2 for the price of 1

Today I managed to get 2 rides in. I rode home from work for the first time this year and felt pretty good considering I was carrying a good load in my backpack. After getting home, I switched cranksets from my time trial bike to my road bike. I did this because the new frame I'm getting includes longer crank arms & I really need to get used to them. All in all it was a good day to be riding, not much wind and the temperature was great. I'm hoping tomorrow will be more of the same so I can get a good long ride in with the longer cranks. Tune in to see how it goes.

Good news and good ride.

Today went to my family doctor to find out the results of the CT scan I had done last week. He told me that the results were normal but my blood sugar was a bit on the high side so he put me on another medication to help lower it. After getting home, it was too late to ride with the club, so I just went on a solo ride. Pushed it a bit up the climbs but felt good overall. Going to ride home from work tomorrow and see how things go. That's about it for tonight.

Good ride today

Today I was able to ride the Tuesday ride with the bike club. I headed out a bit early to get a head start because I knew they would catch me on the climbs. They caught me just after the second climb, but I wasn't mad at all. I still need to get more climbing in my legs. I waited for the second group and 3 of us rode together for quite awhile. I managed to get a good long pull and was doing anywhere between 20.5 and 23 mph. We managed to run into some of the ladies in the club riding a different route. I was willing to pull them along while the other 2 guys rode off, but they weren't able to keep up with me. I tried to catch the guys ahead of me, but despite hammering it I couldn't catch them before they turned off and I had to head on home. I kept up a pretty good pace on the way home and picked up my average speed a bit. I know I'm going to feel it tomorrow, but I'll go for an easy recovery ride to work out the kinks. That's about all for now, just keep riding.

Oh Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I went to the neurosurgeon today to find out the results of my MRI. The doc told me that the lesion on my brain was quite small and looked benign. So I asked him if I could go out riding and he said it was ok as long as I wore a helmet. I told him that I never get on a bike without one. I went out for an easy ride today and am looking forward to riding with the group tomorrow. We'll just have to see how I feel with the group, not going to try to stay with the hammerheads but I'm going to try to stay with a group or at least one other rider. I'm looking forward to riding the Tour de Cure next month so it's training time to get ready for it. That's about all for now.

Decision has been made

I have made my decision and have decided to ride the trainer for at least one more week. I will see the neurosurgeon next Monday and I hope he will have a better answer as to why I can't ride outdoors other than what MIGHT happen. I really can't have people waiting on me hand and foot to take me places. I use my bike for transportation besides using it for exercise. I feel like a part of me has been taken away for what seems like a lame reason, but I'll follow the doc's directions for now, but can't guarentee how much longer I will follow his directions, seeing as one doc says I can ride outdoor as of right now.

Decisions, decisions......

Well I finally got the results from my EEG and VER tests back from the neuorologist. They told me the results were normal. I asked them about riding out on the road and they said it was ok with them, but they told me that the neurosurgeon's office told them that he didn't want me out on the road because of what might happen. I don't know what to do, I really felt great riding out on the road earlier this week, but I do want to listen to what the doctors tell me to do. I'm having a hard time deciding on what to do. I know what might happen, but the same thing might happen as I'm walking the dog down the road too. It would be easy if both doctors told me to stay off the road, but only one says that, the other says it's ok as long as I wear a helmet (which I always do). Riding the trainer is getting on my nerves when it's a nice day outside. I can handle riding it on bad weather days, but I really want to be outdoors riding. I don't see the neurosurgeon until the 24th. I wonder what he will say when I ask him why I can work on aircraft but not ride outside? I wonder what he'll say if I tell him what I think my boss would say if I told him I can't come into work because of what might happen? I know what my boss would say, better find another job then. I'll let anyone who reads this know what my decision is. Until next time...........

A nice recovery ride

Today was a recovery ride after kind of pushing it yesterday. I tried to meet the CGC group for their Wednesday ride, but I missed them on Tharpe road. I rode to the Bike Store but didn't see anyone on the way there either. I went back down Tharpe and rode the route backwards till I met them. I rode with them until I had to go straight and head back home. It really feels great to be on the road again. I'm just trying to figure how far to ride tomorrow. We'll just have to see how the day goes & just wing it I guess.

First Group Ride of the Year

Today was my first group ride of the year. I did the short version of the Central Georgia Cyclists Tuesday ride. My legs felt the hills early, but then felt better. I actually managed to catch a couple of people on the ride. I kind of pushed it today to see how the legs would be and they weren't too bad. I'm sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow or Thursday. I'll have to go for a recovery ride tomorrow to work out the soreness. Riding up Bible Camp Road didn't hurt as much as usual. I acutally managed to keep up a good cadence up the small hills on that road. That's about all for now, take care everyone.

On the road again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the words to that Willie Nelson song goes "On the road again, just can't wait to get back on the road again" , I decided I have waited long enough to hear from the doctors and I went for a ride today. This was the first time I've been on the road since I left for the Tour of California. It felt so good to get outdoors and I really missed it. I was going stir crazy and driving myself crazy. Riding the wind trainer is ok when the weather is bad, but nothing beats riding out on the road on a beautiful day. I'm going to do it again tomorrow if the weather is nice again. I know the doctors said I shouldn't ride outdoors for 6 months, but I've never had a seizure while riding. So if something happens while I'm riding, I'd rather be doing something I love instead of sitting on the couch. That's about all for now.

What a lousy week it's been

I know it's been a bit since I've updated this thing so forgive me. I had the EEG and VER tests done on the 3rd and ever since then I've been sick. I've been really tired since Tuesday and stayed home from work the past two days. I went to the doctor today and found out I have a case of bronchitis. I can go back to work tomorrow and we'll see about getting on the trainer this weekend. I have to see the neurosurgeon on the 10th to see what he's found out with the last MRI I had done. My family doctor wants me to have a CT scan of my upper body to see if what's in my head didn't start somewhere else. They are going to get back with me on when that will be scheduled. I just hope to get a good night's sleep tonight, haven't been able to sleep well since Tuesday night. That's about all I have for now.

Bikejournal.com

I don't know how many people know about bikejournal.com, but it's a great place to log your miles in. I've been using it for the past couple years and it's much easier to check times for certain routes to compare them and see how your fitness is going. I have a club site for Max Cycling there, just go to clubs after you log in & look for it. Let me know if anyone uses it. Thanks.

I'm Back

It's been awhile since I've updated this. I had another MRI done yesterday with contrast. I haven't heard from the neuorsurgeon, so I guess that's good news so far. I worked the Perry-Roubaix race this weekend and had a great time. I just wanted to say thanks to Don and Angie Bill for giving me a ride to be able to work the race. I managed to get back on the trainer to get some exercise. It actually felt good to even ride that. I have another couple of tests on April 3rd so we'll see how that goes. That's about all I have for now.

Another day another doctor

Today I went and saw the neurosurgeon, Dr. Smisson. He told me today that he wants me to have another MRI to get a better veiw of the mass behind my left eye and the lesion on my brain. I also have to get a copy of the MRI done 5 years ago when I had my last seizure. If the leision is there, they probably won't do anything about it, but if not, they will probably do a biopsy and possibly remove it. If that happens, oh well. Some people can't understand how I can be so calm going through this, but worrying about it will just drive me nuts. There isn't really anything I can do about this, except what the doctors tell me to do. So I don't worry about it because I have no control over it. I'll just keep riding the trainer like I did last night and see what happens when they let me ride outdoors. I'm hanging in there & praying that things go well.

Good News, Bad News Day

Well today I received some good news and some bad news. I went to my neurologist appointment today and he showed me the mass behind my left eye. I have two tests to be done on April 3rd. One is an EEC where they put this goop in your hair, hook up some electrodes, put you in a dark room and flash a strobe at different intensities and frequencies. The other test is a VRE. They stimulate your eyes and determine the response rate of both eyes. The doc said that if the VRE test results were normal we would just monitor the mass behind my eye, but if the results were abnormal, then we would have to decide what the next step would be. The good news is that I can go back to work tomorrow. The bad news is that by Georgia law I have to be seizure free for 6 months before I can drive again. The doc also said I can't ride outdoors for that same time period. It looks like any kind of racing this year is gone to the dogs, but I have plenty of time to get ready for next season. I have to try to put a positive spin on something or I'll be totally depressed. I can ride the trainer for that time period so I'll have to come up with some kind of workout routine for that time period. I'm hanging in there as best as I can.

Back on the bike for now

I managed to get on the wind trainer for over an hour today & the legs actually felt pretty good. It really felt great to be on the bike again. I can tell how much I really missed riding. I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday at 9:45. I'm hoping they can tell me why the seizure happened & what the next step in possibly stopping them will be. I really want to know how soon I can get out on the road & ride, but will ride the trainer for now. I'm hanging in there for the moment.

Not on the road yet

Well I still am unable to ride on the road as of yet. I had the MRI done this past Wednesday & have a neuological consult scheduled for March 15th. I'm hoping that I can get out on the road after that. I guess for now I'll have to ride the trainer & do 2 a days to make up for the fitness I've lost since I went to California. I'm beginning to become frustrated at not being able to take advantage of the beautiful weather we've been having out here, but I'll just have to deal with it. I was hoping to race later this month or early next month, but it doesn't look to promising for that. There is nothing I can do about the situation except let the doctors do what they do best & let them tell me what the next step is. I'll just keep hanging in there the best I can.

Not on the road yet

I am still not on the road as of yet. I had the MRI done & am waiting to hear about the results when I have a neurological consult here on March 15th. I guess until then I'll be riding the trainer. I'm going to try riding twice a day to make up the fitness I've lost since going to California. I just wish the weather wasn't so nice so I wouldn't feel as frustrated as I do at not being able to ride. Not driving isn't bothering me as much as not riding is. I was hoping to race either later this month or early next month, but I'm kind of doubting that as of yet. I'll just have to wait & see what the docs have to say about things & ride the trainer & watch cyclism sundays on OLNTV.

Went to the Doc today

Well today I went to see what my doctor had to say. I have an MRI scheduled for Wednesday @ 1:15pm at the Perry Hospital. After we get the results back we have to make an appointment to see a neurologist. Until then I can't drive & I am home from work at least until March 5th. I might be able to go back to work next Monday. I was told I can't ride outdoors, but can put the bike on the trainer & ride that way. Riding the trainer is better than not being able to ride at all & I'll make the best of the situation. I am finding myself getting tired more easily. I don't know if it's from the medication I'm taking or not exercising for the past week. I'm planning on riding the trainer tomorrow morning with my new cleats. I'll let anyone who reads this know how it goes.

Back From California

Well I'm back from California a bit earlier than I wanted to. I ended up having a seizure the other night after coming back to the hotel in Monterey. I don't know what caused it, but I was told not to do much until I see a doctor here back home. The racing in California was great. The scenery was awesome & it seemed that the racers really loved being there. I managed to get a few autographs. I got Saul Raisin's autograph & pic before the race started in San Francisco. I also got Paul Sherwin's there too. Once we hit Santa Rosa, I got Sean Yates & Johan Bruyneel's autograph seeing as Discovery was staying at the same hotel we were. During each stage of the race, Specialized had an angel blowing kisses to the vehicles & riders during the highest point of that stage. I managed to get my pic taken with the angel. Everyone loved her at each stage. It was a great advertising deal. I'm bummed that I had to leave early, but I can follow the race on cyclingnews & can still keep in contact with the rest of the team. I hope the dr. can find out the cause of the seizure & I'm not off the bike much longer. I'll let everyone know here on the blog how things are going.

finally Got Outside!!!!!!!!!

Today was a GREAT day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I finally got to get out on the road & ride!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It felt great to be outside. I did a 19 mile loop & hammered it the whole way. I managed to average a bit over 20 mph for the route. My legs felt pretty good on the climbs that are on the loop. This is the last time I'll be able to get on the road until the 28th. I'll be in California for the Amgen Tour of California until the 27th. I hope the hotels we stay at have at least a stationary bike to ride so I won't lose that much fitness. I'll try to update during the tour as much as I can. California here I come!!!!!!!!