(
click on any photo to enlarge) October brings on Cyclocross season and as the leaves begin to fall I get the itch to actually train and race. During the summer months when everyone else is racing their bikes I am either too busy with work or wandering around the Sierra with my wife and hiking friends. Last year I raced 'Cross only one time and managed to get kicked in the calf on a run-up that had me immobile for the month of December. This year I wanted to redeem myself and started training in September with hopes that I wasn't too old to still win races. My first race happened to fall on the first Sunday in October which was my 45th birthday. I managed to talk Christi into going with me and I had a good day taking the win. It was a great way to start the season! That gave me a bit of confidence and I continued racing every weekend with good results. Heading into the first weekend in November, I was leading the Sacramento CX Series and second overall in the Bay Area Super Prestige Series. The third race of the Sac Series was on Nov 6 and I drove the 2 hours down the hill to continue my winning ways (or so I thought). The course suited me very well with lots of muddy, off-camber grass.
The gun went off and I went to the front for the first couple of laps. I let a couple of guys go around me as not to do too much work early on. Then, of course, the second place rider promptly crashed right in front of me. I got around him but the first place rider opened up a small gap. It took me a couple of laps to reel him in and with 3 laps to go I caught and passed him.
I felt strong and really felt I was gonna ride to the win. That was the rock I perished on. On an off-camber slippery section my back wheel slid out from under me. Normally not an issue. This time my left shoe got caught in the mud underneath me and I fell awkwardly. I instantly knew I was in trouble. I heard a loud 'POP' and saw that my foot was 180 degrees turned backward on my lower leg. Well I managed to dis-locate my ankle but the worst of it is I spiral fractured my fibula. Talk about a fluke accident - I couldn't do it again if I tried. Anyway I didn't want to go to the hospital in Sacramento so I endured a very painful drive home to Reno. Luckily one of my friends, Jenny Frayer, let me drive her automatic Subaru while she followed me all the way home to the ER in my stickshift truck. (Thanks Jenny!) I knew well before the Dr. came in with the x-rays that it was broken. There is no pain like broken bone pain. I consulted a few of my Orthopedic surgeon friends, and I chose to have it screwed and plated back together. Luckily the surgery was successful and I now have more metal in my body!
So obviously this put an abrupt end to my 'Cross season. This is one of the risks you have to accept if you want to go fast in races. You'd think I'd learn my lesson. Obviously I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I have 4-6 weeks of non-weight bearing before I can start rehab and then hopefully get on my skis. Wish me luck!
(click on any photo to enlarge) October brings on Cyclocross season and as the leaves begin to fall I get the itch to actually train and race. During the summer months when everyone else is racing their bikes I am either too busy with work or wandering around the Sierra with my wife and hiking friends. Last year I raced 'Cross only one time and managed to get kicked in the calf on a run-up that had me immobile for the month of December. This year I wanted to redeem myself and started training in September with hopes that I wasn't too old to still win races. My first race happened to fall on the first Sunday in October which was my 45th birthday. I managed to talk Christi into going with me and I had a good day taking the win. It was a great way to start the season! That gave me a bit of confidence and I continued racing every weekend with good results. Heading into the first weekend in November, I was leading the Sacramento CX Series and second overall in the Bay Area Super Prestige Series. The third race of the Sac Series was on Nov 6 and I drove the 2 hours down the hill to continue my winning ways (or so I thought). The course suited me very well with lots of muddy, off-camber grass.
The gun went off and I went to the front for the first couple of laps. I let a couple of guys go around me as not to do too much work early on. Then, of course, the second place rider promptly crashed right in front of me. I got around him but the first place rider opened up a small gap. It took me a couple of laps to reel him in and with 3 laps to go I caught and passed him.
I felt strong and really felt I was gonna ride to the win. That was the rock I perished on. On an off-camber slippery section my back wheel slid out from under me. Normally not an issue. This time my left shoe got caught in the mud underneath me and I fell awkwardly. I instantly knew I was in trouble. I heard a loud 'POP' and saw that my foot was 180 degrees turned backward on my lower leg. Well I managed to dis-locate my ankle but the worst of it is I spiral fractured my fibula. Talk about a fluke accident - I couldn't do it again if I tried. Anyway I didn't want to go to the hospital in Sacramento so I endured a very painful drive home to Reno. Luckily one of my friends, Jenny Frayer, let me drive her automatic Subaru while she followed me all the way home to the ER in my stickshift truck. (Thanks Jenny!) I knew well before the Dr. came in with the x-rays that it was broken. There is no pain like broken bone pain. I consulted a few of my Orthopedic surgeon friends, and I chose to have it screwed and plated back together. Luckily the surgery was successful and I now have more metal in my body!
So obviously this put an abrupt end to my 'Cross season. This is one of the risks you have to accept if you want to go fast in races. You'd think I'd learn my lesson. Obviously I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I have 4-6 weeks of non-weight bearing before I can start rehab and then hopefully get on my skis. Wish me luck!
