Yesterday I had my early MRI checking for nerve damage or lack of. Called Joe for ride date. We agreed to meet @ Schultz TH @ noon.
While I was getting ready @ the TH Tomas of Sedona Mtn Bike festival arrived. Joe showed up later and Tomas rode w/ us.
We rode out me trying to keep the other 2 in sight. A climb here and a decent there. Again at the back. Brookbank downhill I stayed behind for a few seconds to watch Joe’s wheel going downhill. This inspired me to ride a bit faster. Then his wheel gapped me and I slowed down to my under control speed. Rocky and rooty descent. Some of the trail went over downed trees w/ a ramp on either side. I rode several of them. One I tried was a drop on the far side w/ a nice roll out. My approach speed was too slow to stop and not fast enough to land flat on the roll out. I ended up doing a nice nose wheely counting on the 150 mm of fork travel to keep my bacon on the bike.
Then we hit a traverse named Jedi, not to be confused w/ Star Wars @ Oakridge, OR. Came to a steep rutted rocky downhill. Previously I corrected the angle of my brake levers and internalized some of the Better ride tips. I made a few feet when I found myself going over my bike,not over the bars because the bike just disappeared from underneath me. Somehow i came free of my pedals. I landed on the palm side of my left hand, my left knee and lower back. The hand was bruised and the others were abraded. I did not hit my head. My edge broke free of its 2 zip ties on my handlebar. I picked myself and bike up. I fell but I did not hit my head was the most important thought running thru my mind. My hand hurt to shift the chain ring grip shift and to brake. About 20 mins later I started getting a severe headache. I walked the next tough parts as my psyche was trashed. Made it back to TH. Joe invited me to his house for a shower and dinner.
At Joe’s I scrubbed off the grime on the abrasions. Joe’s wife, Nancy arrived w/ their 2 daughters. Joe & Nancy are telemarkers. Their kitchen window looks right up @ Mt Humphreys where the ski area is. Enjoyed conversation and dinner. I was concerned about my headache which i could not understand. Drove out to new camp camp spot and worried myself to sleep.
I slept w/ this throbbing headache. Still there when i got up and I felt nauseous. I resigned myself to seeking medical care this AM. I called Joe and canceled out planned morning ride. First stop was an Instantcare. PA saw me and said I need a CT scan to find out if there is bleeding in my skull. Drove to nearby hospital ER where I was admitted. Blood was drawn for my clotting time: I am 1.5 down from 1.9, need some more juice to thin my blood. CT scan performed. DR reviewed results that showed no bleeding. He diagnosed it as a tension headache and prescribed Vicadin. I asked about my shoulder and he said I need to see the ortho guy for eval. I asked if there are symptoms of cerebral bleeding, he said there are none, for every sudden stop I experience I need to have a CT scan to discover if I am bleeding. Released from hospital w/ another ID band for my collection.
Found laundromat on eastern edge of town. Clean clothes Friday the 13th.
Heading east to Gallup, NM