Figuratively my body. Why I call Bend a “Repair Stop”. I have done enough time and made connections here to go to providers, I am an established patient / customer. Van has new remanufactured transmission and drive shaft to enable its true 284,000 miles nature. Import Performance here is the van’s care giver with its history. I am known at chosen bike shops, The Hub Cyclist is the Revel dealer plus fixers of bike woes. Medical community: I’m am established patient now which opens access to specialists to further care. Elbow Dave is preferred PT as needed. Dentist.
Wobbling:
My headache continues. Head to be CT examined next week. Soon to be requested is Ears, Nose, Throat exam. appointment will be when? How far out? Presently on short term steroid to see if relieves pain from possible sinus infection. Head ache is annoying but not limiting or having a noticeable effect.
Big WOBBLE:
During Sunday’s solo ride up on Road 44 trails I tore a meniscus on my right knee. Maybe for years this knee would sometimes act like it was compressed like a finger that would respond by pulling on it. My leg seemed that way at times that if I would extend my leg the leg would “grow”. Suffice it to write that it has had a history of popping sounds. Mostly noticeable when pedaling with seat lowered and englishing a turn. which is when the tear occurred. Pain low level, no swelling or locking, or tenderness. Just pain. I rode Storm King climb etc listening to pain signals of which there was a slight almost constant pedaling burn. I needed qualified medical evaluation.
Discovery:
A local orthopedic clinic has an urgent care clinic to which I entered their system, now treated as a patient, on Thurs after laundry. X Rays taken and examined. PA manipulated my leg, learned of what might have happened, and read X Rays. 1) said my knees are in excellent condition for my age, knee is stable. One clinical move he made caused pain and grit. 2) Short story is I have a small meniscus tear on right knee. Suggestion is to leave well enough alone to learn if my to be gentler care will heal the tear. If not a look under the hood by MRI. I googled condition finding and reading many of them. Their take was see if tear heals, only if stronger knee signals are sent such as locking or swelling would suggest MRI. Treatment for me is to rest it 4 to 6 weeks.
Treatment:
Stay off my feet as a steady state and not use my leg. Maybe use it but at lower stress performance. Today I rode a piece of Catch and Release from anchor spot out and back listening to my knee. I have low level pain now this evening. Will the tear heal under reduced ride time maybe every other day and shorter miles. Or, will I really have to drop anchor and recover?
Prognosis:
I need to occupy my time from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. Mountain biking has been that time consumer and to the exclusion of just about everything else. I read a bit. I have completed three extended recovery episodes so I have experience. This one is giving me the willies as it affects my legs and my mobility. I am able to amuse myself in the small space of my van, carrying water is possible issue. Getting it is also added. I could anchor on my property to sit which spends no $ on expensive diesel. I could road trip tourist and spend money. Fall is here, winter is coming on. Bend is easy living.
To do:
Ride less frequently, shorter distances. And only pedal when seat fully up and don’t english leg moves.
Still in upper 70s here and chilling enough for heater supplied comfort. 8:23 PM, 3932′ the temp is 53 degrees. No wind. Open side door that I will now slide shut and switch on heater at lower setting. Sundown 6:09, sunrise 7:03. October 7.
Cedar Creek fire is becoming more contained which is reducing number of fire putter outers. This fire is more create defensible space and let fire burn to it, back fire as conditions permit. Not all of periphery, there was line created either my backs or machines. Lots of fuel and steep terrain. Oakridge trails will be west of town. Appears that Dead Mountain trail burned again, hence the mountain’s name. Waldo is toast.
This spring after I destroyed my SRAM GX derailleur, it was replaced by SRAM NX, a lower level part. It is what it was as putting it on allowed me to ride the next day. And a bunch more. I put up with its slower shifting and more overshifting then back shifting to get the gear I wanted. I asked The Hub TJ to order and install a GX. Today I rode the GX. The ride was as great as driving the Sprinter with its remanufactured transmission. I knew what I had, I knew what I lost in the replacement, and I am reacquainted with what I knew.
So, that is all for tonight.