Spring Fever! Sight Seeing.

Oh how I want to ride everywhere again!

(Friend Helena photographs local humor)

Turns out - when you go the speeds I'm able to pedal - you see an awful lot more of your surroundings! I couldn't stop saying... "look at that mossy rock"... "nice mailbox"... "did you see that cave or hole in the rock next to the river?"

I've started at least one ride on the weekend, and have been finding my limits. An easy road ride is it. Flat... any hills are really strenuous on my atrophied leg. My knee and ankle swell immediately after dismounting the bike, and any obstacle that I want to more properly navigate by getting up off the saddle - tweaks my ankle. This is a lesson for me.

The lesson is that these super weak legs of mine - can't hold my body above the saddle. When I'm coaching cycling skills to beginners I try to have them hover above the saddle as long as possible. In general while mountain biking you rarely sit and "ride" the bike, but are with bend knees and hover forward - back - side to side unless it's a climb. I realize now that if somebody has been inactive - as many of my students are, or maybe overweight or simply haven't built up the "S" in Strong, Light and Beautiful... that your time is limited for getting off the saddle. Baby steps for all of us I guess. I am now more sensitive to this and will modify some coaching or length of a clinic potentially, to not wear out future cyclists!

This picture is from a week ago - going up to the end of Steven's Canyon. Normally it's a slow ride that you forget is not level - other than the "going slow" part. Then when you turn around at the end you fly back to the Pierce Rd/Steven's Creek junction with such speed you realize you were climbing that last 1/2 hour! For me... this "climb" actually had me traversing at times. Terry (my husband) had to do the ol' push trick - and put his hand on my back and help me up the steeper little bumps. I think I need to do some more "really flat" rides before trying this one again. As my knee and ankle let me know my limits- and poofed up.

Needless to say, just the act of suiting up - and breathing fresh air, increasing the heart rate, and yapping with friends while sight seeing up a local canyon - has lifted my spirits.

I'm thinking of modifying or purchasing a bike for commuting - to increase my cycling frequency thru potential rains - and get me out for any journey under 3 miles from my home. My current stable is full of more aggressive bikes for a workout, other than my beach cruiser- which is too heavy and not versatile enough for be to make runs to the local stores and get back "up" the mild inclines to my house. YAY... an excuse to get another bike!

Let's not forget... I'm supposed to ride a CENTURY in May!

Still treating ankle and knee

Aaah, a post surgery update for you all!

Even though I felt like progress was accelerating - I'm finding my
limits. Glad to be starting stationary bike and even tried a real bike
ride. Twisting my foot to get in, or most important- out- of my pedal
cleats is not happening properly. I'd say mostly me knee... but
strength is clearly an issue. No, or limited weight baring is my only
option at this point. If this crazy weather passes, I'll get back in
the pool!

I'm so happy to be pushing my limits further, and accept this message
of swollen knee and forced rest.

Acupuncture is part of my recovery- thanks to Steven @ Pacific Healing
Arts in Los Gatos and Raymond Himmel in Mill Valley when I make the
trek. Even more so Curtis Cramblett of Revolutions in Fitness Physical
Therapy, and his fellow P.T. Susan, for their ongoing care, hard work
& advice!

First ride in 19 weeks. Happy 2010!

(here is a link if the post doesn't work http://gallery.me.com/hstolka/100041)

Well my Birthday was likely to be quiet after losing our sweet sweet cat, and travel to New England for Christmas. We thought we'd celebrate New Years Eve w/ a cocktail... maybe a couple friends walk to the closest bar for another... then back home for ringing in the new year and my Birthday. One neighbor led to another... and we partied like it was 1999. This postponed my New Years Day goal of riding a bike again. I finally am able to pedal on a stationary trainer at the gym. Range of motion for both flexion and extension are still not 100%, but enough to adjust the saddle height and do a full pedal.

My friend Helena stopped by my house on a gorgeous California January day - the first 60's, sunshiny-blue-bird of a day for some time now, via her glamorous "dutch bike" (made in Belgium). Fenders, locking system, lights, basket the works. She noticed I had my "cruiser" on the back patio. Still a fun bike, no competing necessary w/ hers; a basket, Cherry Red, fat tires and flat pedals. I had hoped to ride it New Years after lowering the saddle to feel safe, as my leg doesn't extend fully yet.

Anyhow... she said "no time like the present". And away we went. Lowered the seat... and it was like I never left cycling. Sure... I didn't push hard w/ my left, a little timid w/ my new ankle and recovering knee. But if felt FANTASTIC! She made this amazing video that makes it look even more spectacular than it was. Disclaimer... I never recommend riding w/ no helmet. It was a down the big wide, no traffic street I live on... but still no excuses. That bad example aside... this was a beautiful moment and I'm so happy to know I can pedal again. Now time to increase the length rides, and exertion and frequency my friends! I. Am. Back!~

I am Strong, Light and Beautiful and Happy! SLaBh?

Thanks again to Helena for making this lovely tribute to the occasion!

Little One Garrity 1992(ish) - December 24, 2009

The best cat in the world. Didn't speak other than with her eyes or just shook her head which rang her little collar bell. Purr monster. Love monster. Furr monster that we loved very much. December is ending - the Holidays feel strange and sad, and here is hoping that Little One is at peace, and even though we were with her to the end, and watched her struggle for her last breaths - that she is now playing with her previous mom, my friend Cynthia Hurtubis, after her passing. I'm sure they miss eachother as well.

We loved you so much, and were lucky to have the time we did with you Little1! Thanks for loving us back! We miss you in so many ways.

Hug your furry family member today - and a kiss on the head for us and L1.

Post Ride

I can't stop laughing and quoting these guys. Enjoy!

Bike Haiku

A row of bikes hung

awaits my ankle healing
like loyal friendships

Tossing Trash - Talking Trash

Today, like many other, I saw a driver at a light drop a cigarette out window - if it weren't for crutches I'd have done my usual; get out, grab his trash & hand it back!

I've had several experiences handing back trash through the car window. Makes a great impression - but I only do it at a safe intersection w/ lots of witnesses ;-).

1st goober threw entire cigarette box out window w/ plastic after he zoomed off in his safe powerful machine. Next denied they knew it fell out. Next had an interesting conversation w/ car full of male DeAnza College students after they threw food container out.

Another time I stayed parallel on hwy 85 next to a glamorous BMW diva that threw something out. All lanes were empty around us - so I engaged. She was gabbing on phone (pre law against) rolled her window down & I said -"You dropped something or threw something out your window"... she said "what?"... I repeated... she said "SO WHAT!" rolling her eyes... then up the window... then con't on cell. I figure she had to tell the person she was talking what just happened... I hope they scolded her as well.

My husband Terry has grabbed trash while riding and ridden all the way home with it - in the same vane. Usually cyclists are more sensitive - but race habits of tossing gu wrappers still occurs.

I find it incomprehensible - the urge to litter. Your CAR cleanliness is more important than your COMMUNITY or mine? Pshaw.

Now I ease down with my crutches - off soapbox - quietly being hopeful.

Falling into Fall

Thought I'd update my blog with a brief synopsis of the last month. Recovery is slowly happening since my surgery. My cat has had a few emergency's and I'm managing a landscape project at home trying to utilize salvaged bottles and wood. As tradition would have it - we also scared lots of kiddo's in the neighborhood for Halloween!

PHYSICAL THERAPY
The knee seems to be my focus still - even though the ankle was the original problem area on my let leg. The lack of movement for 10 weeks has trained my left leg to be in a contracted position and there is still so much swelling - that it's impairing my goal to start walking again. It's been quite a lesson in patience - as I am able to do a Frankenstein walk with my big black removable cast / boot on... but that only encourages incorrect usage of my leg. I have to get my quads and hamstrings to engage again -and correctly... and get the nasty swelling out. THEN - after that - I can start really working for mobility in my very stiff ankle!

Luckily I have the best PT's around - and now that I finally have permission... ahem... a prescription for Physical Theraypy - we have gotten to work. I'd say the message out the the surgeons world and for other patients of such a proceedure is - start earlier on PT and earlier to move - especially your knee! My surgeon was not interested in this part of the process - only the surgery and bone healing. I could have started sooner and be perhaps... without these pesky crutches now.

LITTLE ONE!
Our wonderful little fur ball has struggled after a sudden onset of "vestibular disease". She was meowing in a panicky way when I found her a few weeks ago in an unusual place in the garden - she never meow except under distress at the Vet's. She is a "silent" kitty w/ only jingling her collar bell when she wants attention! Anyhow... being on crutches is difficult to pick anything up... but she was "stuck" - after lifting her up - she dug her head sideways into my chest... and was acting extremely strange - turning her head in one direction. Seemed like she was having a stroke. It seems that she had suddenly lost balance - a vertigo of sorts. She was grabbing onto anything with her paws - as if she felt she was falling. The major bed spins for a confused animal. She had several days of all day at teh vet... and scared and unable to walk more than a few steps - drunkenly like ZBambie on the ice crossed with a Steve Martin drunk character. It wasn't hard to contain laughter though - as you could tell she was suffering. The Diagnosis of Vestibular Disease seemed to be correct - we waiting for her to slowly recover. 2 days later she had a reaction to an enema that caused her to contract for hours - trying to poo. Emergency vet visit and some pain meds - and another exam to irritate her arthritis later - (oh and a good grand investment later) - she was sad- weak - confused and home again. Good news is she is recovering with another strange new symptom of grinding her teeth - and seems to sneeze like something is stuck in her mouth or right sinus. Yee gads. We love her so much it is easy to do what it takes to care for her. We know she is at least 15 years old - and that she is "elderly" in our world - in her later 70's. But it's just not her time yet. Purring, eating and pooing, following us around and snuggling with us is still on her agenda - so Little One and Terry and I get to spend many more days, weeks, months and maybe years together!

HALLOWEEN
Well what can we say, this year with the added help of friends to help gimpy decorate... we outdid ourselves this year. More spider webs, more large spiders on the house. Good Lighting, a fancy coffin with an amazing skeleton that I was asked if it was REAL! We didn't get as many trick-or-treaters overall - well probably just under 100 - but they came in large groups - which is harder to scare. Our tactics remained the same, although different people took turns on the porch swing. Sit still abnormally long, even as the treaters and their parents question themselves aloud - "that's real... that's not real... look he moved... he got me last year" exclamations of self comforting they would say as they had to stand next to us to ring the doorbell. Terry made one toddler cry - but we all agreed that that one young-on that was in the group of young pre-teens was the sacrificial kid - as the others wouldn't have gotten jumped out at if we stayed concerned with the little one. Anyhow... his parents said it was allright - and the group enjoyed the experience. Thanks again to my neighbors and friends that helped decorate and came and enjoyed Sangria w/ us all!

SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE
I'm in the heart of designing and managing a landscape project of adding a little courtyard on the side of our house to visually expand the house - w/ out expanding the foundation or actual house. A creative way to allow the outside in and see more pretty garden space from the inside. Anyhow - the wall is filled with a design of salvaged bottles I've been collecting for years. Mostly the Blue Water bottles (that I was disspointed to find out they are now PLASTIC at Trader Joes!). The bottles I had intended on making into a chandelier someday - but this was a great opportunity to utilize them right now. Additionally a front gate/fence that starts the courtyard area - I got wood from "Whole House Restoration" in East Palo Alto. I purchase lots from this fabulous salvage yard. They seem to be under different management - and some prices are higher - but there are still many many treasures to be found. Doors and windows seem to be the best deal - but would siding and as in our case - no new trees - especially REDWOOD trees were sacrificed for our fence panels. It breaks my heart to see new houses or houses with new fences go up... and to see they are using redwood. Even the Cedar is so re-usable for the privacy panels in a fence. I hope more people donate their old fences - and more people build with re-using products.

Can't say I'll be on the bike by any certain date. I'm hoping to be walking by this week - but I'm willing to see how my leg does before I scold it for not meeting that deadline as well. Correctly healing is more important.

Cheers from the crutches
Bev

Bicycling Basics - Class at Stanford

I have the privilege of helping teach the first of a multi night class at Stanford University for their "Health Improvement Program" aka HIP! If you are wanting to help introduce a super beginner into the bike world... via commuting, fitness, sport or otherwise... this is a great place to start. Classroom on campus - see details at this registration page: http://hip.stanford.edu/

October 15
Stanford Health Improvement Program 
 “Bicycling Basics for Women’s Confidence and Comfort” 5:30-7:00 pm Contact Stanford’s HIP program to sign up. http://hip.stanford.edu/ or call 723-9649 (I’m teaching day one) - fee $30 for set.

Thanks for your support!

Handcycle success!

Now my recovery is rejuvinated and sanity is saved.

5 weeks today - post surgery

Jolly Green Giant Foot

Hey all - I haven't been blogging as I sorta like to stay positive in this blog - and everyday I have a challenging hour or 2 or 3. Have a whole new respect for wheelchair bound folks and lips of cement on a sidewalk. Crutches, casts, and the ability to get something from the kitchen, then bring it to my desk. Either I'm kicking something along the floor... or I switch to a wheelchair so I can carry, and try not to spill when I go over the bump between the tile and the wood floor. The main focus right now is to keep sanity, get some range of motion in my knee, and decrease swelling. It's been exactly 5 weeks since the doctor "borrowed" bone from my knee, broke my leg - and placed it into my ankle's hole (or lesion). ONE MORE WEEK of no weight... then slowly I start to place some weight on my foot. I can't imagine it will be quick. My foot is so swollen right now... and doesn't move, and my knee can't bend more than 10 degrees, so I don't expect to be walking a week from now. 6 Weeks is the magic bone healing number. My surgeon who doesn't say but a few words ever in an appt, actually looked proud, smiley and giddy when he was advising me to take it easy... as "you are healing from a broken ankle"... "I broke it" he said with a Canary feather smile, "but it is broken".

I got a fantastic call today from an inspirational was a student for SLaB clinics... turned triathlete. She is doing her 2nd Tri this Sunday - a Tinley sprint w/ mtn bike off road for the cycling portion. It's so fantastic to hear from folks that are still riding and training and improving. Gives me hope and a peak into the outside world where people move. Sure I'm less muscle and more fat right now... but somehow I'm going to change that in this next year! I really want to do more skills clinics... and I actually have a class I'm teaching in 10 days at Stanford. It's a classroom class (vs hands on practice), but all about women and women's cycling. That will re-energize me for sure!

Tomorrow I go for my longest drive yet since surgery - up to Mill Valley for Acupuncture. I am hoping to make major headway in ridding myself of this massive swelling. One more week... and I will attempt to add weight. About 4 more weeks until I'm allowed in a pool.

Go ride - because you can! Ride for us who can't!
;-)
Bev

Davis Byrne in SF - long time bicycle advocate

http://www.ecovelo.info/2009/09/29/david-byrne-in-san-francisco-tonight/

• Sent from my high tech portable gadget •

Healing and patience and Interbike blues

Just past the half way point in my 6 weeks of no weight baring life.

Healing from this surgery I knew would be trying... and today I'm tired of needing help for everything. Immobility is a new thing - started early in the year with lots and lots of pain in my left ankle anytime I wanted to walk, jog, hike... press down hard on my left peddle while riding my bike. Physical therapy only mobilized my ankle more... and reared the ugly truth... a huge cyst and hole in my Talus. Now here I am... 3 weeks after a big surgery of my body's bones being drilled/broken or plugged in 3 different places. Send me patience and gratitude for all my friends and family that have been stopping by with food, entertainment and what-nots. Dreaming of better days, future bike rides...

Interbike is a tradition for us bike geeks - check out all the beautiful new gear... find new clothing... see designs... and most of all say hi to all our friends that thru this last decade and a half - all are there from all over the States and World... often still in the industry and just moved over a booth to another brand. Such is the life of staying inside... but moving up and on. It's a fantastic networking place... I find sponsors for SLaB... I find potential graphic design clients there. Sometimes I drink shots with them in a Tequila bar... I tried to hand Lance Armstrong a $5 bill during the Cyclo-cross race... and get signatures or photos with the current pro's. Tons of fun and long days.

*Sigh* - I'll be back dang it! Just have to work thru this recovery! Thanks everybody for constantly commenting humorously on my facebook/twitter comments... it's keeping me alive!

Yikes! Chef James Martin needs to learn a lesson in sharing the road

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2009/09/tesla-motors-perfect-bike-harassing.html

Mom & Son defy (bad) rules and bike to school

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/2009/09/15/mom-son-bike-to-school-state-trooper-awaits/

Wow! Can't believe it came to this... But hooray for the mom/son team
defiance to make a great point!

Pink Floyd Goodbye Blue Sky 9 11 01

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69oS_og-QAE

• Sent from my high tech portable gadget •

Beautiful riding street trials video

Instead of posting ugly pictures of my knee/ankle surgery - I thought I'd post an inspirational video to get you out riding! I'm riding in spirit - but with only 2 weeks down of 6 weeks no weight baring on my leg - I get to only watch for now. Supposedly it's 4 months off the bike, so I might need more mental help from my cycling friend community! Enjoy this vid! - Bev

SLaB ankle surgery update

Hi all! One week down on the recovery side of my ankle surgery. The
last skills clinic went fantastic- and it was only a few days before I
had this huge cast attached to my leg added!

I'm still extremely swollen in the entire left leg- with most
discomfort from my knee - where it donated two "plugs" - which double
what they thought they needed to use- to fill the holes in my ankle /
talus bone.

I'll update more when I can get to my real computer - and max out my
iPhone fun.

Days consist of icing and elevating leg-pain killer frequency
tweaking, upright a few X a day with help from crutches and family or
friends spotting me. Absolutely no weight bearing for 6 weeks.

5 more to go!
I am Strong!
-Bev

Must-Haves and Nice-to-Have basics for cycling equipment / accessories

I came up with a basic list for the Intro to biking class I helped teach at Stanford. I think it would be helpful to many - so am going to post it! Enjoy!

Cancellara's great downhill on stage 7 TDF

Amazing descent by Fabian Cancellara on Stage 7 or the Tour. He needed a bike change, and this is him catching back up. DON'T TRY TO RIDE LIKE THIS! Look at how far he leans his bike over! Can't believe the Motorcyclist with the Cameraman kept up! As my friend says... the motorcycle crew probably needed a change of leathers after this ride! Wow!

Swimming with Zeus in Greece

Just back from an amazing trip to Munich Germany then Athens, Santorini and Zakynthos Greece. Here is a tribute to the lovely dog that was at our villa!

Stanford Wellness Bike Class 7/16 and 7/23

I have the honor of helping teach a short class for Stanford's Health Improvement Program a.k.a. HIP! Sign up if you are interested in joining the class, focussed on the novice, to learn basics about bike fit and types of bikes, and how to jump start commuting and using your bike for errands if not exercise and training! It's a two part class - the 2nd class we'll ride over to a bike shop and discuss the different new technologies and point out must-haves and nice-to-have, or luxury items vs need to have accessories to make your riding and lifestyle be safe and easy! 

See complete course listings here: 

 http://hip.stanford.edu/docs/HIP_Schedule_Summer_2009.pdf

Old injury finally needing attention - Ankle surgery needed

Hi all -
Just thought I'd let you know why I haven't been riding too much lately. I can actually pedal a bike pretty well, its the walking to and from the trail, and hike-a-bikes that hurt me. An old sprain from '99 and '04 has finally started to cause toooo much pain. Some holes in my Talus w/ large cysts filling them are impeding at certain angles , especially painful if pushing down hard and in an incline w/ my foot. (Osteochondral lesions). Attached is a lovely iphone pic from my CT scan showing on the docs computer monitor.

I hope to line up surgery w/ Oakland's Bone and Joint Specialists - Dr. Roger Mann and his son.

If anybody does or doesn't like these guys... let me know! ;-)

Come to Evolution Bike Shop tomorrow June 13, for Demo Day

I'll be chatting with folks about future SLaB skills clinics and helping out in the morning at Evolution Bike shop! Come join the fun as they have demo bikes from Norco and more! Steven's Creek Blvd, across from Elephant Bar... near "Cupertino Square" (ak Valco mall). See you there!

Downieville Carraige House Inn!

Beautiful location and wonderful hosts! Thanks Luz and John Luster!