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Kit Cischke's Journal
Ow.
posted by KitC at 01:23 PM on October 02, 2008
I like my job. I teach at Michigan Technological University (and certainly not Michigan Tech University, as that somehow dilutes the impact of the brand? I don't know). As I sit here torturing students with an exam, I get a chance to sit, read news and update my Rider's Journal. Of course, the trade-off of this is that I spend a lot of time at home answering emails from students who can't fathom starting a homework assignment more than 24 hours before it is due.
But as I sit here, I am in a little pain. My son, who I've written about before and I were out for a ride yesterday. As the summer has progressed, our rides have gotten longer, such that he needs at least a mile-long ride to feel satisfied. I was feeling a little tired, but acquiesed to his request to go see the crane that is part of a new construction project across the road. Of course, we are doing this riding at about 5 PM, which is Rush Hour wherever you are. Houghton is no different, even though our traffic volume is lower than most. We found a good hole in traffic and I sent him off and started to follow. He unknowingly cut me off and clipped my front wheel. It all seemed to happen in slow motion. The next thing I know, I'm kneeling in the middle of the street, my bike is down and my left knee really hurts. I get up, grab the bike and run the rest of the way across the street to survey the damage. My pants were torn and I scraped my knee quite badly. I scarfed up the bar tape and plug on the left side of the Tricross. Everything else seemed okay. It was hard finishing up that ride. I was heartened to have a nice girl pull up behind us and see if I was okay. Aside from the pleasant location of our town, it's the people that make it worth living here. So as I sit here, I'm favoring my left knee and hoping it recovers in time for the upcoming 'cross races.
With all the mountain bike training done for the year, I've just been commuting and doing some long road rides (and occasionally hitting the trails for some just "fun" rides). The last couple of weekends I've put in some 2+ hour rides, covering 30-45 miles each outing. It's been a lot of fun to do that, and stretching my way up to even longer rides. Given the proximity of 'cross racing and eventual snowfalls, I don't know that I'll even get a metric century in this year, but it's certainly a goal for next year. The one problem I'm running into with these longer tours is not knowing exactly where I'm going. I really want to pick up a Garmin Edge 705 so i can at least find my way home if I get lost.
Speaking of long rides, I'm still hoping to do a long cycling tour next spring as part of my prep for longer mountain bike races, and prepping for a 100-miler. I was ordering some tights for fall riding and 'cross racing and decided to have Specialized send the racks for the Tricross as well. I'm thinking my best option will still be to ride from here to Oconomowoc while Julie visits with her sister. Google Maps says it's a little over 300 miles from here to there, whcih starts to sound like a really long ways when you have to pedal it!
Other new gear on the way is a pair of tights from Specialized and from Trek. Once the Specialized tights get here, I'll decide which pair to keep. I certainly don't need both, not at $100+ each. After spending some time practicing 'cross mounts last night, I'm more convinced than ever that leg warmers do not work for 'cross. I like the Trek tights (being sent from Wisconsin gets them here first), but will withold judgment until the Specialized tights get here.
New merino wool socks on the way too!
I sent in my registration for the UPCROSS series. Two races are already done, and I'll miss one more this weekend, but I'll be contesting the last four races. Tonight is a practice run on the Keweenaw Cup course at the Tech Trails. and I'm excited to try it. I don't see myself becoming a truly serious 'crosser, at least not yet. It's a fun way to extend the season, but that's about it. Maybe I'll change my mind after the first race.
Today is 10/02, or the day in 1996 when Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with a metastasized testicular cancer. In honor of such, I'm wearing one of my 10//2 shirts. The media coverage of Armstrong's return to pro cycling has gotten almost ridiculous, but I can't escape the fact that I'm really excited. The good thing is I'm finding that I can be a Livestrong supporter, I can be a Armstrong fanboy, and not have to use all the products he endorses. That may be bad news to certain companies, but since Lance retired, I've established some of my own preferences. I'll keep my Specialized shorts, shoes and glasses, thank you. My Tricross is still the best multi-use bike on the market, even if it's not the best 'cross racer. But my heart belongs to Astana and certainly Trek's mountain bikes. So bring me more Lance and Levi and Alberto. Bring me the Livestrong Development Team.
I'm ready for some more long autumn rides. Find the trails and roads and pedal.
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