Sesamoid Street

"This injury is self-limiting and does not usually require cessation of activity. Modification of shoe wear, correction of the causes, and modifications in activity will allow the patient to continue some level of participation."
quoted from Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries by Peggy A. Houglum page 810.

So, I'm taking that as I probably won't completely mame myself in the process of being thick headed. As long as I can bear weight/pressure on my foot, I'll pedal on. I'll let that be my limiting factor. I'm resting, elevating, NSAID-ing, and limiting activity hoping to be nearer to 80% before Friday.

"Treatment includes relieving the inflammation and correcting the underlying cause. [...] A pad or orthotic with a cutout for the first ray and with an extension pad to the second metatarsal head and toe can help to reduce the stress on the sesamoids. Placing the foot in a rigid-soled shoe also limits the stress applied to the sesamoids. "
quoted from Therapeutic Exercise for Musculoskeletal Injuries by Peggy A. Houglum page 810.

Wearing my cycling shoes was the first thing I noticed felt better about my foot. Walking barefoot is out of the question. Sandals, too, are out of the question. Running shoes with an extra pad under my 4 other toe joints is bearable, but my cycling shoes with Swiftwick wool socks (ole's don't provide enough cushion for this) and a make shift pad under my insole feels the best. I guess if I can't break in the shoes by riding, I can at least break them in while working at the computer.


Pushing down on the pedals still aggravates the injury, but I'm hopeful it'll be less so in a couple days as long as I don't do anything stupid between now and then. Yeah, I'm screwed.

The Princess and the Pea-Shaped Sesamoids

source: footphysicians.com

I have severely agitated and inflamed the ball of my foot (much like I do most friends). The pain feels like there is a large sharp rock taped to the ball of my foot whenever I stand or walk. No weight or movement of the foot and it's just a minor ache. Putting weight on it - such as pedaling, standing, absorbing shocks through the pedals - and my foot is alighted with pain. Hello sesamoiditis.

"A sesamoid is a bone embedded in a tendon. Sesamoids are found in several joints in the body. In the foot, the sesamoids are two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint.

Acting as a pulley for tendons, the sesamoids help the big toe move normally and provide leverage when the big toe “pushes off” during walking and running. The sesamoids also serve as a weightbearing surface for the first metatarsal bone (the long bone connected to the big toe), absorbing the weight placed on the ball of the foot when walking, running, and jumping." (source: footphysicians.com)

PMBAR's rocky hike-a-bikes in aging shoes started the ache. DSG's hike-a-muck with the same aging shoes who's cleat back plate pressed through the insole of my shoe added to the damage. While last Sunday's ride in even older flexier shoes put the final nail in the coffin. Essentially I have tendinitis in a very bad spot for cycling - the main connection point to the bike.

source: footphysicians.com

Great. This is going to make gritting through the 205 miles of Dirty Kanza even grittier. Considering the 1/4 mile or so gravel drive to the barn hurt like hell, I'm getting aggravated. No riding this week. Hoping it'll heal up some by Friday. We'll see.

Good news though, I think the new cycling shoes fit and their stiffness helps limit the flexing of my sore joint. Combined with my current work load, I really don't have time to get out for rides anyway so being forced behind a desk is probably a good thing. I just hope it heals up enough to allow me to bear weight on it and only be a minor teeth grinding pain at DK. Fingers and sore toes crossed...

Another Moots Is Born

One happy kid: Monster on his new MootoX

I got an email followed up with an excited phone call from Monster Friday afternoon, his Moots MootoX had shown up at his door 6 weeks to the day it was ordered. Precisely as promised. Knowing it was a holiday weekend, he wasn't hopeful that my 'build party when it arrived' offer would be redeemable. I told him Saturday would be good and the only thing I didn't have the tools for was to press in the headset. I could remove it (if gRant ever returned anything) but he'd need a shop to press it in. He quickly made some calls. He was told he could drop off his frame and get it Tuesday from one shop and pickup on Weds/Thursday from another. $50 to press it in too. WTF?!!! To press in a headset? $20 sure, $15 more like it, but $50? That's nearly half the price of the headset!!! By the time the service ticket was written up the headset could have been installed.

Eastside to the rescue again. A 10 minute job, took 10 minutes and a new customer left happy and will most likely become a regular customer. It's not like he asked for a wheel to get built up on the spot or a complete overhaul. Just press in a headset. I know service is the bread and butter for bike shops, but where's the service in making a customer wait 3-5 days for a 10 minute job? It would be cool to have a shop that has a work space you can use for a nominal fee. $25 bucks/half hour to bring your bike into the renta-space and press in a headset, true a wheel, chase and face, or install a new fork yourself with proper tools that cost a lot and most people don't really need to own. That'd help pay for the tools, bring customers in (who doesn't get mid-build and realize they need something or get the buy it now bug by hanging around the shop?), and keep the shop's mechanic open to bigger jobs, and still bring in near cost per hour shop fees without having to do anything but provide the resources.

Heck, maybe I can rent out space from a shop, much like how hair dressers work. Change tubes, press in headsets, maybe shine some shoes, make coffee... but I digress. This is about Monster and his new MootoX slider.

So, thanks to Eastside Cycles, Monster has time to get a few rides in to dial in his new bike this weekend in time for his 205 mile Dirty Kanza attempt next weekend.

Mmm... Mootylicious

Scott showed up Saturday morning with new frame, old frame, and a box of parts in tow. I set up shop out on the patio since the weather was perfect, and got to work. I cleaned out the bb with a rag and then removed the DSG mud encrusted XT cranks from his Niner and cleaned up the threads of old grease and mud. The cups threaded in easily by hand all the way to tight, so I twisted them out, applied a little ti prep and re-installed the bottom bracket. Then cleaned and checked the chainring and bolts. Scott's bent 2 chainrings already, we don't call him Monster for nothing.

Next we set in the rear wheel and I put the new chain on and I showed Scott how to setup the sliders and tension. Knowing Scott's propensity for having chain drop issues, I let him borrow my backup set of thumb screws and allen head tensioner bolts. That'll allow us to carry one less tool in Kanza and make any road side chain tension issues that much easier. I highly doubt he'll have any issues, but this is Scott we're talking about. If it'll happen to anybody, it'll happen to him.

Somethings borrowed, nothing blue

Not having the little gadgety replacement dealios needed to remove the hydro line from his XT brakes to run through the guides, we opted to setup my spare BB7 in the rear to get him rolling for Kanza. Plenty of stopping power and no worries about needing to bleed, refill, or replace anything. Plus they make a great Turkey caller when wet or dusty. GOBBLEGOBBLEGOBBLE

It's like building a bike around a 4 year old, I couldn't turn my back for a second.

gRant called to check in on the progress and chat about the brakes (we still hadn't completely decided to go cable or not at that point) and I turned my back for a second only to turn back and see Monster wielding tools and twisting things!!! Damn kids. I felt confident letting him install his grips, but I went back over the other adjustments he made just to be sure. Twice.

What goes up...

gets to come down! Wheeee!

Proud papa: Monster and his new baby (we lowered the bars shortly after the photo)

The cockpit. Let's hope his "ring" stays tight this Kanza.

mmm... Mike loves the squid

Post build, Scott treated me to a celebratory lunch. I treated him to Papa Chen's. $9 buffet with a hibachi grill and sushi bar, and good sushi too. I'd put it on par with Peter's in Brentwood (for those locals who know), but not costing $45-50 to get full. Besides 6 bars of food, they have a wide assortment of deserts too, as Monster sampled. Squish and 8Ball, I think this kid could put both of you under the table. The photo below was taken after of 2 (maybe even 3) large plates of food. And he still had room when we left! Take that drunk Mike!

Levi refueling for the next Giro stage

We set him up on the trainer and adjusted the saddle position, then I sent him up (literally up) the road to give it a test spin. Scott was so excited and impress with how well the Moots fit and road. I have to admit he looked better positioned on it than he had on his last bike and the handling was spot on. Those of you who know how it was for him before, watch out cuz Monster is gonna be... well... a monster. A great handling bike that fits is going to make the rest of us have to work harder to keep up (dammit!). On the bright side, it's not far off from my bike's measurements either, so if a bull goes for round two at Kanza, I can just take Scott's bike from him and ride on comfortably.

Congrats Scott! Enjoy the new ride and remember: Don't touch anything!!!

Shoe-riffic

Tiny details, the miniscule Mavic label thing is stitched in, not glued on.

Brown delivered my new shoe mittens today. OK, they aren't shoe mittens, but Matt and Travis Braun I will have shoe mittens one day... one day. So brown delivered my new shoes today and I set about trying them on, ever leery of a 44 really being a 44 like brand X or Y's 44. The toe box is a little tighter than my old Pearl Izumi's but not cramped like a Shimano (to my foot). Size wise, they are pretty good. Snug, but not too snug and room enough for a thick wool sock. These are my first buckle shoes so naturally I'm waiting for the buckle to fail, break, stick. It's sure to happen right?

extra brass plates and toe spikes, I've never had toe spikes, were included

After sitting around wearing them to make sure they fit, I went about mounting the cleats on for a test spin around the neighborhood (can't return them after cleats are mounted). They are much stiffer than the Pearls and the rubber soles rock, no more slipping and sliding on the linoleum floor, which should make wet rocky hike-a-bikes less puckering. The right shoe feels like a slipper. The left one I'm not so sure about. My left foot is wider than my right (I attribute it to skate boarding through adolescence as it was my pushing foot) and towards the end of my little test ride my left foot big toe knuckle started to kinda ache. My Sidi's did that only it was the foot arch support digging into my foot and led to some minor irritating nerve damage. This ache seems to be from the bruising of my old shoes at DSG then exacerbated by riding 90+ miles in old flexy shoes on Sunday.

I'm really hoping it's just a sore foot and not the shoe. Riding 205 miles in new shoes that hurt or old old shoes that flex and hurt isn't appealing. But the shoes feel good otherwise. Sunday will allow for another shake down ride and perhaps my foot will have healed up more from the recent abuses. Until then at least I have something to worry about.

And since I can, here is a panoramic of my shoes hanging out in the sun with Dish and Weasel.

there, up on the top step, the tiny specs

And here is a shot of the sky in my backyard. Who could resist getting out on a bike on a day like this?

View from outside my room looking East (you should see the large res shot)

For Mike, krs-1, and Coopsaggo - see I can match when I want to (disregard the red and black sock)

*update: Hey Mike/Jeanie: This matches the pain area and symptoms. Think sesamoiditis is the probable culprit?

Panoram-riffic!

Panorama of the Cumberland River @ Ashland City

My view hasn't changed much the past few days, just bounces between work on the computer screen and the gorgeous blue sky and golden sunshine peaking in from the outside through sliding glass door. Needless to say I've not done anything of note lately. My camera, however, has been learning new tricks. These are the first two attempts from the past weekend. The one of H. and the Gov'na would've been perfect if the software didn't erase Ian's tail. Oh well.

H. and Ian schooling in the field out back

My new shoes should be delivered tomorrow. I'll cleat them up and give them a test ride this weekend when the Rigor and I head up to Clarksville on another equipment shake down ride to a family cookout. Hoping they fit well, otherwise it'll be a long painful 205 miles in Kanza.

Unexpected Results

Swiftwick unveiled their compression cuffs (not sure if that's the technical term or not, but it's what I'm calling them) at DSG. I had taken a prototype pair out to Pisgah for Dicky to shake down during PMBAR and I wore a set at DSG. I've not really needed them while riding as Dicky and others do for wrist support as I've been lucky enough to not experience wrist pain when riding. So wearing them just felt like, well wearing a band on my wrist.


However, being a long time computer programmer, my wrists are pretty sensitive to repetitive stress of using a trackpad, typing, or mousing around. It's only Tuesday and I've already put 30 hours of work in on the computer with many more hours planned behind the keys this week. Last night my wrist started bugging me in that dull aching carpal tunnel way. Normally if I reduce having to angle my wrist up (aka keep it flat) the pain goes away, this time it wasn't going away, it was steadily getting worse.


My Swiftwick compression cuffs were sitting on the table next to me so I slipped one onto my right wrist for the heck of it. Instant relief. Wearing the cuff I have no pain, no ache. Taking it off and the ache starts to return. So I've been wearing it while working and I'm currently pain free. Who'da thunk a cycling design would make computer work better? Now if only Moots would make me a titanium mouse...

Things aren't always as they appear

Take for instance OldGreg's "bike". It appears to be a bike, but closer examination shows a 26'er Soma 4one5 frame with a 29'er SB8 mounted front wheel and a 700cx35 (~27") rear. So what appeared to be a normal bike is really a rare 79'er sighting.


To see if you've been paying attention, let us try another one... Just your average porta potty or perhaps something more...?

CaMOOTsflage

Gravel To Grind :: Switching Gears

With the Snakes, PMBAR, and DSG out of the way, it's time to switch focus from endurance XC to long haul trucker mode. Kanza is coming up. 205 miles of gravel goodness through the Flint Hills area of Kansas. Last year a bent wheel, bull attack, and the boys' gaywhackracks launching bottles every 10 feet tried to stop us, but we still finished. This year I'm hoping to knock 5 hours off my time. Weather, luck, and bovine may still conspire to kick me to the curb, but I'm still shooting for a faster time.

I managed to talk (guilt) some of the guys into joining me on an adventure ride from the house out to White Bluff to spectate at the Monkey Grinder race going on out there then riding home.

First of 2 map checks to find gRant, who wasn't where he thought he was. The second led to finding hidden gravel treasures.

There are asses...

and there are asses.

Amazing views, killer climbs, a rough headwind (from the EAST Neumeyer!! You had it so easy), and some hidden treasure adventure riding made what I feared would be a rather lame route into an amazing epic. I love exploring TN by bike, I've seen so much that I'd never have seen driving a car or taking the highway. I wish I could lead tours for friends and family so they could see and experience the wonders, but I doubt many would enjoy riding so much. My parents still do similar exploration with their long weekend car trips, which is where I inherited the wandering itch, but there's just something magical about doing it on your own power with a topo map and a compass.


After several near 80 degree days we left with overcast skies and a 54 degree morning greeting us. Projected highs of 65 meant a relatively cool day and perfect weather for a long day in the saddle. Mike and OldGreg left with me from the farm while gRant rode from his house with plans to meet up with us near Ashland City. Some private gated roads had him backtracking some and a wrong turn/inability to read a map led to me calling an audible and changing the route. Normally that usually spells disaster in the form of a sucky road, well this turned into my idea of Heaven: a not used in 15 years overgrown, rock strewn, multiple creek crossing fireroad leading up, up, up then down, down, down. Eventually it led out to fast clay packed gravel that serpentined around the Cheatham County Wildlife Management Area (20,000+ acres) and dumped us out on an old back country road that led us into White Bluff (home of Montgomery Bell State Park and 23 mile mtb trail).


The best medicine for clearing one's head and relieving stress. The fork makes the bike handle even better than before. The extra 20mm really brings the bike to life, and I thought it rode great before... can't wait to take it back down Pilot Rock.

Oh, and Dicky, I used your "The Final Countdown" trick to help bring in the troops. Worked like a charm. Oh, and gRant somehow picked up a tree hugging version of Charlie.

Not Forkin' Around

If I'm not at an event, I'm usually holed up at the house. If I venture out it's normally out into the hills and creek side country roads around home or over to Eastside Cycles. I wonder if they have wifi? If I could get work done while hanging out there I might venture out more often. Thanks to Scott and Dan (and Diamond Dave) for all they do. PMBAR fork installed. I was going to sell it since I could really use the money, but I've never had such a fancy fork and chances are I'd never drop the coin for one. I'm glad I decided to put it on, it's friggin' sweet.

How The Arse Got Spackled

Behind the scenes of DSG preparation Thursday Night. Oh, Canada!

A few parting shots (pun intended) as DSG week comes to a close. Thanks again to Clay & Grant, Hunter "slower than Thad but faster than dad" Higgins, Amy and Lucy Higgins for putting up with all of us, Clay's parents, Moots, Swiftwick, SORBA, all the great bike shops (MOAB, EastSide Cycles, Harpeth Bicycles, REI, Sun and Ski, Scott & Cody @ Addictive Cycles, Wood-N-Wave, the Biker's Choice, etc...), Misfit Psycles, Yazoo Brew, Terrapin & Wake Racing, Jeff @ NDesigns, Scott Smith @ Hamilton Creek Brewery, Jeanie @ Vanderbilt Sports Medicine, and all the other great sponsors of this fantastic event. See you in '10.

Dicky is ALWAYS prepared for the ever elusive Playgirl photo op. Perhaps a little too prepared.

Joe "Got Ham?" Maloney and Ham.

Dude, the toblerone! The toblerone!!!

H. soldiering on to finish her lap and Chicking dudes.

Hanging out amongst friends (photo Bryan Bloebaum)