Two plus years out from getting taken out and having been given some strong hints from physio about things needed to be found out. And between that and being tired of basically going no where an idea came up.
Well I cannot take full credit as some has to go to my friend Cassandra who commented about current group ride behaviour. One thought led to another and memories of the Big Dirty Don Rides with the Don Rats gave more fuel to this idea. This was starting to fall to the Epic Ride territory Of the old Gordo World Tri Forum of 2004. So began the plan. Plus the bonus to this would be a test of how the injuries from 2019 would react to a long ride based on time. Especially with doing this entirely on mtb trails not rail trail .
Also was kind of further encouraged when a few months ago the CBC did a story on the Royal Academy of Octagenarian Cyclists and a comment made about a member who could barely walk yet could ride for four hours no problem.
This BDFR or Big Day would be done at the local MTB clubs trails on private land. And would be every trail there plus a bit more. And unlike the majority of locals this wasn’t a ride to see how fast could do it at all. This was to be with lots of stops to chill for a bit. What a Don Rats ride used to be. So as stated this would be based on time to give a an easier measurable way to mark when things start to happen issues wise. Making it easier to know when things happen.
And with that being said will focus on writing in the times when things started to be triggered and what happened as that is the priority of this Big Day ride. Basically running my own little science experiment to see what the results will be.
In the days leading up to this there was nothing extra done prior. Despite the possibility of it being hot and humid didn’t use any pre cellular hydration protocol like have done in the past for heat and near 40 on the humidex. Pretty much just got extra water in the Ute and what ever for the cooler like pop and the original energy bar Snickers.
August 8th became the day and after parking the Dirtbag Ute with the cache of supplies to reload part way. It was off. Now one has to remember a BDFR or Big Day or Epic Ride isn’t about speed it is about getting time in on the mtb. With the only other rule is one has to try to hit every technical feature the trail has to offer. And this version I was running an experiment to see if there was any limitations that would cause me to lose future activities.
The first hours went by well with nothing to note of injuries being triggered.
At the 3 hours and a bit mark while a bit fatigued there wasn’t anything yet as a thing to take note of. The fatigue part was expected. But a but after things would start to change.
About 20-30 min in kinda noticed certain areas injured in the hit and run had become a bit achy and slightly stiff. While it was initially a minor thing there was the possibility it could steadily get worse.
By the time got to the 4 hour mark the areas of previous injury started to get worse.
At this point was at the view point bench so could pause and assess things injury reaction wise. At this point my lower back was tight and achy. Right shoulder was getting stiff and slightly achy. Neck was stiff as well. And was nothing my right forearm was starting to act up, which as found out with physio is connected in some way to the other injuries.
So it was at this bench ended up taking a long break. Keep in mind that this day was simply to get time out on the bike and see what would develop. So based on that it was going ok and was finding out what other issues might lurking two and a half years later while sitting in limbo for surgery and other medical treatments.
After the break it was another hour and half of riding to the lake to pause and assess again. At this point same spots achy and stiff. With the lower back and right shoulder being the worst.
And at the 6 hour and 25 mark of being out had reached the end point. At this point took final assessment which is that two and a half years later the injuries received in the hit and run have and will effect my activities for the rest of my life. In the end my back, right shoulder, neck, right forearm and right knee now have a time limit. Time limit like going to say Costco or Walmart where I have maybe 25-30 min with standing on man made surfaces. With riding it now cannot exceed about 3 hours depending on weather, temperatures, and other factors when riding trails.
When I thought about it in the days after I was depressed because to be honest it is one more thing taken away from me. And it also depressed me because with my PTSI it effects riding in the woods because that with my PTSI and anxiety for me the woods is a safe place to ride with no fear of vehicles and such. The woods and trails are a safe space to ride because for my mental injuries it doesn't get triggered by people and things.So yes I still am a bit depressed about this because it is one more thing taken away by someone else. That’s being the length of time can do things with out huge rest times. Which adds to the PTSI, anxiety, and depression have had since March 2019 as ongoing mental injury symptoms. And also depressed because feels like a never ending exercise experiment with a not great result.
Though it was nice to have been out for so long and to re-visit some old methods do something other then current status quo that hasn’t been good for my mental injury. Which gave me a chance to do what physio wanted which is test what will happen. Sadly now we know and it will take some time to wrap my head around it all as it has been another blow to me or at least feels like
If you like these adventures please support Team No Fixed Income
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=49330632
Comments