Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

cDSC_3891
Originally uploaded by cyoas55

The last couple of weeks have been frustrating for my knee pain. It has progressed to the point where I had another MRI last Friday. This required another trip to the Orthopedic Surgeon for a consult on my "degenerative" and "arthritic" knee condition.

I am somewhat depressed about all this as it seems like there will be no fix, just the downward slide. I guess I am not 18 any more. I am not happy with that fact.

The weekend I spent riding up and down the hills of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Lakeshore perhaps aggravated it and is now resulting in the increase in the pain.

The riding in the National Park area is great because the roads are in excellent condition and for the most part have paved shoulders. I love the challenge of the climb up and the flying down the backside. One really great climb takes you up almost 650 feet from the shore of Glen Lake heading south. From the peak of this hill it is another 5 miles along M-22 into Empire mostly downhill. Flying down the road!

The visit to the OS resulted in a discussion concerning cutting into my knee with the scope for shaving and clipping. I am not ready for that yet. Since once the cartilage is taken out, it does not grow back. I did opt for a cortisone shot into the knee synovial capsule. I was not prepared for this. I guess I am a wimp. I don't mind the occasional injection but this was going to go way in there.

The worst part was when I kind of tensed up during the insertion. The doctor told me I had to relax my quads so he could move the needle around. OK, that makes it easier.

Well, its now been about two days since the injection. The knee is swollen but the pain seems to have subsided. I will wait one more day and then try a ride on Tuesday.

I hope this improves before the ski season gets here!

Riding the Waves at Lake Michigan

My Hotness and her Mary!
Originally uploaded by cyoas55

This was an excellent day at the Buchanan Street beach on Lake Michigan just south of Grand Haven. The wind was blowing nicely out of the SW giving us some great waves for body surfing.

The public beach access is restricted to the same width as the road that ends at the Lake. The throngs are constricted between two bright orange plastic fences. It gives everyone that togetherness feeling. Especially when it is windy and the towels filled with sand are shaken out to the enjoyment of all those down wind.

The Lake was in great shape today. Mid-70's temperature and 4-5 foot waves. The current going north up the shore felt like it was about 4-5 knots. When you are working your way out through the waves to get to the head of the waves you have to dig your toes and fingers into the sand of the Lake bottom. It does a good job of cleaning any dirt that may be under your nails.

Many waves were ridden. One I got to just a little late and rose up to the top of the curl. I then was slammed to the bottom in the shallow sand bar where the waves break. Oh, that hurt!

I think we were at the beach for over 7 hours.

Lake Michigan in the summer! Take it while you can get it.

Crash!

I managed to put myself into the dirt rather nicely on a recent trip to Fort Custer Recreation Area!

Matt and I traveled down to Kalamazoo, Michigan to watch Andrea and Mackenzie play Lacrosse. After the game was finished we were to do some riding at the Fort Custer Recreation Area mountain bike trails.

I had never been there before and was quite excited as I have heard some good things about the riding there. It is a really nice set of four loops that have ability ratings that will satisfy all but the most radical hucksters. We rode three of the loops that have a nice variety of terrain that is usually on the technical side so the speed is kept to the low side. There are a couple of nice lakes that the trail goes by with excellent views.

On the first loop we did a constructed obstacle is presented for your enjoyment. It consists of a large table that is about four feet off the ground with various ramps going up and down. The first time around I was a little bit to the right of the down ramp I chose. No problem though, we continued on easily.

Then on our last loop lap we decided to do the first one over again. As we came up to the ramps and table, traveling as fast if not faster then the first lap, I thought, I better go left a little to get on the down ramp better. That didn't work! My front wheel just missed the left edge of the ramp. My right fork tip caught the edge though. This caused me to slam down onto the ground sideways. Most of the initial impact was to my head and helmet which plowed up about 10 pounds of dirt. My hands and left knee managed to get quite mangled in the process. Cracked the helmet in three places. Bummer.

The next night, my left hand ring finger began to swell up. I had a heck of a time trying to get my wedding ring off so the swelling would not get worse. I iced my hand for a long time, ibuprophen, and then with some baby oil, I manged to yank off the ring. I think I broke or cracked the lower phalange of that finger as it is still swollen and I cannot get thee ring back on. I have resorted to using my old dog tag chain and wearing it around my neck.

I have secured a new Giro Ionis helmet. It is awesome. Fits my head much better then the smashed Atmos and is much more quiet while riding.

Perhaps a lesson has been learned about chasing 22 year olds through the woods? Naw!

Summer is Progressing!

Summer is Michigan is always a variable affair. We are now mid-way through August and we have heat! I think we have had the AC on only about three days this whole summer. Amazing!

The great fun activities of the area have come upon us and we have conquered them! The Coast Guard Festival was an event that seems to just get bigger every year. We managed to attend the parade and a great party in the evening for the fire works.



Later in the evening we made it to a friend's house up above the river and the Dairy Treat to party and watch the fire works. This trip was accomplished on the bikes with the ehlp of our lights. Its a great way to gt around on the last Saturday of the Festival as the traffic is so bad it takes hours to get everyone out of town after ward. It takes us about 20 minutes to ride home. Cool!



It seems now that August is here its all about getting ready for school to begin. The athletes are in training, the band is practicing and the side walk sale are on down town.

Perhaps some better economic news will give us a boost in the job market. More soon!