Catching Up

It's been four weeks since my bike accident and I'm finally feeling normal.  That was some killer concussion and I hope I don't have to go through one again.  Four weeks of having your marbles rattled takes it toll.  I've learned to appreciate how complex our brains really are.

I'm torn on that bike I used though.  Part of me wonders if I could ever trust the brakes on it again and should I sell it.  However; if I sell it, I don't have a mountain bike to ride.  She's a great bike, I'm just scared to use her.  What do you guys think?

I have been riding my fat bike, the Salsa Mukluk.  It's been a blast and I did a 20 mile trip with it last week.  Even though it looks slow and cumbersome, it's not and I love it.  I wish I could afford different tires.  I'd love some Surly Nates, but they are something like 100 bucks a tire.
 

I spent today cleaning out the garage looking for bike parts and organizing things.  It still looks like a disaster, but it's more organized.  Sort of like my fabric stash..LOL.

Oh..I hiked 4 miles the other day at the local state park.  I've never hiked more than 1/2 mile without wanting to throw up.  I had a great time with my daughter and between my inhaler and riding bikes, my stamina and strength has improved beyond anything I ever dreamed.

I am NOT Crazy..LOL

Sorry it's been awhile.  I am alive.  Been taking it easy with my head.  It's been a little over two weeks and I'm still working on "normal".  Some days are good and others are "sleep all day" because you did too much the day before.  

At least I have a pair of glasses now so I can see.  

I have done a little bit of piecing and will put a pic up soon. 

Cycling:

However; I am NOT crazy.  That crash I had two weeks ago was because of bad brakes.  I took the bike in after the crash to see if there was something wrong with the bike over a week ago.  Picked up today and was told the bike was just fine.  Scratching my badly bruised head, I wonder if I really did go over due to my own stupidity and lack of experience.  

I took the bike out on the road in front of my house, hit the back brake and slid down the road.  Nothing worked despite how hard I pressed the levers.  I'm not skidding, just sliding like I would on ice.  What???  Did you not even check the brakes while it was there?  LBS said they were backed up for weeks so I enlisted the help of YouTube and a mountain bike forum.  After the LBS version of "checking" my brakes, I'll do it myself.

I am not mechanically gifted...at least with bikes.  Disc brakes are harder to work on than regular rim brakes.  I finally figured out how to get the pads out and checked them over.  You can't contaminate the pads so you use isopropyl alcohol to clean them.  Got the dirt off the pads and the rotor and installed them again.  Next you have to "burn" the pads to the rotor by using the brakes over and over..or something like that.  

I have the brakes working better, but not perfect.  It took me all afternoon to figure this out via videos and the great guys on the forum.  My back finally said "I quit" and I'll finish up tomorrow.

Here's what disc brakes look like and the pads:  

      

Now it looks like I just need to make adjustments with the cable and the calipers.  Something like that anyway.

I do find doing your own work rather satisfying.  Once I figure this out and the lightbulb stops flickering I'll be a pro.

I must be down to two helmets going around my head instead of ten because I've realized my house is a disaster pit, we need groceries, my rose bush that I bought is nearly dead because it didn't get planted and I understand the English language again.  Now I need to remember that just because you feel better doesn't mean you are better.

What I wish I had thought of was to go to Lenscrafters and get a pair of glasses.  Duh.  DH didn't think of that either so my new pair will show up whenever they get here.  I think I picked out a nice pair.  At least I hope I did.

I finally got a look at my helmet.  Yup.  Nice crack all down the foam.  Hopefully you can see it from the picture:

Dang thing was awfully expensive, but worth it in the end.  May she rest in pieces.

BTW, I would LOVE to know how fast I was going before I ate dirt.  I had to be doing at least 10-15 mph on that bike.  My son said it was most awesome thing he'd ever seen me do.   He even said the news vans showed up and talked to him but didn't have their cameras.  I figure since I didn't come out on a board all beat up, I wasn't worth a news story.  I guess they didn't need a "Hey kids wear your brain bucket" news story.  


I forgot to mention that I picked up Geta Grama's book, "Shadow Trapunto Quilts" from Amazon.com a couple of weeks ago.  Worth the purchase and I can't wait to try out her technique.  When I can use scissors without wondering what I'm holding in my hand, I'll be making one her projects.  She's got a wonderful blog that I can't remember the name of right now, but definitely check her out.

Every once in a while I get the desire to write a quilting book.  Then I realize I don't know what to write about and then would anyone even be interested?  I'll put the book idea on my never ending bucket list.

Saw The Doc

Saw the doc today.  He said my brain would get better, it just takes time.  It's been 4 days and I'm still out of it.  I'm much better than I was Thursday but it's slow going.  I get tired really fast after doing stuff.  Just going to the dentist wiped me out for several hours.

I did get several blocks done for the log cabin quilt yesterday, but my brain has said "no way" today.

Time to head to bed.  My brain has had enough for now.

Crashed

I went over my handlebars yesterday.  I went down a hill, over a dip and realized too late that the trail made a turn.  In a desperate attempt to slow down, I accidentally hit both brakes, flipped over and landed face first.

EMS said if I hadn't of had my helmet, I'd probably be dead due to a fractured skull, head trauma or at least dealing with surgery.  When they did a CT scan, it looked like I had a really small amount of bleeding and they kept me overnight.  They did another CT scan in the morning and everything looked fine.  I just have a concussion, bumps, some bruises and a sore face.  Doc said to keep an eye on my pain and if anything changes, go back to the doc.

Once I realized I was airborne the only thought going through my head was I was going to break my nose and bruise up my face.  Thankfully; despite the hard landing, the dirt was soft so I did a "plop" into the dirt instead of skidding down the trail.

I lost my glasses and a cell phone despite all the looking my son and DH did.

My son was great at calling 911 and guiding the EMS to where we were at.  I'm proud of him for remaining calm and keeping me from trying to get back to the car.  It's funny how even though you know you shouldn't leave the area, your brain just isn't comprehending things.

First thing I'm adding to my pack is a whistle so I can be found faster.



 

Log Cabin Quilt and New Shoes

Not sure I like this new Blogger.  Maybe I should hit Wordpress.  I just worry about losing everything.

I pulled out an old project today and started making more blocks.  It's been forever since I worked on it and finally felt in the mood.  I decided to drop the pink and brown block border which will make this project SO much easier.  Sometimes you have to drop out parts of a quilt that you don't like or don't feel like doing.  Give yourself permission to do this.  It will make your projects much easier and more enjoyable.  I also decided to do the twin size because there's no way I'll ever sew up 17000 something pieces of fabric in this lifetime.

Progress so far:

The top part has been already sewn together for some time.  I finished up sewing one last row, did blocks for the next row and a couple of blocks for the one below it.

The first picture has one row of circles done.  I need three circles across and four rows down to make the quilt.  It's gonna be awhile before this gets done.  I put up pink fabric to see if it would work for a border.  Not really, but it gives some inspiration and I'll keep playing.


Cycling:


I had a chance to really use my new shoes for the first time.  These are for clipless pedals and have cleats on the bottom that click into the pedals.  They are super sweet and really comfortable.  What I'd like to know is how come my cleats are so beat up after a couple of uses.

Note:  These are not made for walking in.  You can see all the scuff marks on the bottom and that's just a couple of times walking to the bike.  Bring a pair of tennis shoes as a back up plan if end up walking home for some reason.

I'm sure most people know this, but if you are outside doing something "outdoorsy" in the heat, please know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  I only did 14 miles yesterday at 10 mph, but you'd be surprised at how bad the heat sucks you physically and emotionally at 87 degrees.  Even though I had plenty of water, Gatorade and some food, I could still feel the effects.  I'm glad I turned around when I did yesterday or I'd have been worse off.  Please stay safe outside.  Hot days are better spent indoors piecing quilts.

Mountain Biking

Yes!  Finally made it out to Swanson Park for mountain biking on Saturday.  I debated taking the Mukluk but chose my Mamba instead.  I'm still not strong enough to handle the Mukluk up hills.

Surprising DH decided to come along.  He got his bike ready and my son joined in.

Now I know I suck.  I just didn't know how bad until I went through the trail.  I wish I had pictures or a video to show the bad parts for everyone's amusement, but the 29er and I really struggled with control.  I sideswiped a pine tree while attempting to follow the trail, almost slid off part of an embankment, kept rolling off the trail that was indented and nearly caused DH to crash multiple times as I would have to stop and he'd have to brake to miss me.

The hardest part was lack of air.  I'd do just fine until my lungs would start screaming..usually going up a hill and I'd end up stopping midway.  Starting to ride a bike uphill halfway up is torture and given a 29er needs more power to start, I was once again dying when I got to the top.  I'm glad I didn't bring the Mukluk.

Now go figure.  My DH who has a full suspension 26er was riding along with grace and finesse behind me.  I look like a giraffe on giant wheels out of control praying I don't crash and he's humming along just fine.  I swear guys are just built for doing stuff like this even if they've never done it before.  He's not even breathing that hard up hills.  This is from the guy that hates dirt, camping, and anything else that has to do with outside.

Now, on downhill straights, the 29er was amazing.  I think I even got some air time going up a small hill.    Get some speed going down and go up with ease on smaller hills.  A 29er rolls over everything as well.  The couple of logs I went over were easy and so were the roots.  It's the stupid curves that got me every time as the turning radius on a 29er is not on a dime.

Part of me wonders if I should invest in a 26er.  Then I'd be a giraffe with my knees up to the handlebars praying I don't crash.  


If I can ride a mountain bike trail even if I suck, anyone can.  Get a mountain bike and head out to your nearest trail.  If you can free motion quilt, you can handle a trail as you just think of your bike like a needle going around on the quilt top.