Grounded!

[Saratoga Dave]

So a little while back I flew in a graceful arc over the handlebars when I didn’t realize a newly poured section of concrete on a nearby bike path had the extra feature of a couple inches of raised edge where it left the sidewalk. Bike stopped, I kept going. True to my genetics, I ignored the resultant shoulder pain and stiffness and waited for it to get better. We all know where this is going: I am getting scheduled for Rotator Cuff surgery next week.

Fine, but who knew this would kick me off the bike for possibly up to six months? Holy smokes, that can’t be possible! Unfortunately it is, and now instead of RabH’s wonderful rides serving as inspiration, he is just going to annoy the hell out me as the summer ends, Fall comes and goes, and the bikes sit there with the tires getting lower every day.

Oh well, I can go back to playing the guitar, my old standby. What’s that? NOPE, that’s out, too.

So I will be reading and hanging around here as much as always and enjoying the old camaraderie and the new arguments as always, but from the sidelines. Fortunately I can still ride until the surgery if I promise not to fall over again, and that will cover my 70th birthday this weekend, and my entry into what Dave Berry tells us is the best decade of our lives, so there’s always something to look forward to there.

Watch those curbs, people, they bite! Of course, inspired by Alaskan’s garage picture the other day, my wife just bought me a new Park Tool bike stand for said birthday… oh, the humanity!

 

[Scott Adams]

sorry to hear... at least you have your unbeatable attitude and sense of humor to help see you through!

 

[JRA]

"I am getting scheduled for Rotator Cuff surgery next week."

Sorry to hear about your accident. I have felt your pain and impending surgery a few times. Say hello to your new best friend

 

[Art Deco]

So a little while back I flew in a graceful arc over the handlebars when I didn’t realize a newly poured section of concrete on a nearby bike path had the extra feature of a couple inches of raised edge where it left the sidewalk. Bike stopped, I kept going. True to my genetics, I ignored the resultant shoulder pain and stiffness and waited for it to get better. We all know where this is going: I am getting scheduled for Rotator Cuff surgery next week.

Fine, but who knew this would kick me off the bike for possibly up to six months? Holy smokes, that can’t be possible! Unfortunately it is, and now instead of RabH’s wonderful rides serving as inspiration, he is just going to annoy the hell out me as the summer ends, Fall comes and goes, and the bikes sit there with the tires getting lower every day.

Oh well, I can go back to playing the guitar, my old standby. What’s that? NOPE, that’s out, too.

So I will be reading and hanging around here as much as always and enjoying the old camaraderie and the new arguments as always, but from the sidelines. Fortunately I can still ride until the surgery if I promise not to fall over again, and that will cover my 70th birthday this weekend, and my entry into what Dave Berry tells us is the best decade of our lives, so there’s always something to look forward to there.

Watch those curbs, people, they bite! Of course, inspired by Alaskan’s garage picture the other day, my wife just bought me a new Park Tool bike stand for said birthday… oh, the humanity!

So sorry to hear that, Dave. Perhaps you can absorb @Alaskan methods and spend some time in your shop while you heal. It seemed to work for him, although it wouldn't work for me at all.

 

[john peck]

So a little while back I flew in a graceful arc over the handlebars when I didn’t realize a newly poured section of concrete on a nearby bike path had the extra feature of a couple inches of raised edge where it left the sidewalk. Bike stopped, I kept going. True to my genetics, I ignored the resultant shoulder pain and stiffness and waited for it to get better. We all know where this is going: I am getting scheduled for Rotator Cuff surgery next week.

Fine, but who knew this would kick me off the bike for possibly up to six months? Holy smokes, that can’t be possible! Unfortunately it is, and now instead of RabH’s wonderful rides serving as inspiration, he is just going to annoy the hell out me as the summer ends, Fall comes and goes, and the bikes sit there with the tires getting lower every day.

Oh well, I can go back to playing the guitar, my old standby. What’s that? NOPE, that’s out, too.

So I will be reading and hanging around here as much as always and enjoying the old camaraderie and the new arguments as always, but from the sidelines. Fortunately I can still ride until the surgery if I promise not to fall over again, and that will cover my 70th birthday this weekend, and my entry into what Dave Berry tells us is the best decade of our lives, so there’s always something to look forward to there.

Watch those curbs, people, they bite! Of course, inspired by Alaskan’s garage picture the other day, my wife just bought me a new Park Tool bike stand for said birthday… oh, the humanity!

My condolences, I´ve torn cuffs 3 time, waiting for a 4th to balance sides. Never had surgery, but it usually
takes more than a year of gradually declining pain to heal on it´s own. Surgery probably would have been
a good option, but having vast acquaintance with ERs, I´ve arrived at a semi-Christian Scientist point of
view. Was told the 1st time that surgery probably wouldn´t help & was given steroids instead. 2nd time
involved a greenstick as well. After having fractured virtually every bone in my body at one time, I´ve
adopted a truly Spartan approach & only consider surgery on places I can´t reach myself.
¨"Time heals all wounds¨....one way or another.

 

[fooferdoggie]

ya I got mine good too but physical therapy and a lot of time took care of it.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

I was sort of hoping a little for the steroids approach, but I’ve known this doc a good while and if he says cut, I’ll hand him the boy scout knife. Just shocked to hear how long the recovery is! I ride six days a week normally. My wife is gonna be very tired of me hanging around here pretty quick.

 

[PedalUma]

Sorry @Saratoga Dave. You have a great attitude and that goes a long way with a positive sense of humor. Time in the shop with some new creative projects will take your mind off the pain while still moving. How about a Blackburn Mag 5 trainer? They fold up when they are not in use and are quiet. Oh, you don't need to shave your legs like in the photo. That is totally optional.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Well, one must embrace new experiences

 

[indianajo]

I've had both rotator cuffs surgery. The right one was successful. The left he inspected & said it was too late. The most annoying thing was sleeping on my back with my arm stuck straight up by the sling. I snore on my back & wake myself.
The right tear was caused by a fall bringing in the mail. Live dangerously. May as well at this age, life will get you anyway.

 

[Marci jo]

Oh no Dave!
That sounds really tough.
Hope you have a speedy recovery.

 

[Art Deco]

Well, one must embrace new experiences

Not.

 

[Mulezen]

Well, one must embrace new experiences

As the great poet Alexander Pope wrote in his own time of interesting circumstances”What one can’t overcome, one must Undergo.” I’ve just recently began riding after 11 weeks in a sling. My PT, a roadie, gave me permission to ride again with one caveat “Stay off the rutted farm roads” which I did until I didn’t and just getting my legs back took a shortcut and went Superman over my handlebars on a downgrade of gravel. I hurt three of my four appendages but not the surgery. The surgery, contrary to the pre-planning, required opening me up like a slim sardine can. That took me from the 4 week sling deal to 11. I hope they do your cutting arthroscopically. Good luck. Your first milestone will be a shower.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

How on earth did you manage 11 weeks in a sling? I’m thinking about going out and getting a recliner, I think the bed is going to be history for awhile. And of course it’s my right shoulder and I’m right handed.

 

[Mulezen]

Not without a lot of cussing. Medcline i believe they call it has a foam wedge with a cutout and small pillow that allows you to poke your good arm out the side. And a long fat snake of a pillow cocoons. I couldn’t sleep in my recliner which they wanted me to do.

 

[ruffruff]

I can't ride for 3 months....I'm on a no wiggle no jiggle order from the doctor. I'm researching my next bike in the interim.
But I tear up a little everytime I walk by my new Norco out in the garage.

 

[TOOSLOW]

Ah, something to be said for fat bikes. A two inch rise? I laugh at those, 5psi, Bluto 120mm up front, Ohlins TTX in the rear, bring on the logs!

 

[JRA]

How on earth did you manage 11 weeks in a sling? I’m thinking about going out and getting a recliner, I think the bed is going to be history for awhile. And of course it’s my right shoulder and I’m right handed.

What I used both times

Recline Comfortably in the Best Zero-Gravity Chairs We Tested

The best zero-gravity chairs are ergonomically designed to make you feel weightless and comfortable. We tested and researched chairs on comfort, value, durability, and more.

www.thespruce.com

 

[john peck]

Well, one must embrace new experiences

Eh, ya still got one good arm, cowboy up. When i shattered my leg, above & below the knee,
I rode with the good one....after a few mos. on crutches. You could do doughnuts with one
of these.... clockwise or otherwise. What doesn´t kill you is still inconvenient.

 

[6zfshdb]

Heal up Dave! Sorry about you losing half a biking season.

I know the feeling well. I lost 8 weeks of the 2017 season due to hip surgery. Like an idiot, I scheduled it for the spring and wasn't able to ride untilI late August. I got smart with the other hip though and scheduled it for January of 2018.