Tri Cycling
Re: Tri Cycling
No taxis on those trails...
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: Tri Cycling
'Monster', is my BF's best way of expressing a title of respect. As per a military guy, any honorific sounding remotely attractive or affectionate is not satisfactory; it's gotta be tough and remotely derogatory sounding to be acceptable.
Like the time, this young Seabee had a long, unpronounceable Checkerzouzky-or-other-ish Polish family name that the mustering PO would hopelessly mangle for 5min. before the kid had to angrily say it for him. Finally, one day Checkerzouzky just shouted, 'Shrek!' Call me Shrek!'
Which was brilliant, and so it stuck,
Of course, it helped that Shrek was a husky lad to begin with. But, I digress....
You may have noticed I don't refer to my BF as YuCAtek anymore? Yea, when he found out about that, his reaction was, 'WTF does that mean!?' So, that name's been unceremoniously shit-canned for the time being.
Instead, I tried to find a more suitable nic for him, going through the whole range of cute to complimentary nicknames; and all of which were rejected! ~wah~
For a while, I tried calling him, 'Mijo Lindo' which is masculine Spanish for 'my pretty dear', in appreciation of his good-looks, but that was still too girly for him. Then I tried calling him something silly like 'Bodacious' which I still use from time to time, but it's a bit long for common use and not edgy enough.
It took me a while to realize, what he wanted was something rough 'n rowdy, like a military nic.
Recently Eureka! I hit upon calling him, my 'Beast'.- my beast of a man, and my beast in the bedroom. Haha That he likes... a lot! So, there it is, and here he is in the hoodie, I got him last year for his Birf-day
In return, I received the adj. 'Animal' for my pet name...for much of the same abilities. (Hey, somebody has to keep up with him.) Now, it's said 'She's an Animal! When he describes me to his buddies.
So, who's 'Monster'?
Monster is a young Marine who was severely wounded in the war.
The BF had been speaking very highly of him, after being his 'safety vehicle' for two years of Wounded Warrior Rides.
This year, I finally got to meet Monster myself.
Saturday was the MT. Diablo Veterans Cycling Challenge; a charity benefit bike-a-thon to help disabled vets, sponsored by the Wounded Warrior project, and my first year of riding along as volunteer support with my BF.
This ain't no easy=peasy pedal through the Concord city streets neither. Some years, it's hundreds of miles down the coast, or across the mountains for a week or so; depending on what city/state it's being held in.
Our ride this time was short in comparison, but difficult in climbs through high rolling hills, to the top of MT. Diablo and back. Some fool named Nathan, yea, this Nathan;
My Bf is off to the left, [so you can see his size compared to an average mere mortal, even when they stand on a curb] ...pondering if whether he should crush Nathan's head in his fist; or snap his spine across his knee...
Nathan, whom I can name fer real, 'cause you'll find him listed as a contact on the webpage. ...Decided a hard ride, would be as good as a long ride. As good!? It was worse!!! In the 96 degree heat that day, over asphalt, even he regretted that call, and was heard to exclaim, “Whoever thought this shit up, I'm gonna kick his ass!!!”
I'm telling ya, Nathan DID finish the route, but he was soaked, literally SOAKED in sweat from head to toe; thoroughly through everything from his hair to his socks, when he finally made it to the finish. <bleah>
Since these events can be so arduous, that's why they need to have Safety Vehicles; to coast behind the riders, carrying water, tools, spare equipment and medical supplies. Plus, of course to carry out the injured and the exhausted. My BF and his best buddy Red, usually did this together in Red's truck. It was big enough, and Red had outfitted it with topside, yellow safety flashers and a sign off the tale-gate that read in big, bold letters: 'Caution – Cyclists Ahead!'
Well, this year they had to split up, since there were going to be three rides going on simultaneously that day: Regular, Hard and Excruciating. There were to be two safety vehicles and a squad of motorcycles, voluntarily provided by Wheeled Warriors.com, affiliated with the Patriot Riders,
...paroling the roads to offer assistance and aid if necessary, as well.
I wish my photo of it rolling had come out, but one of the WW Bikers was riding a Spider Roadster Tricycle, as seen in the latest Transformer movie;
..my pic is only of it parked, <sigh>;
Also, my BF and Red had decided on separate vehicles 'cause Red had a new girlfriend he wanted to impress, and figured that since I was along, she could come too. This made for too many to fit comfortably inside the truck, and with the needs of the duty being expanded, we just decided to make a second Safety Vehicle of my BF's car. That really worked out for the best.
My BF immediately headed for Monster's bike route- the Hard one.
Not the Regular one, nuh-uh! That was for the wimmen;
I know, I know. Pregnancy ain't a disability, but she is indeed, a proud, third-term, Vet,
Most everybody was focused on the Excruciating trail and their cyclists, but instinctively Beast went to the folks who needed him most. Oh, Monster didn't need help riding, being incredibly fucked-up physically; he was at the same time, incredibly fit and monstrously determined.
At least, his left side was, while on his right, Monster was nearly completely paralyzed due to a severe traumatic head injury that had nearly killed him. Surgery had removed a good percentage of his brain, and had left his scalp covered in huge scars like stitches over a baseball, but that hadn't decreased the strength in his heart in the slightest.
What he needed was someone to tell him to take a break or a drink, or else he'd drive himself into the ground.
Normal, whole, non-pregnant, riders were dropping out like flies in this heat, but Monster would just ask for more water and announce, 'I feel good now! Let's go!'
[!?] No-no-no, siddown! Not yet, git in the shade; eat a banana and lemme pour some water over our head...
Folks on the radio would call in and ask, 'Is he Okay? Should you give him a ride in?'
'Ah Hell no,' my Beast would respond, 'You can't stop him he's a Monster!'
With such belief in him, Monster finished the ride before Nathan did.
Like the time, this young Seabee had a long, unpronounceable Checkerzouzky-or-other-ish Polish family name that the mustering PO would hopelessly mangle for 5min. before the kid had to angrily say it for him. Finally, one day Checkerzouzky just shouted, 'Shrek!' Call me Shrek!'
Which was brilliant, and so it stuck,
Of course, it helped that Shrek was a husky lad to begin with. But, I digress....
You may have noticed I don't refer to my BF as YuCAtek anymore? Yea, when he found out about that, his reaction was, 'WTF does that mean!?' So, that name's been unceremoniously shit-canned for the time being.
Instead, I tried to find a more suitable nic for him, going through the whole range of cute to complimentary nicknames; and all of which were rejected! ~wah~
For a while, I tried calling him, 'Mijo Lindo' which is masculine Spanish for 'my pretty dear', in appreciation of his good-looks, but that was still too girly for him. Then I tried calling him something silly like 'Bodacious' which I still use from time to time, but it's a bit long for common use and not edgy enough.
It took me a while to realize, what he wanted was something rough 'n rowdy, like a military nic.
Recently Eureka! I hit upon calling him, my 'Beast'.- my beast of a man, and my beast in the bedroom. Haha That he likes... a lot! So, there it is, and here he is in the hoodie, I got him last year for his Birf-day
In return, I received the adj. 'Animal' for my pet name...for much of the same abilities. (Hey, somebody has to keep up with him.) Now, it's said 'She's an Animal! When he describes me to his buddies.
So, who's 'Monster'?
Monster is a young Marine who was severely wounded in the war.
The BF had been speaking very highly of him, after being his 'safety vehicle' for two years of Wounded Warrior Rides.
This year, I finally got to meet Monster myself.
Saturday was the MT. Diablo Veterans Cycling Challenge; a charity benefit bike-a-thon to help disabled vets, sponsored by the Wounded Warrior project, and my first year of riding along as volunteer support with my BF.
This ain't no easy=peasy pedal through the Concord city streets neither. Some years, it's hundreds of miles down the coast, or across the mountains for a week or so; depending on what city/state it's being held in.
Our ride this time was short in comparison, but difficult in climbs through high rolling hills, to the top of MT. Diablo and back. Some fool named Nathan, yea, this Nathan;
My Bf is off to the left, [so you can see his size compared to an average mere mortal, even when they stand on a curb] ...pondering if whether he should crush Nathan's head in his fist; or snap his spine across his knee...
Nathan, whom I can name fer real, 'cause you'll find him listed as a contact on the webpage. ...Decided a hard ride, would be as good as a long ride. As good!? It was worse!!! In the 96 degree heat that day, over asphalt, even he regretted that call, and was heard to exclaim, “Whoever thought this shit up, I'm gonna kick his ass!!!”
I'm telling ya, Nathan DID finish the route, but he was soaked, literally SOAKED in sweat from head to toe; thoroughly through everything from his hair to his socks, when he finally made it to the finish. <bleah>
Since these events can be so arduous, that's why they need to have Safety Vehicles; to coast behind the riders, carrying water, tools, spare equipment and medical supplies. Plus, of course to carry out the injured and the exhausted. My BF and his best buddy Red, usually did this together in Red's truck. It was big enough, and Red had outfitted it with topside, yellow safety flashers and a sign off the tale-gate that read in big, bold letters: 'Caution – Cyclists Ahead!'
Well, this year they had to split up, since there were going to be three rides going on simultaneously that day: Regular, Hard and Excruciating. There were to be two safety vehicles and a squad of motorcycles, voluntarily provided by Wheeled Warriors.com, affiliated with the Patriot Riders,
...paroling the roads to offer assistance and aid if necessary, as well.
I wish my photo of it rolling had come out, but one of the WW Bikers was riding a Spider Roadster Tricycle, as seen in the latest Transformer movie;
..my pic is only of it parked, <sigh>;
Also, my BF and Red had decided on separate vehicles 'cause Red had a new girlfriend he wanted to impress, and figured that since I was along, she could come too. This made for too many to fit comfortably inside the truck, and with the needs of the duty being expanded, we just decided to make a second Safety Vehicle of my BF's car. That really worked out for the best.
My BF immediately headed for Monster's bike route- the Hard one.
Not the Regular one, nuh-uh! That was for the wimmen;
I know, I know. Pregnancy ain't a disability, but she is indeed, a proud, third-term, Vet,
Most everybody was focused on the Excruciating trail and their cyclists, but instinctively Beast went to the folks who needed him most. Oh, Monster didn't need help riding, being incredibly fucked-up physically; he was at the same time, incredibly fit and monstrously determined.
At least, his left side was, while on his right, Monster was nearly completely paralyzed due to a severe traumatic head injury that had nearly killed him. Surgery had removed a good percentage of his brain, and had left his scalp covered in huge scars like stitches over a baseball, but that hadn't decreased the strength in his heart in the slightest.
What he needed was someone to tell him to take a break or a drink, or else he'd drive himself into the ground.
Normal, whole, non-pregnant, riders were dropping out like flies in this heat, but Monster would just ask for more water and announce, 'I feel good now! Let's go!'
[!?] No-no-no, siddown! Not yet, git in the shade; eat a banana and lemme pour some water over our head...
Folks on the radio would call in and ask, 'Is he Okay? Should you give him a ride in?'
'Ah Hell no,' my Beast would respond, 'You can't stop him he's a Monster!'
With such belief in him, Monster finished the ride before Nathan did.
Last edited by loCAtek on Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:59 am, edited 4 times in total.
Re: Tri Cycling
So, you may be wondering; how the Hell does a semi-paralyzed person get around, let along ride a touring bicycle? Answer: Pretty goddamned well, better than I would do, honestly. Monster just makes it look easy.
A few years ago, when Monster decided to join the Wounded Warriors Project; it wasn't a matter of if he would ride, but how. See: his form of physical disability is similar to that experienced by a stroke victim- the entire right side of his body is hardly functional. While fortunately he can still walk and speak, his right hand can't grip and his right leg has very little strength.
Naturally, most everybody thought he would need some kind of special equipment to ride, and a dedicated team of scientists ...well, doctors ...okay, a medic. thought a recumbent bicycle might do the trick for his first event.
Not he, just a visual aid;
My BF, who was there, said he managed it, but the intense effort had him checking out of the tour early, and taking the Safety Vehicle home. In case you didn't know already: in spite of it being easier to balance, a recumbent bike is heavier than forking Sheet.
Monster is definitely no wuss, but he can only pump the pedal powerfully with his one left leg; something else had to be done.
With some experimenting before the next cycling event, he found he could adapt his movements better on a traditionally built, average bicycle. In fact, my first sight of Monster was of he already swiftly pounding up the hillside of MT. Diablo, and there was no clue at all that he was handicapped. It wasn't until he was forced to dismount and walk his bike did I notice his limp. My BF hadn't told me who that was yet, not until after I'd asked, “Is he okay, did he get hurt?”
“Hmmm? No, that's how he always walks, that's Monster.” [!?]
It's hard to tell that a lot of these vets are handicapped. Looking at my BF's pictures from last year's Wounded Warriors tour, I recall remarking, 'I thought the cyclists were disabled vets?'
'They are!' answered my Beast.
'Damn, these are the healthiest, handicapped people, I've ever seen!'
Frankly, many of the features found on the average touring bike are perfect fits for just such injuries as Monster's. The bikes are designed to be as light-weight as possible; the frames and short handlebars create that forward posture that's easier to balance and the shoe clamps that many riders use to increase speed, keep his right foot on the pedal at all times. Cycling shoes are even made with these 'dials' instead of laces, that Monster can tighten with one hand. He doesn't even have to do anything special for his right hand; Monster just uses his left hand to wrap his right fingers and palm around the handlebar grips before he takes off, and his cycling glove pads do the rest. It's almost amazing that none of these features were designed for handicapped use; they already existed.
You think he needs any help mounting up? Hell no!
When he's leaning on his bike, Monster is better supported than with a cane; (which he doesn't use, anywayZ) he can then deftly flip his leg over and quickly snap his foot into the clamps. That's the easy part, but Monster gets better and better each time with the initial balance maneuver he has to achieve before he can get the wheels rolling. After that, well, he's a Monster.
A few years ago, when Monster decided to join the Wounded Warriors Project; it wasn't a matter of if he would ride, but how. See: his form of physical disability is similar to that experienced by a stroke victim- the entire right side of his body is hardly functional. While fortunately he can still walk and speak, his right hand can't grip and his right leg has very little strength.
Naturally, most everybody thought he would need some kind of special equipment to ride, and a dedicated team of scientists ...well, doctors ...okay, a medic. thought a recumbent bicycle might do the trick for his first event.
Not he, just a visual aid;
My BF, who was there, said he managed it, but the intense effort had him checking out of the tour early, and taking the Safety Vehicle home. In case you didn't know already: in spite of it being easier to balance, a recumbent bike is heavier than forking Sheet.
Monster is definitely no wuss, but he can only pump the pedal powerfully with his one left leg; something else had to be done.
With some experimenting before the next cycling event, he found he could adapt his movements better on a traditionally built, average bicycle. In fact, my first sight of Monster was of he already swiftly pounding up the hillside of MT. Diablo, and there was no clue at all that he was handicapped. It wasn't until he was forced to dismount and walk his bike did I notice his limp. My BF hadn't told me who that was yet, not until after I'd asked, “Is he okay, did he get hurt?”
“Hmmm? No, that's how he always walks, that's Monster.” [!?]
It's hard to tell that a lot of these vets are handicapped. Looking at my BF's pictures from last year's Wounded Warriors tour, I recall remarking, 'I thought the cyclists were disabled vets?'
'They are!' answered my Beast.
'Damn, these are the healthiest, handicapped people, I've ever seen!'
Frankly, many of the features found on the average touring bike are perfect fits for just such injuries as Monster's. The bikes are designed to be as light-weight as possible; the frames and short handlebars create that forward posture that's easier to balance and the shoe clamps that many riders use to increase speed, keep his right foot on the pedal at all times. Cycling shoes are even made with these 'dials' instead of laces, that Monster can tighten with one hand. He doesn't even have to do anything special for his right hand; Monster just uses his left hand to wrap his right fingers and palm around the handlebar grips before he takes off, and his cycling glove pads do the rest. It's almost amazing that none of these features were designed for handicapped use; they already existed.
You think he needs any help mounting up? Hell no!
When he's leaning on his bike, Monster is better supported than with a cane; (which he doesn't use, anywayZ) he can then deftly flip his leg over and quickly snap his foot into the clamps. That's the easy part, but Monster gets better and better each time with the initial balance maneuver he has to achieve before he can get the wheels rolling. After that, well, he's a Monster.
Re: Tri Cycling
My Beasty BF and Monster are fighting over who gets the cool cap I found...
...I find lots of neat and useful things by the side of the road; most likely these are things blown out of car windows and the backs of trucks.
Fer instance, I told ya, I carry zip-ties? Although I love zip-ties, I didn't say I bought the assortment-O-ties I carry. They were hard-won road salvage-
Saved from the side of the street, last year, pues si'.
I almost didn't realize what I was riding on, since they were scattered all over the gutter. At first, I assumed they were the usual broken plastic and/or bits of safety glass left over from fender-benders, but those pieces were uniform sized and shaped like slim strips. The *pop-pop* sound they made as you rolled over them sounded familiar too, so I looked down carefully and saw I was riding over a good smattering of zip-ties ...~screech~ ...coming to an immediate halt, and hoping off my bike; I proceeded to scoop up all of the abandoned urban treasures that I could find while dodging the traffic. (These things can be expensive, and there were only so many I could steal from work!) I'd first rolled over the small sizes, but continuing along the side of the road, there medium and large ones too. Woo-Hoo!
Lastly, was the cracked-open plastic cylinder the assortment had originally been purchased in from Home Depot, (Yea, that's how well I know my zip-ties) that I did leave behind.
Major salvage score Yay!
The black ball cap was similarly salvaged, just found on the side of the road, spotted by a sharp-eyed-Locita. HEY! I don't stop for every bit of discarded clothing; no ratty T-shirts, nor single sneakers, nope. The sh!t has to be in good shape; I'm a 'salvager,' not a homeless street person. hurumphfff So sayin' the cap was clean and nearly new; and the best part: it had a bright green 'Monster Energy Drink®' logo on it!
These kind of hats are also expensive and hard to find. I would have saved it for myself, but it was man-sized huge.
Thinking it shouldn't go to waste, I contacted the BF about giving it to 'Monster the Mountain-Biker' to compliment his monicker. ...judging from his reaction however, I could tell he envied the headgear for himself, after all, the motto of 'Monster Energy Drink®' is "Unleash the Beast".
So, I'm leaving the 'Battle of the Ball Cap' up to them; I threw the hat into the ring, and they can fight for it.
Let the best beast win!
...I find lots of neat and useful things by the side of the road; most likely these are things blown out of car windows and the backs of trucks.
Fer instance, I told ya, I carry zip-ties? Although I love zip-ties, I didn't say I bought the assortment-O-ties I carry. They were hard-won road salvage-
Saved from the side of the street, last year, pues si'.
I almost didn't realize what I was riding on, since they were scattered all over the gutter. At first, I assumed they were the usual broken plastic and/or bits of safety glass left over from fender-benders, but those pieces were uniform sized and shaped like slim strips. The *pop-pop* sound they made as you rolled over them sounded familiar too, so I looked down carefully and saw I was riding over a good smattering of zip-ties ...~screech~ ...coming to an immediate halt, and hoping off my bike; I proceeded to scoop up all of the abandoned urban treasures that I could find while dodging the traffic. (These things can be expensive, and there were only so many I could steal from work!) I'd first rolled over the small sizes, but continuing along the side of the road, there medium and large ones too. Woo-Hoo!
Lastly, was the cracked-open plastic cylinder the assortment had originally been purchased in from Home Depot, (Yea, that's how well I know my zip-ties) that I did leave behind.
Major salvage score Yay!
The black ball cap was similarly salvaged, just found on the side of the road, spotted by a sharp-eyed-Locita. HEY! I don't stop for every bit of discarded clothing; no ratty T-shirts, nor single sneakers, nope. The sh!t has to be in good shape; I'm a 'salvager,' not a homeless street person. hurumphfff So sayin' the cap was clean and nearly new; and the best part: it had a bright green 'Monster Energy Drink®' logo on it!
These kind of hats are also expensive and hard to find. I would have saved it for myself, but it was man-sized huge.
Thinking it shouldn't go to waste, I contacted the BF about giving it to 'Monster the Mountain-Biker' to compliment his monicker. ...judging from his reaction however, I could tell he envied the headgear for himself, after all, the motto of 'Monster Energy Drink®' is "Unleash the Beast".
So, I'm leaving the 'Battle of the Ball Cap' up to them; I threw the hat into the ring, and they can fight for it.
Let the best beast win!
Re: Tri Cycling
♪ ♫ Don' need no car! I'm Scrapin' on my Scraper-Bike! ♪ ♫