CrashTestBunny and Iron Horse

Also taken from MySpace


Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Just call me Crash Test Bunny...
Current mood: optimistic


Well, I didn't let a fractured pelvis keep me from getting outta Dodge! I left town Friday and arrived around dinnertime in D-Town (aka Durango). My preceptor's friend has a house out here in Falls Creek Ranch, which is now a place I call heaven. It had been raining, so everything in D-Town was misty and soft. To get to the house, you have to drive a good 8 miles off of Main Street, and half of that on dirt road, which was muddy as all hell.( BTW, I brought my bike and trainer, so my bike is super dirty right now!!) I couldn't believe how beautiful this area is....it's in it's own little valley, with it's own little lake, tucked in the mountains with rock formations on both sides that take your breath away....when I got to the "cabin", I cried. I though, "how could anyone NOT live right here?". The house is completely setup as if the owners just left. I am wanting for nothing, have a huge master suite with steam shower and jacuzzi tub, which I can't use until I take my stitches out, which is today!

Each room has its own bath and balcony looking out on the valley below....I am posting pictures soon.....it is the perfect place to recover. It is Tuesday, and I am still there, planning on a couple more days in paradise.

Barely made it to Iron Horse registration, and they said they would transfer my registration to next year. Yeah!! So, went downtown that night and when I drove back to the house, it was snowing hard. Woke up to about 3-5 inches of snow. The Iron Horse RR had been canceled for the first time in the race's history. http://www.ironhorsebicycleclassic.com/

Was very hard driving around and seeing all the riders who ventured out a bit later when it warmed up. The crit was Sunday, TT Monday, so they still needed to get their rides in. Spent most of the day down on Main Street with Keely, then went to the concert that night, which was pretty mellow. Had a nice dinner with Mike after (the one that spent the night in the hospital with me)...and met some of his somewhat new friends...had my wine and slept like a log that night. Sunday I spent the latter half of the day watching the crit's. What an amazing day!! I watched a bit of the women, I think it was Cat4, but then came back for the Cat3 men, followed by the Cruiser Crit. Anyone who has been to Iron Horse knows how much fun that is! I was at the Finish Line...I might have ended up in some pics...

OH! So, here's the funny part. I got a t-shirt made last minute on Saturday nite.... I wanted an orange shirt with CRASH TEST BUNNY real big on it. I figured I would stand on the corner at the crit with it on! lol I will post a pic of the shirt, but it was a fun way to make light of my not -so-fun situation. Anyhoo, enjoyed the crit and met some neat people there. Saw Steve from here at Steaming Bean (where I am at now), met a couple guys from Denver that ended up hanging out with us most of the night, and just had a blast! Watched the pro women, complete with Mara Abbott and Jeannie Longo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannie_Longo) ...She is 50 years old, and she outright beat the masters men that morning, then went on to get second in the pro crit, but only but the depth of a tire. The end of that crit was amazing, and I have a pic of the winning move!!!

The pro men was equally exciting, and I got to see the end of that too. Chris Weary won, but most of the crit, Todd Wells was waaaaay out front. At one point, I think the gap was about 40 seconds!!! Somewhere in there, Chris Weary closed the gap and they worked together for a bit....the gap was so huge, that on the final lap, they both started chatting and literally rolled through the finish line to start the first lap. I know they pounded it at some point, but they had space to spare to save up for the final sprint. It was so exciting to watch, as the lead guys in the pack switched so many times! Each lap, the order was completely different, ...way more aggressive than the Cat3's I watched.

So, went out that night to Mahogany Grille and watched Mike's friend Emily sing to her friend's piano accompaniment....she was great! It was a late night, and very fun..we ended up closing that place, then closing Steamworks Brewery, then heading home after midnight...can't remember the time. Keely had a blast!!

Last night Keely and I went to dinner with Mike after a day of relaxing at home. It was a fun dinner and another late night, as we closed that place too! I am happy to stay a couple more days here...might even get on my trainer while I am here, although I can't lift my left leg yet, and I am concerned I might have lacerated something inside, because I don't have full use of all my stomach muscles, leaving me with what I call my Pooh Bear Belly...like a little pot 0' honey...lol. Will have to get it checked out.

So, just chilling out here and taking in the fresh mountain air....being inspired by all the cyclists and active people to get back in the groove soon.

Pics coming!!!

Cheers!