March Snow is Raging In

I received a call earlier in the week from friend Twisted Uterus to go to the north for a bike ride & brunch at a local brewery on Sunday . I think this was spurred by the lovely weather we had on Monday & Tuesday - the birds & bees & the coconut trees. This has changed the outlook to SNOW forecast for today (started) with up to ten inches by midnight & snow showers through Sunday. She has offered her snowshoes while she uses her CC skiis. Shall I grasped this new activity? It may be worth a try, because I have a tinge of excite "DO IT"!

ATTITUDE

The following was given to the whole club by my Fencing Instructor who is 80 years old. He really, really believes is true I guess he is the elder wise man to know.

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding, the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our ATTITUDES!"
Dr Charles Swindoll

(: Sick Monday Snow :)

Yah know what? I decided to stay home today. I haven't stayed home because of a illness in years & years. I usually drag myself to the dedication of work but today a combo of things make it ideal.

1. I have a crappy cold.
2. I need to work attached to my supervisor's shoulder for 8 hours & I do not think he would appreciate a hacking, snot nosed girl with a pile of used tissues necessary to catch the dripping trail, then running to get rid of goobers.
3. It snowed, so I probably would have to back up the girl who doesn't feel like coming to work in the snow & then I have to have a crappy day doing 2 people's jobs and busting my butt. This is a big reason I stayed home Valentine's Day. No one appreciates it.

I shoveled the snow so the kids could get to the bus stop area. It snowed about 4 inches which was more than I thought we were to have over night. I skipped Spinning this AM but I think I should go to Fencing class since I missed last week with the kids being sick.

I found this site that you can look at local TOPO maps on different scales - it has lured me in for over an hour. This is giving me some ideas of some mtb riding or hiking for a nice day.

Zone Out

I went out last night with my friend DaTwistedUterus to The Towne Tavern - see her pictures & from last night . I debated because I was not feeling well but on the other hand I needed to get out after the last few days & I wanted to see her friends The Blind Chitlin Kahunas. These guys were truly great if you like blues. Her friend Joel the drummer is the brother of a "brief childhood encounter friend" of mine. I also saw him 27 yrs ago play for the Sue Bloom Band in Williamsport. Whoa feel old! Dag takes unique artistic pictures of the band with her massive black stallion of a camera. Variety of folk from college age to who knows at the bar. I sure hope the one guy in the red North Face jacket made it home - struggle wobble back & forth walk 15 ft to the door. I had to get a shower when I got home. I can't believe I used to get in bed after a night out smelling like the pits of smokers staleness. Light a fire under my butt I'll have to do it again.

The Pits of Disrespect

One night this week my kids verbally attacked me. I love my kids but this week they are so disrespectful of me that it makes me sad. They say that I don't do anything for them which I do everything I can and maybe too much. I ask them again and again to do things for weeks & weeks - maybe I should start screaming & insist on instantaneous results. I don't let them do anything. I let them participate as much as possible within my power. I only have so much $$$ & time.
I have made small mumbles on other things through the week when someone from home calls me at work & by the time Friday came around, I was glad to hear my supervisor say, "How would your family ever survive without you?" I said I don't think they can. On Tuesday I said, I feel like leaving home sometimes because things can't get done without asking about "where's the milk?" This has led to the comment I made Friday to my husband. I have requested dish help or put away clean clothes & does not get done. Only small things. I still have to clean out the cat poop & litter because no one else will do it. TP roll. I am a nag if I ask. My family does not know what a real B**** is like. There are people so demanding that something has to be done right away or it is a crisis. I tend to be lax.
Recent comments I have heard of other relatives or co workers.
"It's not my job to shovel the snow"
"I don't do yard work"
"My car needs an oil change and it is up to my husband to take care of my car"
"I want him to take me out to eat"
"I don't want to cook"
"He needs to fix the ceiling TODAY!"
"I stand at the kids lockers and make sure they take all the books home"
"I make the teachers email the homework to me and the kids have to sit for at least an hour doing work"
"My kids do chores every day"

Whoa - my family doesn't know how good they have it. I was brought up to be self sufficient and don't rely on others to get things done. I think some individuals are spoiled brats!
Ranting a bit....
My morale is really low & sad. I was always taught to show respect & appreciate what people do for you. I rarely get a thanks.I think I have lost something.......

Does my cut need stitches?

I was trying to see what the bottom bracket looked like on my Johnny G Spinner Pro Bike. Freaking 43lb flywheel started taking off at the same time my finger was getting sucked slowly into the bracket Once those pedals start going with centrifugal acceleration you can't stop it. I could not get my other arm around to stop the spin. It went a revolution or so with my finger stuck. There was blood gushing a trail everywhere in the house and on me - crap there's a gap across the palm side bend in my index finger. I can move it so no tendon damage. My son immediately got the first aid supplies & eagerly wrapped me up. I put a bra on because I thoughts were to the ER. Dang! It is cold & I want to stay home and do not feel like driving 45 RT miles & who knows how much time we'll be there. The bandage wrap was totally saturated again within five minutes. We were getting ready to go to the ER & I said, "Let's check it out again". It was starting to close a smidgin, but still bloody. I am not going.....I will be at the gym at the hospital in the AM if I decide otherwise. Do I need stitches? NO

VD exchange of words:
Him: "Happy Valentines Day"
Moi: "Happy Valentines Day"
Him: "I didn't buy you anything"
Moi: "Fine....I didn't buy you anything either"
End...

Start New 2007 Year!

Zachary, Kelsi & I joined forces yesterday with our friend Dag to venture 26 miles to the mountain lake Halfway Dam in Bald Eagle State Forest for the 4th Fanny Brrr Benefit Ride And Polar Bear Plunge In Memory of Bennett Sterling & benefit The Blue Butterfly Fund

We made it to the front page of the local paper:

http://www.dailyitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070102/NEWS/701020307

Also, Dag's blog, with guest speaker recap:

http://twisteduterus.livejournal.com/#entry_288741

Brrr we dipped

Ray Adams of VisitPa.com mountain bike team & Nancy

Chad on his GF 29er


We were awarded the Famous Finger Cookie by Dag for our accomplishment & good time had by all.

Head on back the chilly foggy ride back almost 15miles in damp clothes Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Artful Calming Bliss

Artwork by AK-47
This is Aaron Kent. Click on the title or visit his site http://www.aaronkent.org/. He is a very talented & diverse artist. He is a mountain biker & probably quite wild because he had knee & shin apparatus on his body the last I saw him. I had met him a few years ago during the Wilderness 101. Kelsi & I thought both Aaron and his friend John were really super and down to earth. Of course, they did not know what a whoopie pie was..but I did make them eat part of one. I think John wrote an article about the episode & nutrients in his dreds, but I have been unable to find.

For some odd reason, I really love this photo of him. It is blissful. Ahhh I makes me think about the New Year. I would love to find one of his Projects - 10 1/2. I wonder if I can buy one. Once I found huge one (unknown who the owner had been) across the street from my workplace. People would go peek at it and then the cops came and took it away. Was it part of a Project?

Happy Birthday to Me & Happy New Years Eve!

Another day older.............My husband actually said happy birthday this AM & went back to sleep(under my breathe I said thanks for remembering). My mom came to visit last evening for 4 hrs which is unusual to occur. She usually comes for 1 hr & has to leave for more important things. She brought food & primroses. Al's parents got me a holly. Dirt Rag forums send me a happy birthday (probably automated but it is fine). Hmmm.......my day at times comes and goes without one Happy Birthday. Oh well......I guess this year is the year for HB. New Year's Eve was here before me.


Edit: Thanks for the tons of Happy Birthdays!

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas Car Breakdown

Montoursville Holiday Family Gathering - We met at my mom's and caravaned full tilt with gifts and drinks galore because we had reservations at an eatery in Muncy before going to Kyle's house. As I was driving up Fairfield Rd to get on the beltway, something went curclunk and dead power, so I pulled off the road. My one brothers called to say "hurry up" because he was going 50 in a 65. My other brother backed down the ramp and my mom was behind us. Crapola the timing belt was off and suspect a pulley to have broken off. There was four of us and car full of junk. I guess I have to take matters in my hand and call AAA - at least I have a crowd of people around my vehicle. We couldn't have been more fortunate with daylight, decent weather, other people to provide transport shuttle to go to our meal, vehicle left for Al so he had trans after car was towed, and a wonderful Saturday local tow truck man Bieber who went to another call then worked on our car so we would have it by dark...Wahooo and still enjoy opening gifts without worrying! Things couldn't have worked out better! This is one great Christmas gift!

This is my neice Kira in her Bumbo Baby Sitter - Leave her and the Bumbo chair will take care of her!:)

This is my neice Kasidy with her evil doll with malfunctioning eyes that open & close randomly and makes her cry because it doesn't work for her.

Sunny Blow

I had off yesterday since I am not allowed off after Christmas so I have to fit days in to others schedules to use or lose them up. As I was getting ready, Mr Tarcole buries himself for camp out in the bathroom while we do the morning ritual.
It was a beautiful 58 degree day but the wind gusts were a bit much. Hoping to avoid the gusts, I thought the little valley from Cherry Run - Poe Paddy tunnel - Havice Valley Rd would be safe. This whole area of remote forest, cabins, creeks and mountains had any eerie silence at this time of year. I saw no one not even a car on the forest rd. The tunnel always scare the crapola out of me, because there is an area that you cannot see anything. I had vision of someone scaring me and I would pee my bike shorts. I had to be brave. This did happen one time and I flipped out on the juvenile and the whole valley of summer tourists probably heard me. I did a short climb up Havice Valley Rd and was quite proud of myself. I had to turn around and save Havice Valley for another day because I had to get back for Kelsi pickup and head to the gym. She has decided to join the gym. I really don't know how this is going to work out with getting her from school to the gym and my work. It is hard enough fitting myself in to the schedule of my own life. So if anyone is going from Mbg to Lwbg at 3:15 PM please pick her up! She wants to ride her bike the ten miles but the roads are scary at that time. I was wrong the gusts were blowing from all directions, except the usual north west.

INSPIRATIONs in life.
Wonderful Racing Pictures!
VELOPHOTOS.NET
by Kevin Dillard

Will I learn not to wear undies?

Yesterday, the family went to Williamsport to meet with my Mom, stepfather, brothers, Keith & Kyle & his spouse and skidren at the Genetti for brunch. This is one of the greatest food feasts we enjoy. It was a beautiful day when we got home so Kelsi & I quickly got changed and went for the typical 10 mile loop. It was cool outside and I got this wicked idea that IF I WEAR UNDERWEAR WITH MY CYCLE SHORTS I COULD WEAR THEM FOR SPINNING ON TUESDAY, because of little sweat factor. I also get this uneasy feeling of being so close to my lycra padding. Also, I feel weird with no undies. Hit about 6 miles and my hoochie had abrasion. I have been scorned by Dagny for doing this but I can't stop it. Today walking & on the toilet relief are ouchy............

REMEMBER!
"Cycling shorts are always worn with no underwear. Underwear, even synthetic wicking underwear, creates seams and a vapor barrier that traps heat, bacteria and perspiration against the skin. Natural fiber underwear is a Petri dish for bacteria and friction to form. Cycling shorts are designed to be worn without any underwear, whether you are male or female".

Bah! Bloody Moody Holiday Season is approaching!

~I am in a mood today & no one is home until late. I even went to the gym for 2 hours to try and release. I want to get shopping over with for my own children and not two dozen other children & people between my family and the in-law side. I feel like I am shut off mode. I hate shopping unless I go to TJ Maxx or Target. It is a chore to shop and I really hate it. Am I selfish...I just don't have the money to spread around. Also, some of the kids get whatever they want and throw the gift aside. In-law family is unable to come to grips with drawing names. They feel offended if there are no gifts. Al can buy for his family this year. Bah humbug! I just want to kick back and relax with a few cheerful holiday drinks!
~Yesterday, I was at Penn State all day on a campus tour with Kelsi, who is dragging her feet. I wish I had a cattle prod. The # 1 crime on campus is the theft of bicycle seats. As we were leaving, we saw a cheapo bike with no seat. Somewhere there is a grave yard of seats with posts. Then stopped by Mt Nittany Wheelworks to check out bikes for Zachary. It was nice seeing and talking to Jim and Frank after several months with each sporting a beard, look alikes to GI Joe & Abe Lincoln. They are talking about getting a race together called the Stupid 50 in May, which will be majority tough trails for 50 miles in a figure 8. Of course, Chris may come up, which they are hoping he will help out planning.
~I was invited to a party in the evening and as I going out the door, I decided to stay home. I figured it was probably the safest thing to do. I have so many things coming at me and I feel overwhelmed. I feel like running away from everything but no where to go or just be by myself. What do I mean, majority of the time I am by myself!

Sanity Gain with Goals

I will put off the Cervical Discectomy & Fusion for as long as possible. I guess it is Fright & Flight. I scares the crap out (literally gives me IBS) of me but I have to keep pushing to get away from it. I am thrashing ideas & goals for myself in 2007. This is how I have to deal with my stresses in my life, including having a dying brother. I am thrashing around taking myself up to the next level. I have a Personal Trainer application on my desk at work for ponderment. I don't know if I can do it but I need to try. I wish I had someone to go at it with me and shoot for something. Dedicated volunteers ? There was a middle aged woman on the treadmill at the gym with her jiggly heiny & thighs in front of me who is going to run a marathon in 6 months. Can I do one of Chris's 100 mile races? This is what we all need to keep going like the pink energizer bunny with a fresh set of batteries.

I guess I feel like a loser with no friends. I feel so inferior when I get dreams.

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.Author Unknown

Which is:

A goal is a dream with a deadline.
Napoleon Hill

Therefore:

Life is an Adventure
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.
Helen Keller

Waging wars against my body

Went to the Orthopaedic surgeon for my chronic intensity neck which has gotten worse over the years,triple billfolded in the wash this past Spring. I have been working my *^@#&$^*@ ass off getting the knees back after the surgeries and was afraid to go for my neck for months. It is a war I have with myself body mechanic blowouts to lymph wackyos, sure screw me some more!
The doctor walked in the room and said, "I hope you don't mind me looking at you but your smile looks just like my younger sister, you really resemble her." I was afraid to tell him he looked like my cousin who is a Podiatrist right down to the nose. Blood who knows, I don't want to know.
I had an Xray and the damage was confirmed. He could see what was wrong right away without ordering an MRI. I have severe Disc Degeneration Disease with prolapse on C2,C3,C4. I need to have an Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion.



I am not ready to have a fused dick neck! I'll have to deal with the neurological problems & pain for a while longer. Wage war with myself - drugs, alchohol & exercise like a "Wild Woman". We discussed - I will wait until I am in intolerable pain because I will lose ROM and this creeps me out. He rattled off a list of sports and things I should not do anymore - I drifted into a foggy tunnel and did not hear about a minute of what he was saying for fear of taking away my escape from body wars. YES, I CAN STILL DO BIKING & FENCING! I think this is because he rides bike himself & had the operation when he was 42. If you take away biking, I think it would be quite catastrophic to my life. This is my escape from pains in my body and things in life. He said when I decide, then he will order an MRI to see what additional problems may be going on besides the initial one above.. My exercise & activities have paid off for me. I do not have to go to physical therapy, because I have strength which is what is preventing muscle loss from this condition and he could tell. He thanked me for working out and maintaining an active lifestyle rather than the sedentary lifestyle of most patients, as we went out the door.

An emotional arousal not acted upon during the day to quell the arousal becomes a dream - Joe Griffin

Since I have not been able to fit in outdoor rides for the longest period of time since last winter. I think I am having withdrawal. Usually my dreams are really wacky and off the wall weird, but I have been riding a bike every day this week in my night time lala land. The one this morning I was climbing up a stoney rock trail and thought I was going to have to walk but I hammered and went up with ease. I gotta get out & ride ride ride and not just spin inside!

I guess this falls under one psychologists interpretation of dreams.

The expectation fulfilment theory of dreams - Joe Griffin, Psychologist

Griffin's expectation fulfilment theory of dreams states that:

1. Dreams are metaphorical translations of waking expectations.
2. Expectations which cause emotional arousal that is not acted upon during the day to quell the arousal, become dreams during sleep.
3. Dreaming deactivates that emotional arousal by completing the expectation pattern metaphorically, freeing the brain to respond afresh to each new day.

Eagles Mere Road Trip

Kelsi, Al & I went up to Eagles Mere to get away from the house. It was too cold to paint in the morning. We had to do a drive-by of my stepfather's cottage and hike around Eagles Mere Lake. This was my old hang out in the summertime years ago. Today I was really into the boat houses around the Lake & not the huge beautiful cottage mansions.












One time, many years ago, I was sled riding down an icey curvy EM road that parallels the famous Tobbogan Slide. I had to maneuver in order to avoid hitting the dock post before going out on the ice covered EM Lake. Well one time, I was out of control and I hit the dock post with my neck. Of course, I ended up in Geisinger Medical Centerfor a week. Oh well, that is probably why I am the way I am. I really hate sled riding.

Erie Anxiety takeover

Kelsi & I saw Mercyhurst $30,000 & Edinboro $10,000 Universities. Nothing about state owned universities (such as Edinboro, Indiana, Mansfield, Bloomsburg) but they give me the hebageebbees willie spookies, complete with all kinds of walks of lifeand little atmosphere or maybe I am getting more selective in my life. Mercyhurst was beautiful and 85% of the students live on campus all 4 yrs, the classes are small with trimesters and the Archaelogy Dept has a world known Anthropology Professor,the Art classes appear good. This is her first choice also...or was it the Jacobean furniture?

We also got to Presque Isle in time for the sunset.




Interstate 80 gave me anxiey and a couple of times I thought I was going to weird out, especially when Kelsi would take a pic of a huge drop off. I don't remember all those curves through the canyon abysses to China and one lane construction zones that if you got of the road, one would hit the guardrail and go down off into Never Never Land. I was sore the next day from grabbing my steering wheel on Rts 80, 79 & 90. Ahhh I am home!

Crap I am having pic upload problem errrr. Also while I was away, Zachary snuck out on his bike. When we went to the doctor I tattled on Zachary and he said KEEP OFF it for at least 3 more weeks! He is healing well but the break is still visible. I also spoke with Dr Dominick briefly. I got to the exam room and I had my zipper down while in the lobby with about 20 people.

Erie Bound in PA

Kelsi & I leave today for a 5hr trip to Erie because we have college visits with Mercyhurst & Edinboro University on Monday. Brrr at least there is no snow in the forecast, but I will feel the Lake Erie effect in the air. This is my old stomping grounds in which I had carefree wildness in my college days.

Yesterday, my nephew Ethan & son Zachary, went JR hunting and as I was leaving to go for a bike ride, their prizes caught me off guard.



Here is the fox that I almost hit, as it jumped in front of me one night. Another day I saw him in the field and made a weird noise. The fox stopped & looked at me like he never heard that sound in his lifetime. Now his lifetime is over and is road kill.



Yesterday K & I rode (22 miles rt) to the OctoberFest in Mifflinburg & met TwistedUterus there for some food eats. Beware wearing pantyhose under lycra shorts...this goes for the same reason that you do not wear underwear I didn't take any pics there.....

Spinning Sadomasochism

This week the gym started offering Spinning classes. I took my first class Monday at 6 AM & my 2nd class was Thursday eve (3 people cancelled). Spinning is a high-energy, indoor stationary cycling based group fitness program where the instructor takes you on a 'virtual' outdoor road race and a finish line. I am already signed up for two classes next week. This couldn't have come at a more appropriate time because of the sundown coming so early. I sure hope it tones & gives me endurance especially while doing the standing flats at a 80-110 rpm, which is like running and I am struggling and struggling because I swear it is a hill. I normally do not get out of the saddle in the real world because I am afraid of putting pressure on the knees but I am going to do this. I felt like I was going to fall off with either my elbows or knees giving out. I think I have too high of a resistance so I will lower it next week. I ordered a Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor because we will be training at our proper heart rate zones and not blow up or out!

Upside down sun fall turmoil

It is getting dark earlier with sunset at 6:56 PM. I went for a ride last night & before I could reach the halfway point the sun went down so fast as I kept looking west, like the North Magnetic Pole was pulling at an accelerating rate to place me in darkness. At the same time it was distressing because it was essential for me to go for a ride and placed my thought state of mind in jeopardy.

Some thoughts riding:
*What am I going to do because it is going to be dark before I get home real soon!
*Dag has to take me on a weekend ride, hopefully she will want to and able - Pine Creek Trail on a beautiful Fall Day!
*While searching for classmates over the last few days for our reunion, a fellow classmate, Jeff & I were emailing yesterday quite a bit. It makes one wonder........I think I have a "new" positive anchor. Did I miss something in high school? I hope he drops a line every now & then.
*This year I have made so many new friends (primo), each and every one of them inspire me in some sort of way - anchors in my life. Thanks for the hit on my head from my ortho doctor in 2005!
*Go to the gym and do not think about it!
*I think I need a self day off!

Good Day!

"Love your life." - Henry David Thoreau

Head On vs Tucks & Itchy Butt

A co-worker has a situation with an itchy butt this week, but today it was amplified high intensity, maybe because she had a big grackle in her house & couldn't get it out before leaving for work. It was crapping all over her kitchen & the windows, one of her dogs pooped a trail down the hallway, her brother in law also left a swirl crap for her. Here are a few comments heard:
1. "Ohhhhh I itch"(scoot scoot on the chair)
2. "I have my Head On today."
3. "What is wrong with you?" (she is walking & picking). "I have been itching all week."
4. "When I was little I used to eat shoe jelly candies which caused my itchy butt. I don't know what is doing this. Could it be all the cheese I am eating?"
5. "I could use a pipe cleaner to itch myself ohh no may bend, maybe a bottle cleaner would be sturdier."
6. "I gave you Tucks last night. Why don't you go clean?"
7. "May I borrow your Head On?" (another co worker has a headache). She not only applied to her forehead but all over her face. She goes back to her desk for 5 minutes and says, "Holy Crap my face is burning!"
8. "Oh dig dig"
9. "My bird is out now"
9. "Tucks On" "Head On" "Butt On"
10. "I itch, I burn" What about Preparation H?"
11. "I hope I don't grab the wrong one." She is holding a jar of Tucks & a tube of Head On.
12. "I have to do the "Tucks In" right now and clean up."
13. As she comes back, "That was sick, When I was cleaning I found something...yeah I think a 'roid. I wonder how I got that. I have had good poops all week."
14."Owhh I rubbed my eye." Someone said, "Your pink eye?" "Oh no, I hope I don't get one of those". "No your butt!" "You mean you didn't wash your hands after your Tucks cleaning?" "No I am not that gross." "Maybe I got Head On in my eye."

%**Crash Son**% Laurel Classic Mountain Bike Challenge mtb

Saturday venture up to the Laurel Classic outside of Wellsboro in the Tioga State Forest, the skids were going to race - not I, because of being sick several days with large volumes of water leaving my body. Registration went smoothly, spoke with Eric who I just saw and raced the SM100 & W101. He wants to be a W101 volunteer!! Evidently the SM100 is the race that rocks from several PA residents. >
Chad rolls in at 9:45am along with his VisitPA friends Ray & Nancy, nothing like cutting it close 10am start ZTR is ready to rip he is feeling good.The skids are ready to roll out.

I head up Darling Rd Trail so I can see the riders come down & take pics.
I am anxious on the verdict of the race to see if Dagny & I can have a pacto to stick like bandaids & do it '07, of course cautiously. I see quite a few middle age people doing this so I think we can. I am getting worried early on hoping nothing happened because I saw several juniors go by and I was hoping ZTR would be in the top 3. I was worring at 11:52 (1hr 52min)Kelsi or ZTR has not gone through and I am ready with the camera. I figured if one goes down the other would stay or help the other out - I repeated this several times to myself and two other people. I headed back down to base and wait 15 min and Kelsi is coming down the road all ALONE! No Zachary! She winds through finish and says, "Didn't you hear about Zachary?" Oh crap! She said, "they had to get the ATV six wheeler to get him out of the woods and the Morris ambulance took him to the hospital". Poop! Before I knew it, someone said, we have been paging you and then a DCNR officer came up to me and said he will be ok, he has a broken collarbone & perhaps a rib or two. Officer Caldwell gathered information & his bike was here and the helmet & hydropak were still up on the mountain, which was no problem. Later Caldwell brought his stuff to the emergency room. I could pee now. I guess we can't hang out with Chad & VisitPa...
so Kelsi & I gathered items and went to Wellsboro Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital. I called Al and he was wondering if we would still get hoagies from Moose Bros in Montoursville. Heck yes, the hoagies Rule! The hospital gathers info and they take me bake to the xray area because he is having a CAT scan to check his spleen and needed to verify his allergy to shellfish (can't inject the dye). He has a cervical collar on and he says that the morphine is working really fast & his whole body is numb. I never spoke to the ER Dr because they were busy...Don't get me started they only skim the surface. Verified broken collar bone and no ribs broke, despite sticking out, just bruised & spine trauma - won't trust until I take him to SunOrtho. One thing I can't believe is that they never took off his jersey or other article of clothing. It was still zipped up to his neck. He had scraps all over his back and his scalp has bloody cuts all over & bruises but never checked or look on his head or back. Hmmmm.
ZTR recant, He was heading down the grassy pipeline at 25mph & doing really well in the race - top 5 when he hit a dip that went down and up abruptly which casue him to flip over the bars. He landed on the top of his head first which caused his face to hit his collarbone and slam on the ground about 5 ft from his bike. He said he could not move his whole body for 15 min, probably from hitting his cervical spine area. Two riders stopped and moved him off the racers path. Kelsi approached in 30 minutes & saw him laying there. She went to get the DCNR officer & stayed until help came! She was offered a ride back but opted to finish the race. What a sister!.
This AM ZTR wants to do the race nxt yr- "beautiful wonderful trails". We will go up there again between now & then & try a leisure ride..
Results: http://www.twistedspokes.org/2006MTBResults.htm

SM100 Shenandoah Mountain 100 Volunteer Session

www.flickr.com/photos/78407911@N00/sets/
CLICK ABOVE LINK for pics I took.......................below are more links. The weather cooperated for the SM100 and was beautiful. On Saturday, when Kelsi and I arrived, we started right in with getting things ready with the kitchen and filling aid station water bottles. Scott Scudmore (MORE)has a troop in the kitchen whipping up the pre/post race meals. Chit-chatted briefly with several of the riders and helpers. I met Doug & Calvin who were trying out their 1st 100 miler. Doug was a real trooper who stayed with a rider who had a reaction to a beesting. Doug's frame had broken after check #1 & arrived at the campground ready to do some grilling for several hours until his friend Calvin came in at a respectable time. Great to meet Chad's friends Ray Adams 9th(VisitPA) & Nancy Nowicki. By early evening, the cutoff of 400 riders had been met...which meant a waiting "list". At 9 PM Saturday, Chris announced there was 4 to 5 openings.
Sunday at the crack of dawn the race begins as I am on my way to Aid Station #1.
The SM100 had Trek VW sweep the podium. Big hooha to Harlan for winning the Ultra Series! The atmosphere is absolutely great for this race of organizer Chris Scott..what a feel! The riders make the field of a great event as there is quite a variety of fixes,SS,HT,FS, male, female, young, & ole young at heart - whether they hit the gong or not.

**Event recap by Sue George in CyclingNews**:
www.cyclingnews.com/mtb/?id=2006/sep06/smt100_06
Pictures Bill McCarrick: www.buffalo2step.com
Pictures Jack Looney: www.shutterfly.com/progal/gallery.jsp?gid=768a5498ce7ce085b751

All in all..I was low key because I had an intestinal virus wanting to explode all the time.