Wednesday, December 31, 2008

AHHH Almost another year gone by


Figured I better post since it will be the last one for 2008...amazing how quickly time goes by...it is so true what was told to me and everyone else when we were young "time flies as you get older"...damn if it isn't true...looking at my poor little puppy laying on the couch sleeping all curled up she has white hair on her face now...she turned 9 yrs old this month on the 3rd...I'm going to be a "GRANDFATHER" again this coming April, my third grand child, amazing...I always remembered and imagined and actually experienced "grandparents" as OLD...they have gray hair, wrinkles, missing teeth...DAMN THATS ME, I'VE GOT ALL THOSE, HOLY COW, I'M A REAL GRAND PARENT...Yikes...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....See the picture above...sure looks like it to me!!! Funny the last few days of every year they always talk about who has left us this past year...now this is when you start really thinking (trust me young guns, this will hit you sooner than you think, so quit thinking I'm "waxing" ridiculously)...and realize a number of the popular famous people are ones that you have grown up with, some are your age, yikes...MORTALITY sucks....so what does this have to do with biking....

hmmmmmm....

Well, as some of you have followed all this stupid writting I do and for those too that know me well and hang out with me...I have had some experiences this past year with my health that has lead to a "re-evaluation" or better way of looking at it "re-discovery" my skills have not wained just my physical well being...the harder I try the weaker I get...So I have learned a new avenue and/or approach to riding....and that is "when in doubt (when the heart starts to pound to hard), dismount". I have been having a real great time meeting alot of new friends and having a blast with our rides...I just now take it a little more easy especially on hill climbs or when everyone wants to "hammer" I just have to settle into my rhyteum and "let go and let god"...thats my speed now. So far so good...

BUT....there is another way to bike that can give you a rush like nothing else...and that is going down...yep DOWN HILL/FREE RIDE...I picked up a Downhill bike in hopes of learning and experiencing this excelleranting speed riding...this is definenetly a concept I can grasp...crazy, fast, fun, and no uphill pedaling (or very little) then shuttle via truck/car/chairlift back up to the top...I am very pumped about getting into this more...have only been out a few times and it is SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Looking forward to a whole new group of friends this spring/summer to meet and hang with, even figured to keep the racing spirit going by maybe giving a try at a few DH races...

You know even though riding is such a love, I believe the gaining of friends fullfills our lives more so than what it is were doing..it's simply a common denominator that brings us all together, at least for me it is...and a HUGE thanks goes out to EVERYONE OF YOU...thank you for being friends I appreciate how you all can tolerate me at times...(another beauty that comes with age, the older you get the more of an asshole your allowed to become HAHAHAHAHA)

Happy New Year to all of ya...I appreciate everyone of you and hope we all can enjoy a super year coming up...Pray for us all.

Ed

Monday, December 15, 2008

The fate of winter.....


IT SUCKS...the time has changed and as we all know it gets dark early...and earlier yet right now...at least on the 22nd it starts going the other way...and it can't change fast enough for me. And now the weather is screwing with the routine weekday rides...trying to find a day to ride was a pain last week with all the rain...I know there is the trainer (yuck)... riding is more than just pedaling...it's about time spent with your friends, being outdoors (preferable soaking up the natural vitamin D, which the doctor tells me my blood is lacking and has me taking supplements) and seeing beautiful places you've never been...WELL WINTER IS REALLY MESSING WITH ALL THAT IS DEAR TO ME...I wish I could click my heels together 3 times and make it all go away...I know I NEED TO GO BACK TO CALIFORNIA FOR THE WINTER...god that was perfect timing last year...then when we all have the time to ride, and the weather wants to cooperate...along comes what they call hunters!!! We all have our personal opinions and since this is my blog...
...oh well..I didn't start this blog to get into things like that or political points of view so back to the weather....again IT SUCKS...so nothing I can do about it...but take advantage of the days when I can ride...I really went out and messed myself up too...I got a DH bike in winter...yikes not good timing, the DH/Freeride parks are now ski runs...WINTER...BAH HUMBUG...Its nice during the late spring or early Fall when the sun is warm, the days are long, the choice to ride is almost everyday or at least pretty much anytime you want to...So it's back to the Gym...I'm going to drown myself at the Gym...I've been away for awhile, and man it feels like it...
Happy Trails everyone.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

First Ride on the New PERP





The first ride was close to home at our back door spot of Patapsco State Park...not a real big DOWNHILL area but it did have a few good little ones...

First off I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A bitch TO PEDAL THAT BEAST UP HILLS...and the beast was for the most part out of its element...BUT...I stayed with it for the day, and enjoyed MYSELF...the group of course (as I totally expected) raced off to do their thing...again we were on different bikes and different missions...)

1. Its' brand spanking new and how exciting is that to take your new bike out for a ride...besides needing to get to know it.

2. The Dam run (which I did 3 times, hiked up it)...has some of our favorites jumps and NOW they are definently jumps...and at the bottom I cleared from the trail 4' down right to the asphalt trail...HA...If I feel like playing on some DH, I can park at the Hilltop lot and play for awhile on the 2 dam runs....

3. Funny I still did at least half our usual loop (adding the additional up and downs multiple times) and hiking up the blue trail to the top on the south/west side of the bridge only to run into the gang again...and rode down (stopping twice for the XC DHer's...:)

4. I found some kids with the same interest and they showed me some incredible riding skills as we walked up Vinyard and FLEW down, these kids race DH and have some amazing skills...told me a thing or two about the hows/whys/and the really big advice...TRUST YOUR BIKE, IT WILL DO AMAZING THINGS FOR YOU... they aren't kidding....it was incredible how this bike hooks up and rails the corners...surprised the sh** out of me a number of times...one time I dove into a corner to hot, hit the brake, it slid around, foot stabbed the ground and I kept rocketing around...amazing...surprised me.

5. The rock garden DH from the tire park was SOOO smooth...just blasted right through it all...but then I had all that damn uphill from there...Jason you know the trail thats shoots across/under the power lines where the vine caught me...wow this time I hit that berm, caught air right where I landed was that slight up to the right then left wow it was all so quick and smooth...for going down this is what it advertises it to be...an incredible, precise, smooth, capable, RAIL MACHINE...YEEE HAWWW...can't wait now for spring/summer...going to hit all the different parks...probablly do some beginner Dh races too...

In conclusion, for Patapsco...damn heavy machine...fun on the DH's...YEP...but there just to short there...I'm sure I'll do some more though...just know that I will do walking as well...but it's certainly worth the moments of extreme pleasure...this bike performs the job it's designed for better than anything I've ridin...(yeah I'm a real rookie)...but this bike SHOWS you right from the moment you point down...kind of like Jasons Jet9...it just jumps right out at you with the features it's designed for...the other bikes I've had and ridden just don't act that way, they ride very similar to others...where as these have their own SPECIFIC personalities....

Wish I had some shots of me riding it today but i was off by myself, maybe next time.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Picked up the new Perp




Picked up the new Perp tonight...will be going out tomorrow morning at Patapsco to meet the guys and give it a go...going to be very different...been ridin weight weanies for ever, now a 43lb monster...whew...but man its going to handle sweetly on the single track DH's and the "hits"...careful learning curve ahead...:) Post some pics tomorrow night (it'll be dirty then I'm sure).

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

My new PERP



Will be getting my new Perp in a day or so...then it's blasting the DH's, jumps etc...a little Freeride fun is in store...come this spring it'll be the ski mountains for me....take the lifts up and blast down....WEEEEEEEE

Monday, November 24, 2008

Niner



Well here she is...the new Niner Jet 9 ... soon as I'm done paying her off it's riding in heaven!!!

SOLD!!!





My baby is gone...I'm certain she went to a very good home...a relatively new MTB rider...so she'll be baby'd along for sometime...

In the meantime, went out yesterday with Jason & Eujinc to Patapsco and had an AWESOME time...first time in over a month riding in there in the daylight...so with all the leaves off the trees it was amazing what you can see...we found an incredible trail that we have all passed by forever...it is part of a loop we do and have never spotted it...well let me tell ya we have really been missing out on some fun...it's got 3 jumps in a row that you really LAUNCH off....then its got it's share of a small rock garden, some steeps and just plan fun flow...next Tuesday night we'll add it to our route so this should be very interestiing...especially the jumps at night with our lights on...WEEEEE HAWWWWW!!! Enjoy some cool pics on my Flickr of the ride....

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Die of Shock, Selling one of my Bikes



Yes I am parting with one of my "babies"...my 2007 Cannondale Carbon Rush 2 Large size for $1800 (great deal). The seat post and saddle will get swapped back to stock...I'm keeping the Thompson Masterpiece and Fizik saddle. This is the bike that made the difference in my racing a year ago...it moved me up in my finishes, light weight, quick, snappy a pure joy....November 07' decided to jump on the band wagon and get a Single Speed...do the "winter training" thing (yeah right)...well when I went to California got hooked on racing the single speed, so I didn't ride my Rush except for the Sea Otter Classic in April 08', a ride at Boggs in NoCal May 08' and then not until Sept. and then the last couple weeks about 4-5 more times...I'm hooked on the 29er thing...went out tonight to my usual (even in the friggin cold)Patapsco on my Superfly and really missed it...Jason made a comment that I was alot faster tonight....wellllll.....IT'S THE 29ER THING!!!...so I'm getting a Niner Jet9, a Full Suspension 29er...:) ahhhh light, 4"(mistake...3.1" and/or 100mm) of "cush" and fast, should be fun...so there it is the bike and the reasons for selling my old beloved...next will probably be the SS Rig due to Doctors orders...
Check out my flickr for the folder titled Cannondale Rush for pictures of the bike.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

MOV05631


MOV05631
Originally uploaded by cableguy46
White Clay/Middle Run Skills Park

Had To Go Back


Went back to White Clay/Middle Run this past weekend. Took Jason and Eujinc, a couple buddies I ride with weekly...I do beleive they had a good time...how can you not at this place...we spent some time at the skills park as usual...Played on the "skinny" across the culvert and Eujinc went over on his first try...at least it was towards the bank side so it wasn't too high of a drop...he "maned" up and "jumped back on the horse" to do it again, this time his 2nd trip he made it...there is a video posted on mtbr.com

The leaves on the ground seemed like they more than doubled over the previous week...and yep rode the 26" Rush AGAIN...have been enjoying the "posh" ride...:)

Saturday, November 1, 2008

I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT...WHITE CLAY!







What a great day at White Clay...we had such a blast....I went to Fair Hill to meet up with Randy and watch Gunnar race Cyclocross...while there ran into Leslie and saw Forset racing with Larry too...they decided to join us after the cyclocross race and come ride "Clay".../while unloading at the church parking lot we were talking about trail directions and what we wanted to see, well a fellow biker came up with a map and started showing us some routes to take....thats all it took we introduced ourselves and asked her to join us as a guide...So Hope took us on a great, fun, flowing, fast ride....man it was so much fun...the first time I rode Clay I loved it, it's been a year and it still gives ya a super feeling....we did the corkscrew which I had never seen that was an absolute blast!!!! As you can tell from the pictures, I did the skinny across the ravine, that was a trip...Randy laid down in the ravine and looking up clicked the picture...

And guess what...I rode my 26" RUSH...felt a little strange at first, but half way through Gunnar and I were jumping every berm in the pump track like section it was FANTASTIC...then with less than a half mile left to the ride I discovered I had the rear shock locked out...it had a "little" give not much but hey I ride a hardtail so it felt okay to me...this next week or better I'll be riding the RUSH, should be fun, give me a new found appreciation huh?

If ya haven't ridin it...GO RIDE IT YOU WON'T REGRET IT.... Of course it's a lot of fun with someone that knows the route....

More pictures on my flickr.

Ed

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Jennifers New Bike - "Little Pink"



WOW, Bling! Bling! Check out the PINK! I call her bike "Little Pink". It's a Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Plus Deluxe GS...We've been out on a couple rides...very easy, 10-12 mile routes...the NCR trail out of Hunt Valley a week ago, then last Wendesday we went on the AA Trail for the same 10-12 this time on the way back we used our lights...it's new for me I actually have seen things I never have at the slower pace...it's "smell the roses" rides...tomorrow night we're going out to Rockburn Park, right next door to Avalon. We'll take it easy, but we will get her tires on some dirt and roots before this coming Sundays Jamboree...do just a couple miles or so, slow steady baby steps to get her used to riding without getting hurt...gotta protect my girl ya know...c-ya all soon.

Ed

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Been awhile...and alot of Ridin!!!






It's been aloooong time since my last posting and that is due to a couple reasons...foremost being the laptop has been acting up...where the power cord plugs in it is very loose so therefore it doesn't always charge...so I have to sit at home in the evening wiggling, jiggling, and forcing the darn thing to hit the "sweet" spot (sorry girls) to make it charge...well it's a royal pain in the ass...so i have been on it as little as possible...One way I have gotten my fix is with my new "crack" berry oh I mean Blackberry, but whew does it take time to type on...so Jennifer has given me her NEW laptop and she is going out tomorrow to buy herself another one....so tonight I'm getting my "fix on", no more "jones'in"...
now reason number 2...lots of ridin lately, have met a couple new guys and a couple of the older guys from the gang enjoy night riding as much as I do, so we've been out on the trails alot after work lately...and the past 3 weekends have been out at the Shed in Gambrills...it's been a ton of fun....thats what it's all about right, FUN!!!! Medically, at least this type of riding allows for many breaks and/or breaks whenever I want, (certainly not like racing), so I've been able to ride with out my heart "racing" ahead...:) or at least racing only for slight moments...
Todays ride at the shed was one of the best of all time...a new group of guys, exactly 13 of us, and still the same shed but from a whole new prospective...alot of the trails I've ridin out there over the last month are always the same ones, today the ride leader took us on most of the same trails but in different directions....man did it flow so much better this way...the shed is so great for practicing and learning technical skills...the group today liked to play in the real tech areas trying to get it down pat...I tried the boulder climb you see in the picture probably 5 times always falling over at the top until (as the picture shows) I made it...that was fun, instead of spending weeks only trying it each time you go out we spent time until most made the obsticle that gave them a hard time...we were out for 5.5 hours, what a beautiful day out too...one of the guys described the leaves on the tree as matching the colors of a Macintosh apple, perfect analogy...the fall time is so perfect for riding...need someone like Zach Adams who writes so philasophically (ms)to explain for us the beauty of fall.

On another very cool note....Jennifer has a new bike now...we got her a Gary Fisher Hi-Fi Deluxe GS (women specific) and its a very cool flat pink color...the bike is set up with some pretty good components...for those coming out to the Jamboree, you'll get to see it...she's going to try the VERY beginner ride, I'll join em too...we've been out a couple times on very easy "rail trails", and an average 10-12 miles, one ride I pulled our grandson in the little buddy cart, he had a blast, even fell asleep on our return trip, that was funny to see...I even took her out on a ride where we needed our lights, that was fun...

Lights to me are such a blast...it takes the same ole mondane trails that you've ridin 100 times over, that you can actually follow yesterday and the day before that and the day before thats...tire marks that you placed months before....and they somehow magically becaome trails you've never ridin'...the lights are bright enough to see the entire trail in front, but dark enough at your sides and when you glance behind that the riding experience to me becomes even easier...just recently we found a completely new trail we've never ridin, and it was just getting dark to top it off, wow what a downhill it was too, what a great feeling to have that surge of fear keeping you jacked up and ready for anything...thats the point right there about night riding...your senses are hightened, there at a level they usually are never at...you feel the trail and the variances of the terrain more than you ever have...it's kind of like how they say the blind become with there other senses...(how's that Zach)...

well everyone have a great week, keep the rubber side down, see a bunch of ya this Sunday...Ted if ya read this hope to c-ya too!!!

Ed

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Water Shed Ride Today






Ride at the Watershed today

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOW...what a spectacular day for riding, period, no matter where you were...BUT...we were at the shed and it was great...team members came down from DE and PA to ride and brother did we ride...aprrox.24-27 miles...tons of fun, some mechanicals...Fernando had a broken chain (which he fixed), and poor Ben had a couple three flats, the last one was brutal with only approx 1/2 mile left...his tube popped out spun around and wraped up in his rear derailuer and sheared it off, poor guy...some of the rock gardens were a blast, very technical...good experience for all... I'll have a couple dozen photos up on my flickr account, check'em out!

Okay, here are some pictures now...on another note about the ride...did laundry last night and was going to put my bike shorts in my bike bag and you know what happened, they didn't make it in the bag, therefore....I got to ride in my "street" shorts today....yikes...ouch... took a shower this evening and whoa, tough day ahead tomoorw at work if ya know what I mean....anyways here are some pictures...lots of rocks to climb and manuver today it was great....

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Rides the last few weeks









The exciting part of the last couple weeks was that a buddy from the west coast that I met while I spent the spring out there showed up here on the east coast...took him around locally and did some east coast style riding...BJ was amazed at the trails and tech riding that we have....went this past Saturday to Patapsco, met up with a few of the Tuesday night guys, Manuel, Nathan, Eujin (with his awesome ne Ti bike)and had a fun ride...BJ used my Carbon Rush, which is perfect for the trails we rode....and BJ rides a hardtail at home so this gave him a nice "plush" ride...then on Sunday we went out to the watershed at Gambrills and hooked up with Fernando & Loretta...this as most of you know is much more technical then Patapsco in a "rocky" way...ironically I was the only one that DIDN't wipeout...fortunately it was just some bumps, bruises and blood...a couple were pretty scary...Loretta came within inches of her face on the rocks when she wiped out...thank god she was okay...
And then there was our group ride Tuesday night...we got approx. half way and I was still in the mood for more riding so a new guy, Jason, to the group decided to come along, low and behold Larry joined in to...just prior to the dam DH Larry did a quick endo, landing on his left side (he crashed his right shoulder approx. 6-8 weeks ago so that was close), but he stabbed himself with his sproket, and believe it or not he had to get stitches, ouch...thank god I've always "packed" my cuts with mud so I don't have to get stitches...:) Now Larry says he's going to retire till next spring so his shoulder can heal up and there wont be any permanent damge in the event he were to wipe out on it over the next few months...awwwww...

I've missed the Wed. night rides over the last few weeks, to tell ya the truth I'm a little concerned over my heart getting such an aerobic stress on that ride...it's kind of the opposite of my Tuesday ride, Wed. is a "hammerfest"...it's a great location and the guys are super but I really dont want to push it to see what could happen...worse case scenario I don't think the family would appreciate, neither would my fellow riders having to deal with those kind of hassles, so for now I'll forgo te "hammerfest" until after my next doctors appointment in November....

To all thanks for the last couple weeks, and I look forward to the next few weeks...Gambrills with the gang, bike flea market this Saturday, the Jamboree coming up November 2nd and I'll go out to ride and watch the Marsh creek race on the 9th, wish I could race the course is fast and fun...but for now I'll just "ride" it...c-ya all soon...Ed

Monday, September 29, 2008

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

What a mouthful, huh...well, that is my new diagnosis...conclusion, at this current time "have fun, ride with your buddies, DO NOT RACE, NO ANAROBIC EXTENDED STATES, take it easy enjoy your rides...so says the Doctor...and thats what I'll do...I had these instructions prior to Bear Creek, but kept it to myself just to get the last race of the year done, it was hell...ESPECIALLY when Jennifer found out...I told her AFTER the race, she was pretty upset, understandable...but ya all know me, if it wasn't the race to kill me it'd be her...hahaha...serious though (no laughing matter)besides, I hate all the "fuss"...the DH was easy enough, but as most of you racers may have noticed (especially if you were passing) I spent most of the uphill sections walking...I was keeping my heart rate at a tolerable pace (ie under 160 bpm for me)...but for the next 2 months NO RACING...well have another stress test and more examines in November, then every 2 months after that to see if there has been any change...med's have been up'ed a bit, all is well..no need for panic...just cannot be my "Obsessive Compulsive" self anymore...

What is "Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy" you ask...here is a definition:
"HCM is a complex but relatively common form of genetic heart muscle diease that occurs in 1 out of 500 people, but often goes undiagnosed in the community, and has caused some confusion to both patients and physicians periodically over the years. HCM is the most common cause of heart-related sudden death in people under 30 years of age, and it can also be responsible for exercise disability at almost any age. Although HCM is a chronic disease without a known cure, a number of treatments are now available to alter its course." It has been referred to as "Athletes Heart" The heart has become enlarged and the left ventracul muscle has weakened...

This is a cut and paste that explains it all.....
The Many Names and Other Sources of Uncertainty

Much of the confusion about HCM, as well as the limited awareness about the condition in the general public, comes from factors such as the vast array of complex names and acronyms given to the disease (over 75 in number), and its infrequent occurrence in cardiology practice. Patient support and advocacy groups have closed the information gap by using the internet, facilitating more effective communication between interested parties independent of geography (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association [HCMA] web site is available at http://www.4HCM.org; phone (973) 983-7429 or (877) 329-4262).

How Is HCM Diagnosed?

HCM is usually identified by an echocardiogram that produces ultrasound images of the thickened wall of the heart muscle (hypertrophy of the left ventricle). This is usually most prominent in the ventricular septum (the wall separating the left and right ventricles), but is not accompanied by an enlarged cavity. Normal thickness of the left ventricle is 12 mm or less; in HCM, the thickness is usually 15 mm or more, although we know that some people who carry a mutant HCM gene may have normal wall thickness.

In HCM patients, hypertrophy does not usually appear on echocardiogram until early adolescence and then may increase dramatically until the end of the accelerated growth period. However, since hypertrophy may not begin until middle age, we now suggest that some relatives of those with diagnosed HCM should be checked with an echocardiogram periodically well past adolescence. Small differences in wall thickness reported to adult patients from one clinic visit to another are usually not clinically important; technical factors such as the angle of the sound-wave beam can account for such variations. Sometimes modestly increased thickness must be distinguished from the innocent consequences of athletic training (athlete’s heart) or high blood pressure.

Echocardiograms will also show whether (partial) obstruction of blood flow from left ventricle into aorta, caused by forward motion of the mitral valve, is present (and to what degree), and also whether there is abnormal leakage through the mitral valve. Invasive cardiac catheterization or electrophysiological studies are now rarely necessary. The ECG usually shows a wide variety of abnormalities but is of limited value in HCM, with the exception of family screening.

Your physician may suspect HCM by the presence of a heart murmur, new symptoms, abnormal ECG, or family history. Physical examinations alone, including those prior to participation in sports, are not reliable for identifying HCM because about 75% of patients do not have obstruction to the outflow of blood from the left ventricle and a loud heart murmur is therefore absent.

Inheritance

HCM is caused by mutations in any one of 10 genes and appears in 50% of individuals in each generation. The mutant genes that cause HCM influence certain proteins that are part of the heart muscle. Therefore, when HCM is diagnosed, all close relatives are advised to have an echocardiogram. While analysis of DNA is the most certain method for diagnosing HCM, it is time-consuming, expensive, confined to research-oriented laboratories, and cannot yet play a role in routine day-to-day decisions for patients. Gene therapy would be a daunting task and is not presently a realistic expectation to become a cure for HCM.

General Outlook and What to Expect From HCM

HCM is unique because it may be identified during any phase of life, from infancy to old age (sometimes over 90 years). While its potential adverse consequences have been emphasized for years, particularly the possibility of sudden death, a more appropriately balanced perspective on HCM has emerged.

It is a myth that HCM represents a generally unfavorable disease. Its risks have probably been exaggerated to many patients. In fact, realistic mortality rates for HCM are only about 1% per year and are not dissimilar to the general US adult population for all causes. Therefore, HCM frequently causes no or only mild disability over a lifetime, and many patients achieve normal life expectancy (some without even being aware of their disease). Therefore, many HCM patients deserve reassurance about their prognosis.

Sudden Death

Sudden and unexpected death is the most devastating and unpredictable complication of HCM, but only a minority of patients are actually at risk. Sudden death in HCM may occur without warning signs and is caused by lethal heart rhythm disturbances (called ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation) that probably originate from the disorganized heart muscle structure or from small scars. Patients are rarely aware of rhythm abnormalities that may precede sudden death; however, fluttering, pounding, or skipped beats (palpitations), as well as dizziness and fainting, should always be reported to the cardiologist.

While sudden death occurs most commonly in children and young adults, the risk extends into mid-life and beyond (although less frequently). Reaching a particular age does not therefore confer immunity from sudden death. Sometimes sudden collapse occurs with vigorous exertion on the athletic field; athletes with HCM should be disqualified from most organized sports to reduce their risk.

A number of risk factors for sudden death have been identified, although most patients will never experience a life-threatening rhythm. HCM patients should have a clinical risk assessment with history and physical examination, echocardiography, 24-hour ECG recording (Holter monitor), and exercise testing, and should be routinely evaluated by a cardiologist about every 12 months.

Who Is at Risk?


Patients with a prior cardiac arrest ("heart stoppage").

Patients with one or more family members with sudden death caused by HCM, particularly when closely related.

Patients who experience fainting (syncope) that is otherwise unexplained, particularly when it is related to physical activity, occurs repeatedly, or appears in young people.

Patients with brief episodes of rapid heart beat (ventricular tachycardia) shown on Holter monitor when present on several recordings.

Patients whose blood pressure fails to rise during exercise testing, particularly in those younger than 50 years of age.

Patients with extreme thickness of left ventricular wall (30 mm or more) on echocardiogram.

Symptoms

Some patients with HCM develop shortness of breath and chest discomfort, as well as fainting, dizziness, palpitations, and fatigue, with physical activity. Symptoms may begin at any age and often do not appear until mid-life (30s or 40s). Symptoms can develop at different rates, with long periods of stability, and often vary from day-to-day; severe exercise limitation is, however, uncommon. Occasionally, patients may be unable to sleep in a flat position or may awaken short of breath.

HCM involves a unique form of heart failure in which the heart muscle is often not dilated and flabby, but rather is stiff and has normal pumping capacity. Shortness of breath results from the high pressures in the heart chambers and can be controlled with ß-blockers, verapa- mil, or disopyramide. Although any patient with HCM can develop symptoms, those with obstruction to the outflow of blood from the left ventricle are most likely to experience severe disability.

Patients with obstruction should take antibiotics before dental procedures to prevent blood-borne infection of the mitral valve. Women with HCM generally experience little difficulty during pregnancy and delivery, with the exception of some of those with advanced disease.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation occurs frequently in HCM and accounts for many unexpected hospitalizations and unscheduled work loss. Atrial fibrillation can be well tolerated and does not increase the risk of sudden death. In older patients, it may cause heart failure and stroke (clots can form in the enlarged and fibrillating atrium and travel to the brain). Because of the risk for stroke, anticoagulants are usually recommended. It may be necessary to control heart rate with drugs, or restore normal heart rhythm with an electric shock, or with medications.

Treatment

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the most reliable and effective treatment for HCM patients at high-risk. It has the potential to alter the disease course by automatically sensing and terminating lethal disturbances of heart rhythm, often in young people with little or no symptoms. ICDs are clearly warranted for those who survive a cardiac arrest, but should also be considered as a preventive measure for other high-risk HCM patients after taking into consideration the strength of their risk factors(s), the level of risk acceptable to patient and family, and the access to ICDs.

Should symptoms worsen despite medications and the patient’s lifestyle become unacceptable, major decisions about treatment depend on whether blood flow obstruction is also present. For those patients, the most standard option is the septal myectomy operation, in which the surgeon removes a small amount of muscle from the upper part of the septum. At experienced centers, myectomy has low operative mortality, and most patients experience long-lasting improvement in their capacity for physical activity. This is due to the return of pressures within the heart to the normal range and the elimination of mitral valve leakage.

For those patients who do not have ready access to major centers experienced with this operation, or who have unacceptable risk because of other medical conditions, advanced age, or previous heart surgery (or are insufficiently motivated for operation), 2 other treatment options are potential alternatives to a septal myectomy. Pacemakers may improve symptoms and reduce obstruction in some HCM patients, particularly those of advanced age. The data from several controlled trials suggest, however, that improvement with pacing is often largely a placebo effect.

The septal ablation technique has been developed, in which a small amount of absolute alcohol is introduced into a small coronary artery branch for the purpose of destroying heart muscle in the septum, leading to reduced obstruction and symptoms. Alcohol ablation and septal myectomy have similar risks. However, ablation is a new technique, follow-up of patients is relatively brief, and there is some concern that the permanent scar produced within the sep-tum could eventually generate serious rhythm disturbances and actually increase risk for sudden death.

Treatment options are more limited for patients having severe symptoms without obstruction, such as those reaching the "end-stage" phase in which pumping capacity becomes impaired. Such patients may become candidates for a heart transplant.

Common Misconceptions About HCM


With HCM will my life be shortened? Probably not, although the disease can have important implications for some patients. HCM is compatible with normal life expectancy, often with few if any complications.

I am afraid my heart will continue to enlarge until something bad happens. Usually the thickening process in HCM ceases by the time full growth and maturity is achieved (at about age 17 to 18). There are extraordinary exceptions, but this rule covers about 90% to 95% of the relevant clinical situations.

Will injection of alcohol into my septum be a cure? Alcohol septal ablation is a promising alternative to surgery that can decrease obstruction and symptoms. However, HCM is a chronic disease, and none of the available treatments can be regarded as a "cure."

My cardiologist says I have obstruction and need a major procedure, but I feel fine. Obstruction can have consequences over long periods of time and may need to be relieved. However, major interventions such as surgery and alcohol ablation are not justified unless patients also have symptoms that significantly limit their lifestyle.

I am afraid I am getting worse; my obstruction went from 20 (mm Hg) to 30 (mm Hg); or, I am getting better; my gradient went from 30 (mm Hg) to 20 (mm Hg). Patients should be aware that obstruction in HCM can change under a variety of circumstances from day-to-day (even hour-to-hour); therefore, small variations in either direction should not be taken as evidence of worsening or improvement in their disease.

I have been told that I may need surgery, but that it is dangerous. I think I would like to try something safer. Actually, in experienced hands, surgery has a risk of only 1% to 2% (and even less in recent years), which is similar to that for alcohol septal ablation.

I have heard that HCM is more common in men. HCM is transmitted as a dominant trait and precisely one-half of those who inherit the gene are men and one half are women. However, HCM often goes unrecognized in women, who represent only about 40% to 45% of those patients in published clinical studies.

WHEW...thats a lot of sh** isn't it...but that helps explain it for those that might be "freakin" out, it's all good...I've got good doctors and am pretty stubborn...

On another note, one of my riding buddies from the west coast is coming out this week and will be going out riding this weekend...I will be taking him to see the local "stomping" grounds at Patapsco, then going up to Gambrills Water Shed for some more "narly" east coast riding...anyone is welcome to come along, let me know...

C-ya all on the trails, but NO RACING!!! :)
Ed

Monday, September 22, 2008

2008 Race Season Completed!






This past weekend was the Bear Creek Summer Showdown, last Race of the MASS series for 2008. I started the year out in California with my first race on February 10th 2008...since then this past weekend completed 30 total races for the season..way too many! I started getting burned out approx a month ago...tried to revive my spirt by doing group fun rides during the week so as not to think of it as "training", but I guess I just needed to take the time off, would have been better all around...Oh well I did survive...

Finished up the weekend in 10th out of 10 in the Single Speed class, and 4th overall for the season...I am very proud of myself for the acomplishments gained this year...Competing in the SS class in the beginning was somewhat humbling never having the opportunity to stand on the podium (once this year)going against the "young guns" did become rather fun "ribbing" some of the youngins that this old man just about beat ya..:) For you non-racers, the Single Speed class is "open", it does not have an age range like the other classes...which I will compete in next year, the 50+ guys (if my Doctor permits).

Bear Creek is a very suitable race course for a finale...it has climbing that will sap your lungs...rocks like you've never seen...lots and lots of them, strangley very few log hops...funny I remember last year "blasting" through this course, granted I was on a full suspension geared bike and we only had one lap to do...I think this year with "burnout" and SS it got the best of me...I was determined to finish even if I had to walk the whole course, which it felt like on the last lap...the rocks actually felt good today, I went through most all the rock gardens riding them and not "dabbing". But the hills really took their toll...I had to pay close attention to my heart rate this race so I spent alot of time recovering on the hills by walking and then "bombing" on the DH's.


I will really miss the weekend races for the group of friends vs. the races themselves, that is the biggest fun about racing...hanging out with all my new buddies...hopefully we can all continue to get together throughtout the fall and winter doing "fun" rides...I know there is a Jamboree in Nov. so I'm already counting down the days...I really enjoy my group rides on Tuesday night and Wednesday night, their all a super bunch of guys to ride with...now if I can include maybe some additional nights...and for you that know, don't forget we still have to complete on "adventure" at Patapsco real soon...

After my upcoming Doctor appointments I'll keep you all abreast as to my riding abilities, may need to slow down a bit for a while, we'll see...until then, keep pedaling, rubber side down, and all those other cliches, c-ya on the trails...

Oh yeah, and BIG thanks to everyone for making this past year so great!!! Love ya all for your support and encouragement, but most especially just for your friendship, it means alot to me to hear you all acknowlege me at the races and I apologize to you if I had not remembered your name....I do remember your faces though, and it makes me very happy to have done something for you too. Again THANKS!!!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Stans Blowing Out





This was during the Shasta Lemurian Race in California this past May...the "smoke" coming from the front tire is actually Stans burping out!!!

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Back To Back Weekend




Went up to Randy & Gunnars cabin this weekend for a couple races...the first race was on Saturday at Wellsboro...the 15th Annual Laurel Mountain Classic...Gunnar kept teasing me about ALL the STEEP climbing that was invloved...he wasn't teasing, there was..whew!!! Rather tough on SS and just 10 days after surgery, 21 miles too...the location was perfect, central northern PA...just on the edge of the Hurricane, so we only received a slight drizzle AFTER the race...This race featured the Single Speed class as OPEN for sport/expert, yikes, felt strange looking back at the Sport pack, and being up front with all those expert riders for the MASS start...heck I was right behind Ray from Visit PA team, didn't last when the "horn" went off, hahaha...

More to follow, I'm tired right now, just had to get something up for now, will write some more tomorrow...BTW thanks, Randy & Gunnar, your great friends!!! Todays race made my 29th of the season!!

Well I'm back...I've been to the doctor to check out why my thigh swelling hasn't gone down (actually grew a little)..well it seems to be full of blood, so he may want to go back in and "suck" it out...find out more on Thursday...

The Laurel Mt Classic was everything everyone said it was...very grass roots, steep, variety, (ie water, logs, rocks)...but you know in a good way, it seemed to flow, never got to the point where it was to much for too long, just the right amount...the weather was okay...it didn't rain during the race, and the sun wasn't out, but it made it very humid, your sweat couldn't evaporate (consequently, wouldn't allow your body to cool)...but brother the descents on this ride would certainly cool ya off with the speed you could get...
The "Stinger" was something else...VERY STEEP DH...sat way back and just pretty much "slid" through...tapping off the brake just in time to make corrections in the direction...
then came the "GREEN MONSTER" everyone was talking about...a grassy hill with a single track in the middle and it just kept rising, just when you thought it was going to top out you came over another little rise to see it going further...must have lasted 15 plus min.s... you know though every time there is a lot of climbing there is always the reward of some kind of DH...one little short burst of DH under the power lines was a grassy descent which had a hidin little "bump"...it had a very bad angle to it...saw it at the last second, yanked my front end up tied to bunny hop the ass end at the last second and "whew" cleared it...could have been a very nasty endo...I heard someone did get hurt there...

The end of the race was FANTASTIC...it was a "Super D" all the way..at least 2+ miles of DH Single Track, mostly smooth, a few rock sections (but going so damn fast just skimmed right over them, passed approx 3-4 riders by yelling out "hot rider" and they'd pull over, thank god cause I had some great 30+mph speed going here...it was actually so long my arms were starting to tire and I was wondering if you really could get tired of DH...hahahaha...NEVER, but whew tough on the arms...there was one little dip which I saw at the last second braked HARD, then let off and jumped it the best I could and got back on the pedals as fast as I could to get the speed back up...then boom...right out onto the dirt road where we started, round the corner and a "squirt" to the finish...no one behind me and no one in front...but I still pedalled it out like a hammster...always finish in a sprint even if by your self!!!

We then headed back to the cabin....more again in a day or so....

Spent another great night at the cabin...very cool place way up near the top of a mountain.

BTW on the drive north from Baltimore I discovered that the front tire holders on a Thule bike rack don't hold up well over 100+MPH...they want to come off, the tire holder flopped back some and one tire actually came a little loose, so in the car they went...the bike holds firmly though...

Sunday we got up early for a long drive over to Ringwood New Jersey for another race..yep a glutten for punishment. Looking back I really shouldn't have done this race, or for that matter either, simply because I thought my leg would be fine well....it may be the unerlying reason for the "GIANT" blood blister now...but oh well, I am "hard" headed....the day turned out perfect htough and the location was awesome, right next to a lake. You would never know that we're only 30 miles outside New York City in "gods" country. The race was 2 laps of (they said) 7 miles, my computer read 8+ miles...the course started out on a fire road relatively flat, then a gradual climb at te end of the road, slowly turning into double then single track...and it kept getting rockier and rockier as we went...so much so that I stopped enjoying myself and so did my leg when I endod and hit it...ouch...so by the time I finished the first lap I had it!!! I pulled out and waited for Gunnar...he did really good, Gunnar got 2nd place, way to go...

We saw some familar faces and spent some time talking to them...Aaron Synder, Rob L. and Matt...Great guys...Aarons a very good ambassador for the sport...he goes out of his way to approach, encourage and talk to the young racers, nice to see...thanks Aaron...

A few things I took out of this weekend (and even at this age we all still continue to learn)...1. trust you doctor and your gut feelings 2. Pre-ride, not knowing the course and selecting the wrong gear on a SS will "kill" ya :) 3. If it's not fun, DON'T DO IT...save yourself for another day :)

Have fun all!!! Keep the rubber side down!!! And help others along the trails, who knows it may be you sometime that needs the help...KARMA!!!