bunnyman is going through a few changes. I have had a few future-altering events happen to make some changes necessary, and I am having a difficult time deciding what to do.
New conditioning protocol is started. I am going back to what exercises the PT gave me for my car wreck four years ago. I am going to see the PT once again to get more exercises to strengthen the core, and also to see what else is going wrong. There will be no running or cycling until I start to feel better.
As soon as the back gets better, a new bike fitting will be in order. I am going for my road and tri fittings.
New job: it looks like the owner of where I primarily work is wanting to drastically change our way of life, and it is incompatible with what I wish to do with mine. I don’t see anything positive from the upcoming changes; though it would be a great opportunity for one who has never had the freedom that I currently enjoy (and won’t anymore from what I understand). I may move during this change, which I want to live in a place where I can train outdoors ten months or more per year. Do I get a new “real job” or try to make the institute full time? Deadline for change: 2006.
bunnyman institute is expanding into RC cars. Most of you who care to read know this, but I plan to roll out a rolling chassis using either AE or Traxxas parts. I will start with a 1/10 electric touring car, and I am also going to do a couple of wild experiments.
bunnyman institute has a pro triathlete trying out it’s water bottle holder. I can’t say whom it is, unless this person wants a water bottle holder given to them in exchange for my name on their person and/or bike. But it is a huge step towards legitamacy.
The replacement bracket for the Minoura water bottle cage holder has officially been killed. I have decided that there is no market for what essentially is a $25 (retail) part that has a $50 torque wrench that goes with it, making it a $75 part. It goes against my gram savings theorem, and I do believe that I would have 998 torque wrenches lying around as a result of the planned retail price of the set (about $75-100). I have perfected the clamp, but would definitely need to supply a torque wrench to keep these things from popping off of the saddle rails. They make an interesting sound when over-torqued, the saddle probably having much to do with the sound.
I am not going to participate in the tub vs.clincher debates (as I know what is better). I am also not going to harp on integrated headsets (as I already know what is better), as well as why I don’t think 1" carbon steer tubes are good on a tri bike, or the fact that the bottom bracket really should not change from it’s current diameter or why square taper is better (though I don’t use a square taper BB on my tri bike- but what I have is essentially what Shimano copied). I will refrain from being grouchy, though I will still express my opinions. There are many people on the web a LOT smarter than I who have eloquently stated these things on the web without emotion; something that I seemingly have no ability to do…
I am only going to give advice to those who want it. I am not going to argue with anybody anymore, as I will only suggest an alternative. I will hope that others will follow suit.
I will also refrain from any religious or political discussion, as I can barely stomach it these days (maybe from the days that I worked in a campaign or two).
Wow, lot of stuff for one post. Will you be able to do any cardio during this PT regimen? Getting the heart rate up is a MUST DO for my state of mental well being. Swimming maybe?
I walk for about twenty-five minutes at a vigorous pace. One things feel a bit better, the bike and run will come back. I can’t stay on a bike for over an hour and a half, and running has not happened seriously for a little over a year.
I am not a swimmer, but maybe I should start. Thanks for the suggestion.
Doug, I’m not much of a swimmer either, but I have to admit, it gives me something to fix on whenever I have an injury that keeps me off of the bike/run. Serves multiple purposes - gives me a goal to learn to swim better, and keeps the heartrate up. Added benefit is that it tones the upper body, something many cyclists/runners are badly in need of (IMO).
Swim kicking also strengthens leg/hip muscles that are neglected on the bike and may help keep you injury free in the long run.
AND, it is where I met Mrs. Schwingding.
I can’t believe I’m advocating swimming, yet it seems to be true.
Bunnyman,
I can’t remember if you have tried a beam bike, but Zack uses one for that exact reason. Some good core exercises can be VERY helpful. Also, about 12-14 years ago I tried wearing braces (suspenders) at my wife’s behest. (This requires slightly larger waist pants with higher rise.) The first day I came home and realized that my back hadn’t hurt all day. The next day same result. (I spend all day bent over lots of kids, so my back takes it on the chin.) I’ve had back problems since 1969. All of the above have drastically reduced my pain. Wearing jeans on the weekend often brings it back.
That’s a lot on your plate and you sound a bit depressed from all those changes and not being able to work out to relieve your stress. We’ve all had days and weeks like that and you will be feeling your oats shortly. Keep plodding, or doing the bunny hop.
I wouldn’t worry about arguing with anyone here. We’re all used to fighting amongst ourselves and wouldn’t know what to do if peace slid in a side door or something.
if your considering moving try tucson. As for the beam bike I’ll second that. I’ve had/got some LB issues and the softride was my saving grace back in the mid 90’s. The trek 5200 was painful, the softride was like riding a soft pillow that went like a rocket.
hope all gets better
I have not considered suspenders, but it could be worth a shot.
Beam bikes- I would have to really sell this to mrs. bunnyman. I said that the Fox was my last shot at a TT/multisport bike. I do NOT want to get rid of Samantha. But maybe a tubeed beam bike could be the ticket, especially if the price is right.
Core exercises- this is what I am doing in a rehab manner right now. After having some lackluster rides over the past month, this seems to be the answer for the moment.
If I did not have Trixie (my little daughter, a black and white Dutch Dwarf), I would definitely be much more depressed. Also, this new RC car habit has come to pass the time. I also have a project on the back burner, as well as a HIGHLY frustrating project that I can’t get it just right.
The career-related things are a bit tougher to handle. My career is part of the reason why my body is all f***ed up. I wish I would have gotten a bit more education so that I could get out of this job without taking a drastic paycut.
I will have a carrot, some grapes, a strawberry or two with my daughter Trixie (or Boo Boo, as I call her) and get my pink nose up.
Wifey wants a place her mumsy can visit from home, so Florida, having a shorter airflight and nicer weather seems to be the prime location. I hope we can get something going within the next year.
Are you suggesting that you might move to Florida? The Clermont area is beautiful and has lots of hills to train on, unlike the rest of the State. USAT training center is there. Except for that, ain’t much going on. Very ahhhh, rural?
I used to have a bad RC car habit, well before a tri habit. I’ve been meaning to break them out again, and there’s a new track being built in central florida too – http://www.orccc.org/ . What are you getting into, off-road, on-road, both?
I am not going to participate in the tub vs.clincher debates (as I know what is better). I am also not going to harp on integrated headsets (as I already know what is better), as well as why I don’t think 1" carbon steer tubes are good on a tri bike, or the fact that the bottom bracket really should not change from it’s current diameter or why square taper is better
Before you run off and order a beam bike, allow me to be at least a lone detractor.
I bought into the Softride “fix your back” mania in 1998. It didn’t do a damned thing for my lower back pain, and only made me slower. I think that my Softride was the worst riding thing I’ve been on since a Big Wheel, maybe worse, as I have great memories of my Big Wheel. You can read through this thread up top to see what finally fixed my problem, but it wasn’t the Softride that is at this moment boxed up and ready to ship to the guy from WA who was high bid on eBay last week.
I replaced that Softride with an Aegis Swift and was immediately stronger and more capable on the bike. Crashed that, then had a Calfee made for me. Greatest bike I’ve ever been on.
MY Softride was a tank. Complete bike weighed 20 pounds, with Dura Ace and Heds, and it handled like an Abrams, kind of “aimed” it down the road. I would definitely recommend against a Softride. I tried to make the best of mine, and it went the 112 miles a couple of times, but good Lord am I glad its in a box and ready to leave the state.
Dude, I just don’t have the energy for those things. I also want to contribute to this forum in a positive way, and I just can’t get myself to say things like “integrated headsets are the worst engineering blunder since the Hindenberg” anymore (though I still feel that way). I know why they’re bad, and most people can find out why by doing a bit of research.
Now, if handlebars go to a ridiculous diameter like 50mm and taper to 25.4mm, then this is a new area of discussion, and I will likely post on it one time.
