THREE WEEKS (now YEARS) SINCE COLLARBONE SURGERY

For those of you interested in the progression of broken collarbone recovery, here're some photos 'n' such. (For the most current update, three years later, go here.) Below is me the day after surgery with a giant maxi-pad type bandage on my shoulder, feeling high on life and Percoset.

Now please take a moment to enjoy my scar photos!

Above is two days after surgery--or, as I keep wanting to write, sugary--mit large maxi-pad-ish bandage removed. Finally able to shower. Fetching scar, don't you think? I had Steri-strips rather than stiches and they had to stay on for about 10 days. Below is at about the 10-day mark, Steri-strips removed, and is closer to what it looks like today at the three-week point. (For those of you scoring at home, I had sugary a week after I broke me clavicle so the referred to three-week point is actually four weeks since I broke it.)

The scar is pretty Frankensteinish, about five inches long, but becoming smoother looking every day. With the swelling down, I can feel bumps (sorta) on my collarbone ridgeline which I can only guess are the screwheads. Feels like I'm part robot.

Mellow Johnny Boy Clark is about two-and-a-half weeks behind me on this whole thing (feels good to finally be ahead of him in something) and so we've been able to help each other in our recoveries, pumping our respective surgeons for info on what we can and can't do.

At three weeks, I'm pretty much 99 perecent out of my sling. I can finally drive a little (both our vehicles have manual transmissions and because I broke my right side, driving was verboten), I've done a bit of stationary bike, steep treadmill walking, some eliptical trainer and yesterday did my first 45-minute spin class which was super fun and super hard. (I'd forgotten what a great spin class Mary Latta leads.) No running until at least the six-week mark when I'll see my surgeon again. As for real bike riding, I took the single-speed out for a very mellow six-block ride a couple times last weekend. Felt great but also a little scary; I so don't want to fall on my shoulder. I don't really feel any pain per se, just some stiffness in my shoulder, and it's more the idea (or fear?) that I'll move my arm in such a way that pops all nine screws out of my clavicle bone-slash-titanium plate that at times gives me pause.

Been thinking how Team Unattacked has quite a few months here. Titanium Cancellara (Scott Young) broke his scaphoid last August, John and I got hit by a tree in November and then broke our respective collarbones the following April/May. Perhaps we should change our name--Team Always Attacked? Team WTF? Team Titanium (since John and I now have titanium collarbone plates)? Team Try-to-Stay-on-Your-Friggin'-Bike-for-a-Change? Team Try-to-Stay-Out-of-the-Friggin'-Emergency Room? ...

CAN'T QUITE BRING MYSELF TO RACE ... YET

Well, I had grand plans to race a few of the BuDu mountain bike races and though the weather's been really good, my grand plans so far have come to nothing. Already I've missed two races including one yesterday. 

Not that I've not been riding: Saturday, we did what I've come to call the Dictionary-Pine and Cedar-Long Around route. About 30 miles with 3,500 feet of climbing including the killer long steep one up the back side to Pine and Cedar--just an all around nasty and inappropriate climb followed almost immediately by my favorite descent around here, the Hemlock Trail. (It was Mellow Johnny Clark, the Titanium Cowboy Scott Young and Doctor Professor Steve Vanderstaay.) Then Sunday (single-speed Sunday) was Der Mullet, Der Three Pigs, Der etc., so I'm getting in the bike time, that's for sure.

I guess it's just hard to justify a two-hour drive for a 50-minute race that starts at noon followed by a two-hour drive home, which is what most of the BuDu races would require of us Bellinghamsters. So much easier and more pleasant to roll out of bed at 7:30 a.m., be riding at 8 with the Team Unattacked squad, and back home with the family by 11-11:30-ish. (Though it looks like the March 28 race in Coupeville starts at 10 a.m. so that's a possibility.) More likely I'll wait for the Indie Series races starting in May; I think their Sport/Single-Speed races start at 10:30 a.m., not quite the all-day killer that a noon start is.

Also on my radar, sorta kinda, is the High Cascades 100 mountain bike race in August down in Bend, Ore. Though I have no aptitude for the ultra-long stuff, I do feel the need to do at least one 100-mile race in my life. And I've always wanted to see Bend. 

GALBRAITH SATURDAY

'Nother great weekend of riding. Whilst the East Coast got pounded with some 25-30 inches of snow we enjoyed a beautiful Saturday in B'ham. Above, Dr. Steve Professor dude (Steve Vanderstaay) and the Titanium Cowboy (Scott Young) discuss something heavy near the Towers at the top of Galbraith Mountain. Mount Baker, just behind, appears to be listening in.

Below, Glenn Gervais and nice guy Richard (sorry, I don't know his last name)--each with their spiffy new 29ers--catch their collective breaths after the climb to the top. Don't care how many times I've done it, that climb's never easy. Below, Scott and I, who called each other earlier to find out what the other was wearing, about to begin the fun, rollicking descent. (Mellow Johnny was with us too but, pulling his typical diva behavior, refused to be in any of the photos.)

Funny thing, the way it worked out. Scott is coming back from a broken hand so we're trying to baby him by looking for non-technical trails. But somehow we found ourselves over on the north side of the mountain and the desire for fun takes over and we end up riding SST and that new one at the end of that (Bonanza Connector?) which has some seriously silly drops and berms. But we all lived and I think even thrived.

Sunday, Mellow Johnny and I got out for another two-and-a-half hours. Great, great fun!

AIN'T NUTHIN' BUT A MUD THING

I'm certainly not complaing about this winter's riding weather--last year we rode in snow from November through March, it seemed--but this weekend was by far the muddiest. Had a huge Team Unattacked turnout for Saturday--five of us, Mellow Johnny, Titanium Cowboy, the Professor, GG Tri Guy and myself--for the 25 mile (or so) Lost Lake loop; Interurban Trail first.

One of those days in which, from the first pedal stroke, I know I'm not 100 percent but I did what I could. We'd planned on doing the Samish Loop into the heart of Chuckanut-Blanchard No Man's Land and return via Pine and Cedar lakes, but I whimped out. That big climb out of the Mud Lake hole a-frighted me, I was soaking wet (it had been spitting rain the whole time), and not to be one of those big phonys about it like everybody else is nowadays, but I think I was a little despressed about J.D. Salinger having just died and all. ("Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.")

Mud was crazy thick especially on the descent into Lost Lake, but you get to that point where you can't get any muddier or wetter and you're not freezing cold (yet) and you're having the time of your life with a great group of guys. And this is what keeps me coming back again and again and again. Three of us stopped for a cuppa at Woods Coffee at Boulevard Park on the way back where we scored the coveted outdoor fireplace seat. (That's me, the Professor, and Mellow Johnny.)

Sunday, I was feeling even worse at the start and came close to cancelling on Johnny Boy, but I fired up the single-speed and we headed up for a two-and-a-half hours on Galbraith. Tried some new downhill trail parallel to the Three Pigs; I wouldn't say that it was made for a rigid fork 29er but it was fun nonetheless. Muddy as heck though.

It's no mystery why I felt so crummy both days: these past two weeks I've been doing two-a-day run-bike intervals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Essentially, four interval workouts in three days.) Then riding long-ish back-to-back on weekends. Anyway, I think it caught up to me so my grand plan to take it easy this week. ("Grand. There's a word I really hate. It's a phony. I could puke every time I hear it.")

WORDS TO FOLLOW

Friday, took me sister down to the Skagit Flats area to see snow geese by the thousands. A couple bald eagles flew by and sent the geese skyward in a tizzy. (Whereupon various hunters, unfortunately, took aim and brought down a few. Seemed a bit like shooting fish in a barrel, if you know what I mean.)

Saw a couple dozen bald eagles too, including this regal eagle high above the banks of the Skagit River.

That was Friday; Saturday Mellow Johnny, the Titanium Cowboy and I rode together for the first time since TC broke his scaphoid in the late '50s--I mean, August. Took the Interurban up to Fragrance Lake Road to Burnout Road, which boasts the best Samish Bay-San Juan Islands viewpoint on Chuckanut Mountain. (Saw our trail angels Laura Todd and Val Thompson on the way up.)

Scott turned around here, John and I continued up where things get nasty--four really, really steep pitches, the last of which is unridable now because of some huge drainage ditch-culvert thingees that've been dug into the road. Walked our bikes that last bit then had the fun, screaming descent partway down So Easy before detouring over to the Dictionary, the Lost Lake Trail and back through Arroyo Park.

Sunday, Steve "Professor" Vanderstaay joined Mellow Johnny and I for a couple hours on Galbraith, me pretending I'm hard-core by riding the single-speed. Mega-fun. (In the afternoon, Clark and I saw the Cody Rivers Show which, again, was brilliant.)

Shot of Mount Baker from the Skagit Flats.

TEAM UNATTACKED UNVEILS OFFICIAL COIF

Bellingham, WA (AP) --Team Unattacked today unveiled the official hairdo they'll be sporting on roads and trails this upcoming season. Along with being quite sporty, not to mention fetching as heck, the coifs will hopefully protect team members from falling branches, limbs, tree trunks and the like.
Above, TU's Mike McQuaide who, despite being clobbed by an assaulting alder tree two months ago, still resembles a younger, fitter-looking Johnny Depp, models the blonde, inflatable, That-Girl-ish bouffant.
"I'm diggin' it," said McQuaide. "It might not be super aero but aero isn't all it's cracked up to be. Besides, I'm more into turning heads than riding fast."

McQ's FAVORITE PHOTOS OF '09

In no particular order, here are some of my favorite photos 'n' memories from 2009.

Here's a primo campsite at the foot of Sahale Glacier in the middle of the North Cascades. Jim Robbins (now of Maine, dammit) and I went on an awesome hike there last August. To get there, head to Cascade Pass and just keep going. Up and up and up ...

The lovely Jen McQuaide snapped this photo just after I finished the Padden Mountain Bike duathlon. Perfect composition: she managed to get Team Unattacked's Titanium Cowboy and Mellow Johnny in there as well. (Not to mention my fringed cowboy shirt.)

John Clark (Mellow Johnny) rides the Little Summit Trail near the top of Mount Constitution on Orcas Island.

 

Cool shot taken by Baker McQuaide at the Bellingham Skatepark.

Some really cool guy racing the Padden Mountain Pedal just moments before his dang chain busted. Photo by http://www.adamleahyphotography.com/.

Scott "Titanium Cowboy" Young joined the 29er ranks this past year and, to noone's surprise, proved to be a fat-tire stud right off the bat.

Swans near sunset in the Skagit Valley.

 

Chiropractor nice guy Steve Noble ripping up a descent on Lower Bob's up at Galby, as the kids call it.

And lastly, the McQ family wishin' y'all a Happy 'n' Healty 2010!

SEATTLE TIMES SHOULDER SEASON STORY

Above, Mount Baker overlooking Bellingham, Lummi Island and lotsa water--the view to be had from the top of Orcas Island's Mount Constitution. See today's http://www.seattletimes.com/ for my story on things to do this time of year, including mountain biking on Orcas. It's in the Travel/Outdoors section and includes a cool photo of Team Unattacked's Mellow Johnny Clark.

TEAM UNATTACKED NEWS

This past Wednesday, Team Unattacked strongman Scott "Titanium Cowboy" Young underwent surgery on his broken scaphoid on his left hand. As you can see from the photo above, in which his hand bones resemble Chicken McNuggets, they put a screw in that big McNugget on the left. Always thinkin', Scott texted me that he made sure it has an Allen head so that he can use his bike tool to tighten it on rides if he has to. Get well soon, Scott!

Meanwhile, Mellow Johnny Boy Clark and I scouted out a locale for a future training camp. Yesterday, we went mountain biking on Orcas Island which, come Sept. 15, opens up about 20 more miles to the fat tire crowd. The trails are really nice--mostly wide and smooth with long, long descents (and climbs) and, on sunny days, probaby the most spectacular views around.

Above, John rides the Little Summit Trail, just below the top of Mount Constitution. That's Lummi Island, Bellingham (and Bellingham Bay) and Mount Baker in the distance. The weather and views were terrific and it felt like we had not only Moran State Park, but the whole island to ourselves. (Perhaps one of the few advantages of a tanking economy.) While John was shirking his responsibilities I was actually working, as this ride will be part of an upcoming story I'm writing for The Seattle Times. 

Riding Orcas Island reminded me of what a great place it is to run too. I'm considering running the Orcas Island 25K in February. (There's a 50K too for the John Clarks and Scott Youngs of the world.) Below, John and I strike a pose behind his Niner Air9. (I had my own bike, really I did.)

Sunday is the RunningShoes.com Duathlon in which I'm planning to ride (and push where necessary) my 29er single-speed. May wear my helmet too.

YET ANOTHER GALBRAITH MOUNTAIN VIDEO

Team Unattacked hit the south side of Galbraith last night linking up Woopsie Woodle with two of the Three Pigs. On the way out we dun throwed in Lower Bob's and Karma fer fun but by then the sun had dropped a little and it was too dark to get any good footage. Enjoy. Song is "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon.

RIDE TO ARTIST POINT

What a difference a year makes. Last summer, it seemed I pedaled the long and winding road to Artist Point just about every weekend. Here it is August and I just now made to the top for the first time in 2009. (Above, the Titanium Cowboy climbs the last stretch on what was his first Baker ascent ever.) I blame the 29er. And the Indie Series (www.indieseries.com), the last race of which is this Saturday in Greenwater, on the east side of Mount Rainier. I'll be there.

But back to the above. Last Sunday, Mellow Johnny Clark, Scott (T.C.) Young did the Glacier to Baker and back ride on another one of these spectacular summer days that we've been basking in since what seems like May. Those last 10 miles are a long, hard slog that never gets any easier no matter how many times I've ridden it. Still undecided about whether or not I'll do Ride 542 next month.

DEVILS GULCH STORY HITS SEATTLE TIMES

Check out today's Seattle Times Northwest Weekend section for my story about our Devils Gulch ride a couple weeks ago. The Times website includes a link to a helmet cam video I made complete with narration wherein I say "uh" and "um" about 50 times--pretty cool. Here's the link: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2009519193_nwwdevilsgulch23.html

In other news, with Mellow Johnny back from Europe, Team Unattacked got out for its first full squad mountain bike ride last evening on Galbraith Mountain. Great fun. Roslyn Indie Series race (http://www.indieseries.com/) this weekend--looking forward to it!

TITANIUM COWBOY

Team Unattacked's tallest rider, Scott Young, scored a titanium 29er this past week and in true Scott Young fashion, quickly got bizy widdit. In his first two rides, he tackled both the upper and lower Padden courses and a bunch of stuff on Galby including the Mullet, Rock 'n' Roll, Upper and Lower Bob's and lots more. He's a natural! Can't wait for Mellow Johnny Boy Clark to see this!

FIRST MOUNT BAKER HIGHWAY RIDE 2009

Team Unattacked made its first 2009 appearance on the flanks of Mount Baker today when Scott "Titanium Cowboy" Young and I did the Glacier to Mount Baker Ski Area jaunt. "Mellow Johnny Boy" Clark couldn't join us as he cavorting in Europe 'til sometime after St. Smithens Day. Beautiful day, no wind, temps in the 50s and 60s.

Above, the Cowboy, sporting his new Belgian cyclocross champion jersey, rides my favorite stretch of the road, just past the ski area's White Salmon Day Lodge with its terrific views of the Nooksack Ridge to the right. (That's what's on the video.)

Below, Scott and I just past the upper lodge, at the 4,400 foot mark, where we had to turn around because of snow. Scott, as you can see, is a tad taller than I. Strong as a frickin' horse, he creates a fantastic draft which I took full advantage of on the way back. Forty four miles in all with 4,400 feet of climbing in about two hours fifty.

Shout out to our homey, John--we miss you; hope you're having a great time!

Oh, and a late shout out to Glenn Gervais too, who rocked Ironman Coeur d'Alene in 12:27, including a 4:06 marathon--SMOKIN'!!!

POWER LINE ROAD (I think)

Team Unattacked (John Clark, Scott Young, Steve Vanderstaay, me) rode up the Power Line Road today. Crazy steep. Climbs 2,300 feet in not much more than 3, 3-1/2 miles. That's not a 22-percent grade but it sure felt like it. Here's a vid with "Detlef Schremp" by Band of Horses. Kudos to Scott AKA Titanium Cowboy (TC) for riding it on a 'cross bike; that descent couldn't have been fun.

In all, we rode about 32 miles. About an hour to get out there, the killer climb, then a rollicking, fast ride back to town with a sprint to the city limits sign. (I believe Mellow Johnny took it.) Total elevation gain: 3,500 feet. Fun, fun morning.

GIRO D'SILVER LAKE

Tomorrow, two members of Team Unattacked are heading to the bustling metropolis that us Maple Falls for the Silver Lake Time Trials. (www.norkarecreation.com/Silverindex.htm) Scott "Cowboy" Young will ride the 22-miler on his road bike affixed with my aero bars. (Thus, when he sets a blazing time, I can take partial credit.) I'll ride the 7-miler on me Felt 29er mountain bike and follow that with the 22-miler on me Tarmac Pro sans aero bars. (Because I don't want to scratch its pretty carbon handlebars.) Weather looks good and the event has a reputation of being rather low-key, so I'm looking forward to a fun morning. (John "Mellow Johnny" Clark, the third member of Team Unattacked, is doing the Haggen to Haggen 5K tomorrow.)

In other news, the Giro d'Italia starts tomorrow. Here's my podium prediction: Levi, Menchov, Basso.

REESE HILL ROAD 'N' MORE

Saturday, Team Unattacked (John Clark, Scott Young and I), headed north up Sumas way for some Reese Hill action. Always good to get this one under one's belt. Did South Pass Road too so that Scott, who's riding the road bike segment for our Ski to Sea team could get some experience on the course. Funny, when you dread hills they're never as tough as you think they're going to be. And vice versa, and I think therein lies the key: dread all things so that nothing seems that bad. (God, I am not looking forward to writing this next sentence.) Put in 60 miles in all with some fun rolling ups and downs on Mission Road. (Hey, that sentence wasn't that bad!)


Thought I'd give an update on my race plans too. This Sunday (May 3) I'm planning on the Tucker Classic mountain bike race down at South Seatac. It'll be my first-ever race in the Indie Series (http://www.indieseries.com/), which I've heard nothing but good things about. The following Saturday I thought I'd try the Silver Lake time trials out Maple Falls way, maybe the 7-miler on the 29er, and the 22-miler on the Specialized Tarmac, sans aero bars. It's a Charlie Heggem production: (http://www.norkarecreation.com). May 17 is another Indie Series race, this one on Whidbey Island. And May 24 is B'ham's own World Championships, also known as Ski to Sea. I'm on Awesome Dawson Descending Masters, sponsored by Dawson Construction. (Thanks, Pete!) John's running, Scott's road biking and I'm mountain biking, for the first time ever. Should be fun!

TEAM UNATTACKED RIDES AGAIN

Saturday, got out for 45 miles in the relative sun of Northwest's Northwest. Great to be out wit da boyz.

Sunday, Stijn Devolder (below) comes through again at the Tour of (Ned) Flanders! Let us all bow down before him.

UBER EPIC RIDE

Team Unattacked headed out on their second training ride of the year. And what an epic one she was. Up Galbraith then down Road 4000 to Sudden Valley. Then up Lookout Mountain Road which climbs 2,200 feet in 5-1/2 miles and, as we found out, the top mile of which is still under a couple feet of snow. (As the video shows.)

Then down Lookout where Unattacked Scott Young split for home whilst tap dancing afficianado John Clark and I headed up to the Galbraith Towers. But first we "enjoyed" some straight up the hill bushwacking mit bikes on our shoulders. Killer. Then down via Wonderland, Mullet, etc.

Super great ride: 35 miles, 5,000 feet elevation gain, 4-1/2 hours.

AREA MAN RETURNS TO BIKE-THEMED BLOG

Also includes photos of snow geese and swans. What the--?

Reduced to walking by snow on upper reaches of Lookout Mountain.

Baker and the Twin Sisters from Lookout Mountain.

Looking south toward the San Juan Islands and Olympic Mountains from the top of Lookout Mountain.

Last week I headed down to Skagit County for a Seattle Times story I wrote about the annual gathering of trumpeter swans and snow geese. It'll be in this Thursday's Times.