Back To Utility Runs!!

Well, I made my first utility run on 'Rose', it was a run to the recycler dude - very good to be back able to do errands by bike, well trike. I look forward to the day Wanda and I set out for a food/grocery run to Stater Bros. like we used to!! The trike is a completely different animal to ride...I have to learn to relax my shoulders and just lean back and pedal. It pulled the trailer just fine, of course the plastic is a very light load, nonetheless it handled very well. Here's a shot of trike and trailer in the recycling lot:

The Newest Addition...

Well, everything worked out and I was able to pick up the ABT1X...her name is 'Rose'... This is from my first ride to the P.O. - 11.3 miles roundtrip - that's Wanda's Trek Allant behind her.

Everything Is For A Reason...

Well, here we are several weeks past my one year anniversary of filing my Workers Compensation claim and still nothing has been done. There is however light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train! My surgery should be scheduled soon and my benefits will be starting again. That being said, the 8 months of back pay is not going to be in the bank anytime soon, so, the Catrike Expedition is on hold - indefinitely. However, I do have a good chance at getting the suspended version of the original trike I was looking at - the Actionbent T1X - for a mere pittance of the Cat Expedition...everything happens for a reason!! As soon as I have the T1X safely home, I'll post some pictures!!

Closer, Ever So Closer....

Well, after passing the one year anniversary mark of my Workers Compensation claim, the Insurance Company that represents my former employer, has authorized my surgeries! Yay!! There is light at the end of the tunnel, and it isn't a train!! So, the next hurdle will be for my Attorney to get the retro benefits paid to us - the Insurance Company stopped paying last Dec because no treatment was approved and they said I was fine. OOPS, on their part. It all depends on when the surgery is and when the retro benefits are paid whether the  Expedition is here in time to ride it while I rehab, stay tuned for that.

A Cat 2 Climb...

Well, when my wife put our mini tour ( home to Tehachapi and back) on mapmyride we discovered that we will get to enjoy a 5.77 mile long Category 2 climb as we head into Tehachapi from the south east side of the mountains... Now, I haven't voluntarily ridden/climbed a Cat2 since my roadie/MTB days, so, today we are doing the route via automobile and making an 'outing' out of it. Should be fun, and umm, exciting, to drive the route and experience the grade from the car while visualizing spinning up it with trailer in tow - yep, a dog trailer. Hmmm, definitely gonna have to have our touring legs for this outing next year!! I'll have pics to post after we do the car trip to show the climb, if the pics come out!

The Excitement Builds!!

Well, I just passed another one of those birthday milestones "yay"... more importantly, I have made my clear choice on the trike that will carry me through rehab and beyond... This badboy will be my ride and the nice folks at http://www.utahtrikes.com/ will be the online store of choice for my purchase of said machine!

As far as cycling goes, the pain while riding my KHS TR 101 is borderline unbearable. I cannot wait for the proverbial dollars to be in the bank so I can order my new ride. Wanda has been having fun on http://www.mapmyride.com/ plotting out both training rides out here and our first 'mini-tour' to Tehachapi that hopefully will take place this time next year - provided all my surgeries have been completed and my rehab is going well. We are blessed with having a whole lot of roads out here in the desert to ride on, not too difficult to acrue mileage without going too far out of the way...a lot of loops out in the boonies - lol!

Some Not Really New, News...

Well, here it is April and I have an update on my Workers Comp case. I went to my AME (Agreed Medical Evaluator) this morning and he is moving my case forward to get my benefits back and get my elbows/wrists fixed. This is good news! My previous PTP (Primary Treating Physician) stopped his treatment of me without actually doing anything and thus my benefits were cut off back in December. So funding our existence has been interesting at best since I haven't had an actual pay check since Nov '10.

Our touring plans are still on, and we are still looking to see which 'trike will be the one for me...I can't wait to get back out spinning - saw Stage 4 of 'Tour of the Basque Country' on Universal Sports today...man, made me wish I was out there. Oh well, all in due time. Once we know my surgery schedule and figure out the finances we will be able to look real hard at a 'trike. I'll keep ya posted!