Beer, Bikes, and Snow

An update since my last post about my #bumthumb.  We had a long-weekend getaway planned prior to my injury.  It was the perfect distraction leading up to my surgery.  We headed to Cleveland to see a Yankees/Indians game, spent almost 7 hours at the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, and hit the Christmas Story House on our way home. During this time I was also researching all the UCL surgery and rehab links I could.  I also reached out to Chloe Woodruff for moral support and advice.  Sort of weird, but I met her at the Starbucks in Snowshoe during Nationals.  I already followed her on IG and knew of her UCL injury .  Hearing from her and where she was in her recovery gave me some hope for my return to the bike. My surgery was scheduled for 11 am at the Somerset Ambulatory Surgical Center .  I arrived early for check-in.  I eventually made my way in to the prep area, where nurses checked my vitals and got me ready for surgery.  The staff we...

I've seen plenty of friends post their injuries from riding.  I guess I always considered myself lucky to finish my rides with little or no injuries.  But that luck ran out. I was keeping off social media for a while about this - more because of the "unknown" until I saw the specialist.  Honestly though I'm growing tired of having to tell the story every time I see someone who doesn't know. Last Saturday I chose to go to Mountain Creek early by myself.  It was an awesome morning - quiet on the mountain, I got the first gondola up.  I went from top to bottom nonstop for two hours.  As the day carried on I started hitting the natural/tech trails.  I was feeling good. I chose to ride a challenging trail, The Jack, which has challenged me in the past.  I got to the one turn, full of drops and well...I fell.  And as I fell, I put my hand out to brace my fall.  And I felt a "pop".  I knew it was bad instantly.  I got myself ...