Day 19 - July 17, 2003

Ride in Pain

Ride from Alexandria, Virginia to Roanoke, Virginia

We woke up this morning and examined Karen’s ankle. Since the doctor had assured us that there was no fracture and since the foot looked perfectly normal, we decided to see if she could ride. First the test. I got her bike out where she could just ride it straight through the parking lot. I watched closely as she lifted the bike from the kickstand and then heel the kickstand. So far so good. The she had to put it in gear and ride it. She did fine, all around the parking lot and insisted she was able to ride. Next, I loaded up the t-bags and pack, etc. and let her try. She seemed ok, so off we went. I decided on a short ride, so 200 miles turned into 275, but she seemed ok. When I’d ask, she’d say, “It hurts but I’m ok.” I guess when it is happening to you is the only time you can really say if it hurts, but sometimes it hurts more than we think it does and we try to ignore the pain. Anyway we finally got to Roanoke and made it to the Honda dealer just in time to get my new seat out of hawk before they closed. In fact, we were strapping it down when they shut the doors. Maybe I forgot to mention it, but we had tried to buy a seat for my bike back in Ohio at the bike show, but no one had one in stock. Since we were going right by the factory in Connecticut, we decided to stop there and get one. When we got within a few miles of the place, we called and were informed that we had to purchase and pick up from a dealer; they sold nothing from the factory. So to make sure it would get there before we did, we had it shipped to this place. We then checked into a local motel after giving Karen a chance to ride with my seat attached to her bike. She has a luggage rack that I don’t so that was the only place to put it. Besides it was my birthday present, so she had to deliver it. Since she didn’t get it in time for my birthday, I made her ride across the country to get it. Seems fair, doesn’t it? Anyway we checked in and she wanted to take off her splint and to elevate her foot, so off came the boot. Oh sh..., I was not expecting that. The foot was terribly bruised on both sides of the foot and it was swollen. So I put her on the porch, propped up her foot, iced it down and told her to relax and watch. Next I changed my seat and adjusted her clutch. Next of course, I had to test out the new seat. I can’t really tell if there is going to be a lot of difference yet, but seems to have more lower-back support, so I’m hoping for the best.

The ride was beautiful. The countryside has got to be one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. We rode past Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. Considering Karen’s foot, I didn’t think another walk around a plantation would be a great idea. There is a road along here called the Blue Ridge Parkway, that should be a great ride. It is supposed to be 469 miles of some of the best views in the country. Maybe if Karen is feeling better, we’ll take in part of the road. I suspect there are some of those winding mountainous type roads that require a lot of shifting, so we’ll have to see. Well it’s time to stop day dreaming so that I can go to sleep and dream. So whether in my dreams, or for real, I’ll see you on the byways…