03 December 2013

Celebrate!

Just Below the Dam

I marked the 8-year/353-day anniversary of emergency back surgery with a nice ride up Waterton Canyon. For nearly nine years, I'd been working on my climbing skills whenever I could. A few times, I was able to go beyond the dam, where the road grade ramps up significantly. Two or three times, I was able to make it up to the second bench, or the official starting point of the Colorado Trail, which winds through some of the tallest Rockies nearly 500 miles to Durango.

For nine years, I've wanted to make it back up to the third bench, Lenny's Bench, the very top of Waterton Canyon. But I just didn't have the strength, the ability to tolerate rock and root bumps, and the stamina to ignore pain and/or discomfort for the steep single track portion of the ride.

Three days before my 9th anniversary, I made it to the second bench again.

Success!!!

Seven days later, I did it again. My adrenaline was on fire. I still felt pretty good, so I kept going. I made it to the first switchback, where I opted to turn back because the narrow and rocky ascent was getting beyond my descent skill set. I made it up two short, steep and extremely bumpy sections, and I had to walk all the rest of the steep, bumpy sections. I had to walk down all the steep, bumpy sections. But I got higher than I've been on that trail in nearly 10 years.

I set a goal to make it to the top, to Lenny's Bench, on my next ride.

I celebrated the 9-year/11-day anniversary of emergency back surgery with a windy and bitter cold ride up Waterton Canyon...

ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!

I made it up two more short but steep sections without having to dismount, and I was able to ride down portions of two short steep and rocky sections. My confidence is growing. And I'm still getting stronger.

The last time I made it up to Lenny's Bench was my fourth or fifth date with The Lizard nearly a decade ago. I didn't know if I'd ever see that bench again!

Climb On

determination

I'm making it!

Oooops.  Couldn't make it.

Lizard, quit shooting my derriere!

Joy

The Top

Sighs, Signs, Everywhere Signs, Blocking up the Scenery...

Can I take a nap?

Worth It

Rest for the Green Queen

The Bench

CT

proud cyclist

Shooting Me Shooting You

Shooting You Shooting Me

13 comments :

  1. Congratulations! You never cease to amaze me!

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  2. Well done! You are an inspiration to anyone recovering from surgery or injury.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, Anne, thank you. Fun to think my story might be inspiring someone else!

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  3. Congrats on making it to the top, that sure is a feat even without the back surgery, even more so having it

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  4. Wow, so much to celebrate! WooHoo!

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  5. That is fabulous! Exceeding your own expectations is a true accomplishment. And you did it all on a hardtail mountain bike. Woo! I find that my rear suspension makes my lower back much happier about the bumps.

    Congrats!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, KB! I know you understand the back pain more than anyone. And you are an inspiration to me!

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  6. Woo Hoo! Fantastic job! You ROCK!!!!!

    I admire you so much for doing this - I am a total wimp when it comes to mountain biking (and I don't even have a bad back!). Great work Deb!

    What a very striking jersey.

    P.S. Loved the "derriere" caption.... :)

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    Replies
    1. That jersey was my Halloween costume last year, Sue! We decorated the bike with cobwebs, and I attached one of my crocheted snowflakes to my helmet. And of course, I have those Tire Fly lights that attach to the spokes, and I put the spider lights on both wheels. It was hilarious! But not good enough to win the costume contest at work...

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  7. P.P.S. And a very touching plaque on the bench.

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