Blackheart

Does anyone know the condition of the trail after all the rains? I've never been (sorry Jono!) but would really like to start incorporating it into my rides. Also willing help with maintenance as and when its needed.

When cutting a fork steerer tube down - measure the length WITH the stem on..... And this I didn't do when working in a bike shop building up a customers brand new bike.

For me, urine and stool showed nothing. Not sure if bloods will ID exactly what type of cancer it is but I think can now pick up anomalies which need to be investigated. By the time I got to the surgeon my tumour was the size of a grapefruit and was actually visibly pushing the abs out. they didn't even need to put a dye in for the scan, so we were well past microscopic detection and into the rubber gloves department. My experience was 20 years ago though, so I'm sure early detection has moved on.

I went through exactly this. 4 months of mis diagnosis, lets treat for IBS, lets see if its Giardia, Ulcer? Because I was a 34 year old male with a resting HR of 52 and a fat % in single figures, who'd never smoked and exercised 15 hours a week the GP never thought to think beyond their normal checklist. She did eventually pick up that I'd lost 20kg in the last month, only then did she refer me straight to a surgeon and in to theatre the next day. This simplistic numbers based approach cost me half a colon, a spleen, a permanently damaged liver, destroyed abdominal muscle and nerves, 6 months of chemo, 2 flatlines, 31 days of consecutive huge dose radiation treatment and a 3 year recovery period. If you are concerned about the healthcare you are receiving in any way - get a second, third, fourth opinion - whatever it takes.

One of the positives about being put through the ringer like this (apart from it saving your life) is that it pretty much prepares you for anything that comes your way later. I've found I have a much more balanced perspective on life's tests post cancer.

So they found one then?

Looks like it will be fun to service..

When Im short on training time I go to a steep, technical single track climb and just headbang up and down intervals. You get the skills work out up and down, and as you get faster the cardio/strength too. And its fun when the vomiting stops.

I got a set of Curas for my new build and couldn't be happier. I'm a long time user and fan of Hope, and my last 3 builds have had them and I said I'd never use anything else. The Curas came up at a good price and I thought I'd give them a try. Really good - powerful with great feel and modulation and they use mineral oil which is a bonus for me. Apparently they are the only 2 piston calliper on the WC DH circuit.

During my treatment, after chemo I would often be taken to recover in a room next to the kids section. A few used to come and chat to me, to cheer me up and make me laugh. These were kids who were in for the long haul, wheeling their multiple drip trolleys around and being so much braver than I ever was. I used to think to myself "Well If I've got this, it means some kid somewhere hasn't, and that's cool by me". Every so often there was one brave little soul, who'd fought harder than I could, not around anymore. Towards the end of my chemo I asked to please be taken somewhere else to recover as I couldn't deal with it anymore.

Hi It's a kick in the balls for sure, but there's bound to be setbacks, and that's what it is - a setback. Time to re group and keep fighting. If you have lost faith in your Oncologist, by all means change, that's your prerogative and if you feel he's not fully behind you then probably a good idea. A change in treatment is not uncommon at all. I had 3 variations which were tailored as I responded. It's OK too, to be a bit down and disappointed, just try and leave that when it's time is over, then look ahead with a clear focus. I know that's easy to say from this side, but I've been where you are now and I know you can do it. Sending you power and prayers.

Thanks! Here's a link to the bike build https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/182504-singletrack-weapon/

"I like the Vodka part" There are more fun ways

Thank you. Mine still ache. Yes, the bike build was put together in my head as an incentive. Did the physical build during recovery.

Kayak. I rolled and ended up half in half out. So right leg completely out, left leg still locked in. The boat flipped back and the hull edge smacked square in the centre. Crushed the left one and then dragged it back into the boat. It really does bring tears to the eyes. I didn't realise the extent of the damage until 3 months later when after the bruising and most of the swelling had gone that I realised something was wrong I decided to go and have it checked out. Ultrasound revealed a mostly healed rupture and a large fluid build up which eventually had to be drained. That basically was opening up the bag, hoovering it all out, filling with antibiotic vodka and sewing back up. Its's a nasty one and takes a while to recover from. As I said, best to try and avoid it. Its a proper ball ache.

Haha. Busted....

Yup, the Chemo and the drugs are doing their best to kill both you and the cancer. you just have to make sure you're the one left alive at the end. It's like the 2 friends getting chased by the Grizzly, and the one takes his shoes off so he can run faster. His friend says "Don't be stupid, you can't outrun a Grizzly" and his mate says "I don't have to outrun the Grizzly, I only have to outrun you..."

After 18 months of injury, surgery and rehab - first ride yesterday. An easy, flat 1 hour. It's going to be a long road back, but I'm relishing taking on that challenge. And I don't ever, ever recommend rupturing a bollock.

Progress scans are a necessary, normal part of monitoring treatment and are not sinister at all. I went through several. However, still nerve wracking and unpleasant.

Hey. Great news you are turning pedals again. I sent you a pvt message, but I wanted to share this, just in case someone else might derive some motivation. I cant say enough about how being on a bike helped me recover/survive/stay sane (relatively). I was given a 2 week break between my last of 10 chemo sessions and the start of my radiation treatment. Smack in the middle weekend was the Argus. I decided to do it, a friend donated his entry and off we go. It took me 11 hours, and it really hurt, but it was wonderful. Everything is possible, until it's absolutely not.

t Thanks for that. Interesting read on the psychology of inadequacy. Not sure what it reveals most. My unconscious reference to a tool of pleasure as a weapon (must be my Viking heritage, which I must obviously do some work to 'consciously uncouple' from). Or the very conscious decision to post a link to the article on a total strangers post who's just stoked about his new bike build...

I'm sure you are right, but I grew up on 620mm bars and 130mm stems - so I'm getting there in my own time.

Thank you! I had an image in my head of what I wanted, and it's ended up pretty close. Can't wait to give it a proper workout

Thanks! All in, ready to roll with pedals etc I weighed it at 12.4kg, which I'm quite happy with for a steel hardtail.

Thank you I'm still recovering from injury/surgery, this was a downtime project/motivator. I did a sneaky little spin yesterday and it felt fine, but have to really give it a workout to give eloper feedback.