Some closure

Well...I was finally able to see a doctor that is VERY familiar with the sport of cycling. She came highly recommended and I was super anxious to have a sit-down to discuss the issue I've been having.

Earlier in the week I had an EMG/nerve conductive test where everything checked out. Sooo...as far as the machine and that neurologist could see, I didn't have nerve damage in my leg. So I could rule that out.

After some initial explanations, stretches, and tests with Dr. Wilson, she was able to give some thoughts on what may be causing my problem of strain and numbness in my left leg. Despite the symptoms and pains I described, she doubted it could be external Iliac artery endofibrosis as I previously thought. Very small chance it "could" be...but she doubted it. Her feelings shifted more to the mechanics and motoring functions of my leg...

During one of the stretches I showed her the slight "hole / indent" that had suddenly appeared on my left thigh. I explained that I wasn't sure if this had been there all along...and I'm just paranoid. Or, if that maybe something is wrong...and this is a sign of it...

A red flag went up immediately when I showed her this. Whats funny is I showed this hole to another doctor a week before...who described it as "nothing", and that your left leg just happened to not be symmetrical to your right...

So this hole developed from the Rectus femoris muscle somehow separating slightly from the Saratorius. How the hell did that happen? I have no clue. But when I over-did it in my racing a few weeks ago...this is definitely where the pain was coming from ever since. So something in that area is definitely wrong.

Still not sure how this developed...and we're gonna look into it futher with some tests and treatment. So I'm 1/2 way there. I know something is wrong. How it got that way, I don't quite know yet. But hopefully we can figure it out and I can return to some ass-kicking form :)

What the hell?

I thought only the Caisse d'Epargne ProTour team had access to the new carbon Pinarello Princes!!! Guess not!

Some dude in the Cat 123 race was aboard one! A bit too swoopy for my liking...but definitely a new Italian exotic!


Shot taken by Marco at the Harlem Crit this weekend

"Our situation has not improved..."

Quick...who said that?

Sean Connery...Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade:


So yeah...my situation of "numb leg" has not improved. Although, I'm starting make some headway. Went on a 35 mile ride last night to test things out...and as soon as I hit Fairview Lake climb with some decent pace...the left leg gets laaaazy. 5 miles later the leg is fine...and for the remainder of the ride I'm pounding it out on the climbs...

Got some xrays back yesterday documenting some spinal views. Front view - fine. Side view - ok. My spine is a "litte" out of posture...but nothing crazy. According to the doctor, this "could" be causing a pinched nerve. Maybe. Do you trust a doctor with a tattoo above her ass?????

Going to see Mike Fraysee within the next couple days for a fitment evaluation...maybe he can add some advice for the situation.

Another doc appointment next Wednesday for another opinion. And hopefully hooking up with a NYC doc who used to work with USPS. Supposedly owning one of two cold laser machines in existance....hmmmmm....

I don't know who this guy is...and I dunno if its the camera angle. Is it just me or is he 'effin huge!

Photo from Aleksey Urusov

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Maybe a cause...

After this weekend's poor performance resulting in even more "numbing" of my leg...I began to research some causes. Thanks to much info and input from fellow team members...I have compiled a list of some doctors to check out. Lets hope someone can shed some light on my situation...

Some of the best info has been from Tom at Atlantic Cyclery...who, as he describes, has been getting the same sensations in his leg...although for a much longer time. He has attributed his pain to External Iliac artery endofibrosis...a condition that seems to only affect cyclists...

I had briefly read about this a few months back...as Bobby Lea of Toyota United had undergone surgery to correct an artery that distributes blood to the leg. It sounded interesting at the time...but I was still convinced my leg issues were just cramps...

And they still might be...my arteries may be working just fine...and perhaps my problem is due to something else. Buuut, I have switched saddles...to no avail. So even if the Aspide was pinching something to restrict bloodflow...it should have been corrected by now...

Time will tell...I have an appointment Friday...

Engine is good, Leg (singular) is not...

So I came to the realization yesterday that I'm just gonna have to take time off from racing. Last week during my poor crit performances...my left leg was in agony. I am starting to think its a torn muscle that has just gotten worse during this season. This past week I was using the heating pad everynight...and also during work hours. I was hoping it would help just slightly...for my race on Saturday...

I woke up Saturday thinking: "Well...it doesn't feel "too" bad...so lets give it a shot." Drove out to Pennsylvania and realized the course was perfectly suited for me. Long descent...big climb. Did two slow warmup laps and my leg felt "ok". My right felt amazing...but pedaling with one leg just wasn't an option. Sooooo...race starts...60 guys in my field. Hit the downhill...cruising. Hit the uphill...cruising. The group was splitting apart first time up the climb. Riders were dropping like crazy. I was 5th wheel and just going with the tempo...no need to put in much effort yet. Guys around me are gasping for air...and I'm fine. I think: "ok, the engine is good...lets see if the piston in question can hold up..."

Second time up the climb...same deal...no sweat...

Third lap and we are heading on the descent. Before the big climb there is a slight rise. I was mostly in the 53x17 on previous laps. Although this time around...my left leg got the slight strain feeling. Oh no...please go away...please go away...

We hit the big climb again and about 1/4 of the way up my left leg gives out like it has been. But with no flats to recover...I was dropping fast. At this point I'm basically pushing everything with my right leg...just trying to "throw" my left leg over with each pedal stroke. "Well that sucks" I thought, "looks like I'll just be spinning the rest of the race..."

With still about 5 laps to go I got hooked up with a group that had been dropped. Descended with them but on the climb got dropped from that group too. Soooo demoralizing. You are riding next to these guys and you're just breathing regular...while everyone else is on their last breath...pumping the bike back and forth. Yet, you cannot even climb with them because your left leg has been broken down to just a piece of flesh and bones that you are dragging along for the ride...

Oh well...I ended up in 40th place...quite disappointing. But, it gave me the harsh reality that I need to take time for this to hopefully recover. The more I race...the worse it gets.

No this isn't China...its Mount Penn, Pennsylvania!


The best part of my Saturday. Sitting down to a loooong overdue meal at Chick-Fil-A

Action shots!

Some great shots from this past weekend at Velophotos

Cruising down the back part of the course...the guy in front of me went down shortly after with a few others. I was lucky to avoid that one...


Westwood guy suffering...and me blurred out...