RR: San Juan 3/31--Blonde Momment

[Wrecker]

I know, it's a bit late, but the fun continued until today.

Let me start by saying, I have always identified San Juan as my nemesis trail. It was the first place that I had a mtn biking picture taken, while sliding down a wash-out. It was the trail that I sprained my ankle, twice...blah blah blah.

But, last Saturday was different. I rode the singlespeed up there, my first time riding a SS on that trail, and it felt great (or as good as it could feel). Did I make it up all the switchbacks? But, I did make it up a few.

Up towards the easier section, not too far from Cocktail Rock, I found myself on a line with a bush trespassing in. The plant looked friendly enough, and I continued on, thinking it would only upset the Sierra Club as I brushed my leg by. I was so wrong.

Pedaling downward, in about the 3 o'clock position, I angered the trail plant gods and they bit into me. Seems that bush wasn't so bushy after all, in fact, it was quite hard and sharp. What could I do, but pedal down and pass by, leaving a bit of a scrape on my leg with a nice little burning sensation. What's a ride in San Juan without a bit of sacrifice? So, I continued up with the group, took a little nap without sleep at Cocktail Rock, finished out the loop and headed down. I did have one other fall, while heading up past Cocktail Rock (better up than down), but that was mostly bruise-worthy.

That night, I checked on my leg, cleaned it with Saline and Betadine, slapped a hydrocolloid patch on it and enjoyed the burning sensation from a mostly bloodless conquest of San Juan.

A few days later, I changed the dressing (the dressings stay on for 3-5 days) and it was still a bit red, but I knew better and was watching. Plus, I was still able to do my Whiting double loop on the SS, so I figured I was okay (oh, and I can't stand MDs so I avoid them at all unprofitable costs).

Friday, I wasn't happy with the healing process nor the wound bed and thought it was about time to actually drag my sorry arse in. So, Saturday, after volunteering at the Santiago Time Trials and a bit more procrastinating, I went to the MD (bleh).

This is what he found stuffed in my leg: DSCN0253.jpg

Maybe I should have gone in a bit earlier; my leg feels so much better now.

[26'er Zen Master]

I cant see what they found and I want to what do i have to do? was it a lottery ticket? and easter egg? lemons?

[Wrecker]

damn, I wish.

Just a 1/2 inch piece of something like sagebrush. Not sure why you can't see it, I can see it fine

[Pain Freak]

Yeah, I've had a few of those. Once while doing a ride I knew I hit one of those plants that look like a bush, but couldn't possibly be one as they wouldn't budge if a bulldozer ran into them. Anyways as I was taking a shower I was washing and the washcloth snagged on something. I looked and all I could see was a little black dot. I touched it and it felt hard, so I squeezed it and it started to come out. Before it was finished it was almost a full 2 inches long. It wasn't really sore till I removed that darn twig.

[the beekeeper]

About a month ago I got home and felt something irritating in my eye. I couldn't spot anything in the mirror, but my wife thought she saw something, so I spent a few hours on and off trying to wash it out with eyewash.
The next day it still hurt, so I went to the ER. They said whatever was in there badly scratched my eye, but that it was gone now. They gave me prescriptions for painkillers and antibiotics.
The next day it hurt bad, even on the painkillers. I went back to the ER, they did a longer exam, different doctor, and told me to just keep taking the vicodin.
The next day I went to the opthamologist to be safe. He pulled a 1/4" thorn out of my eye. He could not understand how two ER docs missed the thing. It was barbed and snagged flesh every time I blinked.

[Big Guy]

I had thorns coming out 2-3 months after it got in. the biggest one was about 1" long. You would think it would hurt, but it doesn't. It must be the poor man's acupuncture...

[andy aka rut]

Wow, not too long ago I took a fall. I looked at my hip and noticed a Sheriff car sticking out of it.

Hope you are healing well Wrecker.

[genusmtbkr5]

Several years ago, I took a fall on Cactus Trail at Whiting. I was going way too fast, wiped out and fell on a cactus, you know the ones with the long thorns. I didn't go to the Doc's, instead I went to my sister's who lives near Whiting and had her and my mom pick the thorns out of my left shouder,arm, hip and leg. Cleaned and dressed the wounds, things were fine. 6 months later, I decided to become 16 yrs old again and skate the halfpipe at Vans at The Block in Orange. Well I fell and hurt my knee bad enough that I went to the Doc's. While examining my knee sprain, he pulled out a thorn about 3/4" long! I saved it somewhere, but can't remember where. I've learned my lesson, NO MORE SKATEPARKS

GET WELL SOON!

[Wrecker]

I'd like to think that I would have noticed a cop car sticking out of me a bit sooner than my splinter, maybe even gone to see an MD, too

This one had gone in under the skin, so it was red and lumpy, but scraped up anyway, and I couldn't get it out.

[dstepper]

Maybe you shouldn't have changed your screen name.

Dean