10 days of Kitty rehab. A bike ride with a very happy ending.

 

I love riding with friends, but if I end up solo, I try not to let it bother me - and just have fun with it.

 

 

 

Once in a while, if I'm on my own, I take an eclectic ride around town.

  

Saturday before last I rode my favorite mtn bike on a Melbourne safari.  First, checked out the new bridge by the old dam, and then on to Wickham Park, and out to Lake Washington. 

 

I always have fun cutting through the alleys of Eau Gallie on the way.  Gets some dirt under my tires.

 

 

 

 

One of the alleys in Eau Gallie.

 

 

 

This is Kitty.

  

I was on my way home through the alley. 

 

There she was, right in my path - barely able to stand, bleeding, covered with bugs.

 

I didn't think she would live through the hour-long wait for Popeye to come with the car to pick us up. 

 

But she did. 

 

Kitty eats like a horse all day, even with a sore mouth.

By Sunday she is strong enough for a flea bath.

And on Monday, a trip to the vet for blood tests and shots.

 

A week later...

 

This is what eating like a horse four times a day can do for a Kitty!

 

 

 

 

In one week, Kitty is strong enough for sedation. While she is out, she gets more blood work (all normal!) and a shave.  She has gone from 5 lbs to 6 lbs, and her mouth is on the mend.

   

 

 

 

It might be a bit chilly with the matting all gone, but it has to feel good.  It sure isn't pretty, though.

 

Kind of glad for the delay on the sedation and haircut now.  How scrawny would those bones have looked if we could have seen under all those mats a week ago? 

 

 

 

 

Not liking me so much after the vet visit and the shave.

 

That's OK.  Another plate of food = Kitty forgiveness. 

 

 

 

Kitty went to her new home today.  Happy ending!  For Kitty, anyway.  Because, darn.  We are really going to miss our beautiful boarder.

 

So, how about that eclectic Saturday safari ride now?  You probably want to come next time, right? 

 

Because, who knows? 

 

You might just find yourself a real treasure. 

 

As long as you don't mind a little dirt.

 

 

 

 

Prepping for 8 Hours of Labor at San Felasco, 2014.

"An eating contest disguised as a bike race."

OK, so Fat Cyclist's friend, Kenny, was referring to Leadville. 

But hey.  It's true of our little, low altitude, 8 Hours of Labor as well.  Actually it's probably true of any long'ish bike race.  If you want to do well you better get the food right.  If I look back at anything I've ever written about the 8 Hours of Labor, it pretty much centers on food.  Even the fastest riders can be laid low by poor food choices.  For those of us at bare-survival level, it's crucial.   

Having a disorganized mind can make your life interesting.  Like every day - a surprise!  Of some sort, anyway. 

One of my surprises last week was the realization that the 8 Hour is not in September at all this year, but rather in August.  August 31st to be exact.  Like, in a week.  

Kind of a relaxing notion in it's own way.  It is certainly way too late now to worry about building distance or speed.

Which really only leaves logistics and food.  Popeye is pretty good with the logistics, so that leaves me with just one category to prep - the food.  Cake, right? 

(Only not cake.  I wish.)

The old rule is the best rule.  Never try anything for race day that you have never tried before.  This goes for equipment too, but especially food. 

So, I have a pretty short list.

Stock up : V-8 and green olives. Gatorade and Perpetuum.  Gu and Endurolyte capsules.  Gallons of water for mixing.  Coke (for the end lap). 

Make ahead:  Sushi rice bars.  Sandwiches, in case of a craving for "real food". (Skipping the protein balls - we never used them last year.)

That's about it.  Then just show up. 

Find a pace you can live with.  Keep going til they tell you to stop. 

Eat.  Drink.  Ride.  Repeat.

How easy is that?

 

 

 

2 recipes for sushi rice bars:
http://bikeeatsleeprepeat.blogspot.com/search/label/sushi%20rice%20bars