5//26

I had an idea that by the time I sat down to draft 5//26, I would be using my right arm to write; possibly even returning west to chase the sunset in my manual truck, ha.

Here’s an actual statement I made during the ~12hr drive back home as a passenger in said truck: “They quoted me 4-6 weeks. Bet you I can get back out in 4 and I’ll have a three day weekend for Memorial day so I won’t even have to take off work…”

Turns out, that was just the muscle relaxers talking.

Turns out, I don’t really have control over how fast my bones heal.

Turns out, I broke a few more bones than I realized lol.

In all honesty, I had a lot of rather optimistic ideas about what my recovery would look like and that hasn’t been the case – but not unfortunately.

I’m pleased with the care I’m getting, the support I have from friends and family, and the fact that I ultimately ended up not needing surgery means I’m dealt with one of the luckiest outcomes possible given the situation at shoulder hand.

That being said, it hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows and I knew quickly on that I would need an outlet to pass the time, so to speak. That is, beyond just documenting the wildlife in the backyard.

I also felt a responsibility to learn something new, but I’m not a big books guy. So, I did what any Stockholm syndrome cyclist would do after getting in a crash, and I got a bike project:

I found this Rivendell Atlantis on eBay and knew this was the right time. Here was the original ad, looking awfully upright and clamped by the seat tube for no reason at all:

This time, I could learn more about old standards and expand on the skills I already have, using tools I mostly also already have.

“Turns out”, my frame was the 59th bike made by Waterford Frameworks Wisconsin during September, 2009. According to the seller, the bike spent most of its life in Michigan and I am the second owner.

I’ve learned quite a bit about the history of the Rivendell brand and the bike already; fascinating stuff. But, if you had said to me five weeks ago that today I’d be comparing bottom bracket sizes with a bunch of random old dudes in a Google Group, I would say, “I can grease my own spindle, thank you very much! “

With the help of my dad, I’ve been disassembling and cleaning the frame which involved a bit of rust removal:

I haven’t gone off the deep end (yet) with parts purchasing, but I did snag this old Phil Wood 36H wheelset for a sweet deal and these puppies look preeeety nice.

At the risk of sounding like I haven’t learned a single thing (story of my life): I will be out of my sling this month. I have a lot to look forward to already, so fingers crossed I can practice lifting my camera in PT and have more to share in 6//26.

Cheers,

D//F