Carbon Connections USA -- THANK YOU!!!!

Having sent hundreds of emails to companies, one of the biggest donations just came in this week. I was pleasantly surprised and more than appreciative of the donation that Carbon Connections USA made.

I received an email saying, "We'd like to donate a bike. A Focus Tri Bike". My jaw dropped. Bikes are not cheap, let alone a handmade bike coming from Germany (Focus Bike). I was ecstatic because this would make a great raffle item.

I headed to the shop in Carlsbad before it closed and met the owners Gerald and Bob. They were so nice and supportive of what we are doing with CAF. This father and son team are were so nice and humble about what they do. It was really refreshing to see that and just talk with them for some time.

They showed me the bike, and damn it was nice!! It's a beautiful tri bike from Focus handmade in Germany.

This is going to make a great great raffle item!! Thank you Carbon Connections USA. You guys really rock for supporting CAF and the challenged athletes.

If you're looking into starting triathlons or even begin biking, this is a great bike to get you on your way. Everything is carbon, even down to the wheels.

More Info Here

MDC Rider Profile - Chris Self

We rode with Chris last year and it was great - we could hardly keep up with him. You definitely want him on your side if you were in a dark alley =)


MDC RIDER PROFILE
Chris Self, MDC Rider, CAF Operation Rebound Athlete
Age: 43
Resides: Clarksville, TN
Master Sergeant Chris Self is a 22 year United States Army veteran.  In December 2005, while serving in Iraq, Chris sustained gunshot wounds to both legs during a combat operation.  One bullet severed the sciatic nerve in his right leg, which left him paralyzed.
Prior to his injury, Chris was extremely active.  He competed in triathlons, cycling events, and ran in numerous marathons.  He was especially active with his three children who love to play and hang out with their Dad. 
Chris was determined not to let his injury slow him down.  With his wife Dana by his side, Chris made the decision to have his paralyzed right leg amputated.  On July 13, 2006, seven months after he was wounded, Chris endured a successful surgery to remove his right leg. 
With the help of CAF Operation Rebound and his own determination, Chris is now back to the active lifestyle he had known prior to his injury.  Chris is currently deployed and training indoors for the MDC! He will be riding tandem down the coast with Gil Magallanes, the first military tandem team to attempt the ride.  Chris’ resilience and positive attitude highlight what he and other injured troops are capable of doing when given the opportunity.  

Endomondo Cycling Workout

My first recovery ride after my injury... at the end of it, I didn't feel any pain, but I had some internal bleeding at my MCL =(

Endomondo Cycling Workout: "was out cycling 11.93 miles in 44m:05s using Endomondo."

Rudy Project - Thank You!!!

The next time someone asks you about a company with an amazing PR department, I hope you say Rudy Project USA!! These folks are awesome.


Rudy Project designs hi-tech sunglasses, goggles, helmets, and accessories. They have some really cool products and even better, they frequently have some amazing deals on their online store -- 75% off products.


So I sent a donation request letter to them on Monday for any products they could provide to support my raffle. I went to my front door after some biking and was surprised to find a rather large box. I looked at the shipping label and it said "RUDY PROJECT USA". 
I opened it up and boom... there was a Syton Time Trial helmet sitting in the box. 


Holy heck... I had just sent the email to them and they already shipped a great product donation, no questions asked. That's service and that's support!!!


Thank you very much Rudy Project for helping with my fundraiser. You guys are great for helping out so quickly. And cycling sunglasses and helmets are really good... I was amazed at how light they are.

Rudy Project USA

Road to recovery...

I'm out. Not riding. Not running. Not doing anything. My MCL (medial collateral ligament) is toast.

I was playing soccer at the Sportsplex and it was the first game of the season. Within the first 5 minutes of the game my soccer season ended and more troubling, my biking would come to a complete halt.

I went for a hard shot at the goal. As my right leg was fully extended, a player from the other team decided to run perpendicularly across my leg as hard as possible. And next thing I knew, I was on the ground -- and I also missed the shot!! damn.

I tried to stand up again, but couldn't. This was bad news... really bad news. This was the first time my knees had been injured and I was praying it wasn't something super serious.

I rested a bit on the sidelines and trying getting on the field again. Ha!! What a mistake. I made a sprint for the goal after juking a defender, missed the shot (yeah.. it was an off day) and then collapsed. I could barely stand. Bad news bears has arrived!

After getting home and R.I.C.E.ing my leg, I had a hunch my MCL was torn. I went to the doctor a few days later and he confirmed that I had strained my MCL and it's likely a Grade 2 tear. I could walk with some pain, there wasn't much swelling, but I definitely had no stability in my right knee. CRAP!! At least no surgery and about a 6-8 week full recovery.

I've been resting since the beginning of August, but have been pretty upset about this injury -- actually very very upset.

1) I was hitting a peak in biking and performance, and now I feel like I'm going to take 10 steps backwards.
2) I will be off the bike for at least 4 weeks and can't do anything else either
3) I will miss so many CAF training rides. And I don't know how I'm going to make up those miles and time with the other riders.
4) I miss my bike.

Let's see how this goes. If I'm back on the bike in mid-sept, that leaves me basically 1 month to pack in almost 600 - 1000 miles for training. oh boy oh boy. This is going to be fun. Stupid Soccer!!