Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012

A wise fictional count once said, “Get some rest. If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything.”  Then he methodically tortured a poor chap whose only crime was loving too much.  Well, and pirating too much.  And looting.  Some pillaging, I reckon.  Oh, and murder.  There was lots of murder.  But mainly it was the love. 

Such is the story of me having to withdraw from this year’s edition of the Tour Divide.  I loved it too much, and I trained so hard for it that I tortured a years old spinal injury, making it progressively worse until it was so painful that I wanted to pillage and murder.  Instead of that, I decided to “get some rest” and, more importantly, to seek actual medical attention as opposed to continuing my own personal treatment method, which is basically to “just rub some dirt on it.”

Why I just crafted my notice of withdrawal by butchering a scene from “The Princess Bride” is beyond me.  But withdraw, I must, due to this injury and a couple of other ailments which have kept me from any serious saddle time for the last 6 weeks.  If I were to magically have the time and money to run through a battery of aggressive treatments, perhaps I could be well enough to race by June 10th, but there would be no guarantees that the intense pain wouldn’t return during the race, where continued treatment would be non-existent.  Also I wouldn’t be in prime race shape since I’ve had to lay off the training.  It’s just not a recipe for a great race. 

And so I will step aside and let this field of bravehearts seek their own tales of epic glory without me.  And epic it will surely be!  Word is that the snow fields are deep and plentiful this year due to an unusually long and wet winter.  So much so that there is talk of foregoing the majestic Flathead section of the route, as conditions there could be highly deteriorated.  If this winds up being the case, I will feel so bad for these guys and gals, because it would mean they’d miss out on (IMO) the most beautiful portion of the race.  None of the above makes me regret having to withdraw…I would be truly disappointed if I knew I’d be bypassing the Flathead.  Hopefully next year it will not even be an issue. 

Yes!  My plan is to compete next year!  Whether or not it happens is a matter for Fate.  All I know is I will heal myself and prepare as if I’ll be all up in it.  For now, I will switch to fan mode and get my favorite easy chair ready….it’s TD junkie time for me!  I’m actually pretty excited about it, and I’m especially looking forward to watching and listening to my fellow Texans. 

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who has commented or emailed me with their encouragement and sympathy.  Thanks for being a supportive reader, and if you are riding this year, GOOD LUCK my friend!  You are about to embark on a long grind and a great experience, and I’ll be watching!  To those looking at 2012…I will see you in Banff next year!

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