So I went Monday to get an xray of the injuries on my hand, and elbow,
from last Saturday's mountain bike ride...oh, I mean mtn bike crash fest.

Diagnosis: Left hand - a hairline fracture of the 5th metacarpal at the
base, with sever tissue contusion and torn blood vessels. 4 weeks to heal.
I refused a cast and a splint, much to the Doctors chagrin I might add.
I fully understand his position, and the fact that he knows better than I do
in such matters, but I can't have my hand immobilized. Too much work
and other things going on right now, for me to wrap it up. I figure it is
just like the rib fracture I had, there is nothing anyone can do, it just has
to heal on its own. I keep usage of my left hand to a minimum, and
let nature take its course.

Thankfully, the swelling has subsided, but the bruising is all the way up
from my wrist to past my knuckles on my digits. It hurst a lot less too.
That is until I whack it against something....then I'm like a an out of control
tourette's case gone bad!

Right Elbow - severe muscle and tissue contusions, and broken blood
vessels as well. This actully hurts more than my hand, go figure.
The elbow is very, very sore, and tender, and when I smack it into
something it hurts even more! Aaah, yea. You think? I feel like I went a
few rounds with a heavyweight. I have bruises on my upper and lower
body, and I am just sore all over in general. A couple of weeks to heal.

Unfortunately, these minor injuries are enough to keep me off the Mtn
Bike for training, so it's strictly the road ride for the next few weeks or so.
I'm bummed for sure, but I just look at it as a learning set-back, class has
begun, and I'm enrolled in the school of hard knocks....literally!

Hey, this is what happens when an old man starts riding a mountain bike!
It's not like I have any experience, or have the benefit of being in my 20's
or even 30's. At almost 42...the brain does not learn so easy and the body
does not heal so quick...I have been mtn biking only since September 2006,
and have a total of 13 rides to date. So, cut me a break!