Parktool

The last edition to my bike room is a 'Precision Bikes' approved Parktool bikeshop stool. Adjustable in height, the perfect companion when working on my bikes, or just when sitting there looking at my beauties;)

Six down, Six to go..

Today marks 6 weeks post-op, which theoretically is the halfway mark of my rehab.
I notice an ongoing improvement,
though slow and with knowledge that my left arm stays in a sling most of the time.
The pain seems to get better, yet there are still times it catches me off guard.
I started to take the sling off during the evening, which gives me some sense of normalcy.
When moving my left arm actively, some interesting sound effects are displayed!
My next follow-up appointment will be on Thursday, February 4th.

I feel blessed having been able to work during the last 3 weeks.
My schedule is gradually ramping up to about 70% of my normal work load,
which is all I can handle right now.
I am happy to bring in an additional physical therapist in my clinic starting this coming Monday.
It looks like this will be a win-win for all involved.
Just getting everything lined up has made for 'blowing and going',
but it seems most everything is falling in place!

This weekend will be a fun filled weekend, with a visit from Monroe, LA.
Randa, Trevor and Brintley will be staying with us through Sunday.
Supposedly Brintley's new words are OH-OH....
Needless to say she gets a kick out of dropping stuff, looking down and saying "oh-oh",
to which everybody around her will start cracking up... and I'll be getting the mop and bucket!

Selle San Marco

This is the Selle San Marco 'Racing Team' Regale.
It is on order at Precision Bikes and will soon crown my 'new' Colnago C50!
It is the 2010 upgraded version of the good old Selle San Marco Regal saddles
I ride on my Colnago Master X-Light Molteni and my Fausto Coppi.
This one though is much lighter and more flashy;)

WHO DAT??

Goes to show, the Saints will be marching in.....
WHO DAT???

WHO DAT???

It's hard to watch this video and refrain from getting goosebumps!!!

It is the most chilling clip I've seen so far...

A must see ;)

Colnago

SAINTS SuperBowl Bound! WHO DAT!!!

Colnago C50

So here she is!

This is evidence of true friendship.

Mark Miller, owner of PRECISION BIKES and also a very dear friend of mine has had this Italian classic for about 2 years in his possesion and might have taken her on 10 to max 15 rides, including Rouge Roubaix and the Michelob Ultra Vuelta d'Acadian.

When building up a brand new LiteSpeed Archon C1 for the upcoming Rouge Roubaix,

the Colnago frame took backstage on a display rack.

As long as Mark has been having this beauty, I have begged him to sell her to me..

Though I know Mark operates his bike shop different from the way I operate my bike room,

I am assured this Colnago C50 had a special place in his heart!

With some help from Tres Courdin, sales rep for LiteSpeed/QR,

and the kindness of Mark, my dream came true! To top off the story..

While building up the C50 with the Campagnolo Super Record 11 Speed Gruppo

from my Merlin Extra Light (which frame I sold to Nick/Mechanic at PB),

we found out we needed a 'braze-on' front dérailleur in stead of the 'clamp-on' front dérailleur that came off the Merlin.

Precision Bikes did not have one in stock for me, (just a Campy Record 10).

In order to satisfy my OCD need to get this C50 home that same evening,

(even though I can't take her out on the road, I just can stare at her in my livingroom!),

Mark took his front dérailleur of his new build-up LiteSpeed Archon C1!!!

And put a Shimano 105 front dérailleur on his LiteSpeed Archon C1!

THAT'S true friendship, THAT'S what MARK MILLER'S PRECISION BIKES is all about!

The top photo shows both, Mark's new LiteSpeed Archon C1 and my 'new' Colnago C50 on the mechanic's stand, while Mark was building up my Colnago C50.

The bottom picture,

taken at the same location where recently my ' new' Look 569 posed for a photo shoot.

Photo credit: Wielrennerke

Mark, I can't thank you enough for who you are and all you do for me!

Any time I ride this bike, or the Look 596 for that matter, you'll be with me....

To all others, I just want you to know: "I'll be back!"

P.S.

The Colnago C50 tipped the scale at 15.6lbs, (with pedals)!

Tilburg

Just before I'll post on my new bike,

I'll post a picture of the beer

Jason brought, to celebrate the baptism of his new LiteSpeed Archon Ti

and my new Colnago C50 75th anniversary,

presented by

MARK MILLER's PRECISION BIKES.

Just by chance...?

No, it is the touch Jason puts on any celebration!

He found this beer here in Lafayette, Louisiana, though brewed in my hometown Tilburg!

And may I say, a darn good beer!!!

Mo Meaux

I am so happy for my dear friend Jason Meaux! The stellar looking LiteSpeed Archon represents 'new beginnings' for Jason after the passing of his dad, Tim. Like Tim, may his soul RIP, Jason is blessed with a huge heart, not knowing a stranger, and a servant to everybody he has an encounter with.. I have been blessed with Jason's friendship for about one year now. It has been exciting to be a part of his ongoing growing passion for cycling. After a short intro to the sport on a Specialized Roubaix carbon bike, Jason upgraded to a titanium Lynskey Cooper. Now at a time of closing another chapter, Jason once more upgraded to this beautiful Litespeed Archon, whith an 'aero' shaped frame and needless to say, completed with an all Campagnolo Super Record 11 Speed gruppo. It is my believe Tim will be accompanying Jason on many epic rides! I can't wait to ride side by side, (before Jason will drop me), and share the joy;)

Jason, congratulations on your new LiteSpeed. Happy trails my friend, I am as happy as I am proud of you!

P.S.

I can't wait to see the 'Pirate' artwork, that will make your bike 'one of a kind'....

Look 596 on the trainer..

The trainer set-up has been advanced to my Look 596.

This seems the best advancement in my rehabilitating process.

It seems a low load on the reconstructed sternoclavicular joint and at the same time it is clearing a spot for the new addition to the Vuijsters' stable!

The Merlin Extra Light will change hands with Nick Smith, chief mechanic at Precision Bikes who will be the next proud owner.

Nick has asked me on numerous occasions, he'd like to be the first in line, when I decided to sell this gorgeous steed.

So here she comes Nick and a heartfelt congratulations on the expansion of your stable! You're a well deserving cyclist of a bike with such awesome qualities and I know you'll put plenty of miles on her to make it worth while....

I part with the Merlin Extra Light with a heavy heart:(

The heart warming news is, I'll be bringing in Mark Miller's Colnago C50;

The 75th anniversary edition of Ernesto Colnago!!

A bike used by may pro-cyclists,

over the course of years in 'one day classics' and 'grand tours'...

Hopefully soon I'll be posting some pictures of this sexy Italian steed.
This bike is no longer on the market and will surely be a great addition to my bike room and soon-to-be-resumed cycling adventure!

Please stay tuned for a new post and pictures,

while we'll build her up with Campagnolo 11-speed Super Record and Campagnolo Bora wheels;)

What if...? Why...?

I am wondering if these are questions posted to me by the devil...
Past-Present-Future, they all fit the bill.
Right now these questions come up in respect to my most recent crash/accident/injury/surgery/
pain/recovery/outcome.
When going into my past, again accidents, injuries, cancer, divorces, pain....
The same questions arise at all times.
Sometimes the same questions come up in reference to my future.
Needless to say that my current situation takes center stage. Second to my motorcycle vs
18-wheeler acident which took place in Sweden 1978, this seems the worst injury, pain and recovery I am enduring.
As I'd like to think, my spiritual growth has helped me to nip these questions in the butt early on and give the battle to God. But geewiz, with my 'competitive make up',I love to engage in the battle, before I surrender!
It is Dr. Bernie Siegel, MD in his book "Love, Medicine and Miricals", suggesting we take on an attitude of 'wait and see', when in such situation.
Even though I trust Dr. Matt Williams,MD whom respectfully agreed to perform this incredible surgery, I can't afford to allow these questions to take up too much of my mind's activity. My faith has to be in God and somehow/someway/sometime He will claim His victory in these rough times.
But what if I have to give up cycling? What if I have to stop practicing physical therapy? What if this pain is going to be more persistant than I'd like to?

So often, during the late hours of my days these battles go on.
My true hope is, that when everything else fails, it'll increase my faith.......
I am assured when that happens, everthing else will fall in place!

So here it is... The new Precision Bikes Racing Team uniforms are on order, the tires are pumped up, the bikes shined and tuned..... Watch out!!!

Come Back 2.0

It is not about the bike... or is it?

This is an awesome book, given to me by my dear friends,
Toni, Jeni and Cael Morrow, while I was in the hospital.
(Thanks again for your friendship and generous gift).
It describes and show great photography about Lance's 2nd come-back!
There seem to be a few things Lance and I have in common....
Not that I would compare myself to Lance at any time, but just think about it....
Love for cycling,women, bikes, competition.
He did comeback after cancer and has a nice scar over the clavicle....
(Lance does not have a reinvented aerodynamic Sternoclavicular Joint though,ha)

Great game; Great evening!

The Saints played their hearts out and crushed the Cardinals!
Having Kris and Mark over, with a delicious home-made chili,
(by Mark), made for an awesome evening!
Just what the doctor ordered....

Allen Toussaint

Friday night, watching and listening to Allen Toussaint on "Austin Limits", aired by LPB.

Funny in a way, hearing him talk/sing the intro to "Southern Nights",

it almost feels like this is where I've been growing up.

It has only been 21+ years I have been living here;

14 years short of the 35 years I've lived in Holland

(aside my travels with the Royal Dutch Navy)!

Slowly Americanized..... And almost, but not yet completely Cajunized;)

Happy to have been blessed with so many years in this beautiful state of Louisiana,

in this awesome country of the USA!

The music my daddy loved, has come to life to me while I have been living here

and what a joy that has been;)

Several years ago I had the privilege and pleasure of hearing Allen Toussaint play live,

30 feet in front of me, downtown Lafayette,LA!

What memories in my relative short life in Louisiana.

How many things have happened, changed and hopefully are yet to come...

Samurai

Had a great night out on Tuesday with my dear friend Mark "Tullio" Stephan at Samurai.
The Sushi was fabulous as always and the company even better!
Just for the sake of the photo shoot, notice the sling removed from the left arm.
Not to worry, the arm remained in the correct resting position!
Also, it is so much easier eating with chop sticks as opposed to the European 'fork and knife' tradition!

Tour Down Under App...

Type in "Tour Down Under" in your apps search engine and "Santos Tour Down Under" will appear. Free download, cool way to keep up with the happenings Down Under;)
__________________________

Good news from Versus; They'll be carrying the Tour Down Under! Just check Sunday's listing and enjoy the start of the road race season;)

Charles Krauthammer; part2

The following is a follow up on my post Friday January 8 2010.

Thank you Cameron for bringing this to my attention!

I regret not having done a more thorough research, before posting.

The following still a true sentiment by this author:
Having moved here from the Netherlands in 1988,
I have always admired
"the American way"... "The American Dream".... "The emphasis on one's freedom"....
This is a country where it is possible to roll up your sleeves,
work hard and make things happen for oneself...
This is a different story for the Netherlands.
Because of their liberal/socialistic way governing the country, things are very different there.

Now I am seeing our country heading in that direction and it has me concerned!
The ramifications are staggering for us, our children and their children.

Wielrennerke

_______________________________

Statement from Dr. Charles Krauthammer
about his American Experiment Annual Dinner Remarks

A number of people have asked about the availability of an audio recording or transcript of Charles Krauthammer’s brilliant remarks at American Experiment’s 2009 Annual Dinner on June 1. We’re sorry, but Dr. Krauthammer has informed us that he does not disseminate comments made at private events. He also has advised us that a summary of his speech on the Internet is “neither accurate nor authoritative.” His full statement follows. The Center regrets any disappointment or confusion.

* * *

This account is neither accurate nor authoritative. My views on Obama are well known. I’ve explained them in a series of five columns. (See below.)

This email is somebody putting his own ideological stamp and spin on my views.

One giveaway of the superimposition of someone else's views on mine is the rather amusing use of phrases that I never use. To take just a few examples randomly: "God forbid," "far left secular progressive," “this is the first president ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!” “no country had ever spent themselves into prosperity,” and, the real doozy,"states rights.”

My views are clearly spelled out in that series of columns and subsequent writings. Anyone who wants to know my views should consult those and not this email.

Charles Krauthammer

____________________________________

Obama: The Grand Strategy – April 24, 2009

The Sting, In Four Parts – April 17, 2009

Obama’s Ultimate Agenda – April 3, 2009

The Great Non Sequitur – March 6, 2009

The Obamaist Manifesto – February 27, 2009

So the SEC triumphed over the Big12..

Roll Tide...

Krauthammer On The Future

It might be better to be paralyzed from the neck down, than to be paralyzed from the neck up...

Dr. Krauthammer is a Fox News contributor. He is a M.D. and an Attorney. He also is a quadriplegic.
I always enjoy listening to him and really like his factual views on politics. Having moved here from the Netherlands in 1988, I have always admired "the American way"... "The American Dream".... the emphasis on one's freedom....
A country where it is possible to roll up your sleeves, work hard and make things happen...
This is a different story for the Netherlands. Because of their liberal/socialistic way governing the country, things are very different there. Now I am seeing our country heading in that direction and it has me concerned!
The ramifications are staggering for us, our children and their children.

Dr. Charles Krauthammer spoke to the Center for the American Experiment. He is a brilliant intellectual, seasoned & articulate. He is forthright and careful in his analysis, and never resorts to emotions or personal insults. He is NOT a fear monger nor an extremist in his comments and views. He is a fiscal conservative, and has received a Pulitzer Prize for writing. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News and writes weekly for the Washington Post.
The entire room was held spellbound during his talk.

Summary of his comments:

1. Mr. Obama is a very intellectual, charming individual. He is not to be underestimated. He is a cool customer who doesn't show his emotions. It's very hard to know what's behind the mask. The taking down of the Clinton dynasty was an amazing accomplishment. The Clintons still do not understand what hit them. Obama was in the perfect place at the perfect time.

2. Obama has political skills comparable to Reagan and Clinton. He has a way of making you think he's on your side, agreeing with your position, while doing the opposite. Pay no attention to what he SAYS; rather, watch what he DOES!

3. Obama has a ruthless quest for power. He did not come to Washington to make something out of himself, but rather to change everything, including dismantling capitalism. He can't be straightforward on his ambitions, as the public would not go along.
He has a heavy hand, and wants to level the playing field with income redistribution and punishment to the achievers of society. He would like to model the USA to Great Britain or Canada..

4. His three main goals are to control ENERGY, PUBLIC EDUCATION, and NATIONAL HEALTHCARE by the Federal government. He doesn't care about the auto or financial services industries, but g ot t hem as an early bonus. The cap and trade will add costs to everything and stifle growth. Paying for FREE college education is his goal. Most scary is his healthcare program, because if you make it FREE and add 46,000,000 people to a Medicare-type single-payer system, the costs will go through the roof. The only way to control costs is with massive RATIONING of services, like in Canada. God forbid!

5. He has surrounded himself with mostly far-left academic types. No one around him has ever even run a candy store. But they are going to try and run the auto, financial, banking and other industries. This obviously can't work in the long run. Obama is not a socialist; rather he's a far-left secular progressive bent on nothing short of revolution. He ran as a moderate, but will govern from the hard left. Again, watch what he does, not what he says.

6. Obama doesn't really see himself as President of the United States, but more as a ruler over the world. He sees himself above it all, trying to orchestrate & coordinate various countries and their
agendas. He sees moral equivalency in all cultures. His apology tour in Germany and England was a prime example of how he sees America, as an imperialist nation that has been arrogant, rather than a great noble nation that has at times made errors. This is the first President ever who has chastised our allies and appeased our enemies!

7. He is now handing out goodies. He hopes that the bill (and pain) will not come due until after he is reelected in 2012. He would like to blame all problems on Bush from the past, and hopefully his successor in the future. He has a huge ego, and Dr. Krauthammer believes he is a narcissist.

8. Republicans are in the wilderness for a while, but will emerge strong. Republicans are pining for another Reagan, but there will never be another like him. Krauthammer believes Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty & Bobby Jindahl (except for his terrible speech in February) are the future of the party. Newt Gingrich is brilliant, but has baggage. Sarah Palin is sincere and intelligent, but needs to really be seriously boning up on facts and info if she is to be a serious candidate in the future. We need to return to the party of lower taxes, smaller government, personal responsibility, strong national defense, and state's rights.

9. The current level of spending is irresponsible and outrageous. We are spending trillions that we don't have. This could lead to hyperinflation, depression or worse. No country has ever spent themselves into prosperity..... The media is giving Obama, Reid and Pelosi a pass because they love their agenda. But eventually the bill will come due and people will realize the huge bailouts didn't work, nor will the stimulus package. These were trillion-dollar payoffs to Obama's allies, unions and the Congress to placate the left, so he can get support for #4 above.

10. The election was over in mid-September when Lehman brothers failed, fear and panic swept in, we had an unpopular President, and the war was grinding on indefinitely without a clear outcome. The people are in pain, and the mantra of change caused people to act emotionally. Any Dem would have won this election; it was surprising it was as close as it was.

11. In 2012, if the unemployment rate is over 10%, Republicans will be swept back into power. If it's under 8%, the Dems continue to roll. If it's between 8-10%, it will be a dogfight. It will all be about the economy. I hope this gets you really thinking about what's
happening in Washington and Congress. There is a left-wing revolution going on, according to Krauthammer, and he encourages us to keep the faith and join the loyal resistance. The work will be hard, but we're right on most issues and can reclaim our country, before it's far too late.

Fausto Coppi, 50 Years of Legends

Born on September 15, 1919, the Campionissimo (“The Champion of Champions”) was a man who transcended sport. He was one of the champions during one of cycling’s great eras, the post World War II years.

Italy, traumatized by war, looked to sports heroes for its victories after years of military defeat. Coppi’s battle with another great rider, Gino Bartali, was the stuff of legends. The two men battled through the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and numerous one-day classics in an epic struggle for athletic superiority and the hearts of Italy.

Even though he wasn’t able to compete for the majority of World War II, Coppi still won a total of seven Grand Tours.

Coppi shares the record of five victories in the Giro d’Italia with Alfredo Binda and Eddy Merckx.

Coppi won the Tour de France twice, in 1949 and 1952, dominating the competition and easily winning the overall title and mountains jersey competitions.

Coppi was the first rider to win the Tour de France - Giro d'Italia double. He did so in 1949 and 1952.

Coppi also won the the the Giro d'Italia - World Championship Road Race double in 1953.

Coppi won three out of five of cycling’s monuments for a total of nine victories in those races. This is third behind Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck. Coppi also owns the record of five victories in the Tour of Lombardy.

His victories in the 1950 Paris-Roubaix and 1953 World Championship Road Race capped off a brilliant career that would have no doubt been brighter had his career not been interrupted by World War II.

One of Coppi’s greatest victories was in the 1946 Milan-San Remo race. Coppi attacked with nine other riders just 3 miles (5 km) into the 181 mile (292 km) race. On the climb up the Turchino, Coppi dropped the nine riders and went on to win by 14:00 over the second placed rider, and by 18:30 over Gino Bartali and the rest of the peloton.

In the 1949 Tour de France, Coppi and Bartali lined up on the same team. Coppi steam-rolled the field up the Izoard Pass then gave the stage victory to Bartali as a present for his 35th birthday. The two of them demolished the competition with Coppi finishing first and Bartali second at 10:55.

Coppi overcame emotional setbacks during his career. In 1951, he was overcome by grief at the death of his brother Serse (who tied for first in the 1949 Paris-Roubaix race) just five days before the start of the Tour de France. Fausto was in a state of mourning during the race. Despite his sorrow, he completed the race in tenth place.

Although Coppi was a great athlete, he was fragile physically. Coppi possessed a massive rib cage and an exceptional heart, but had a delicate skeleton which contrasted to his well-developed thighs.

His brittle bones were the result of malnutrition as a boy. He had over twenty serious bone fractures including collar bones, pelvis, femur and a displaced vertebrae. He also had a sensitive stomach and picked up numerous illnesses during his career.

Coppi won his first major victory in 1940 at the age of 20 and his last in 1954 at the age of 35. He continued to ride competitively, well past his prime.

In the end, Coppi caught malaria on a hunting safari in Africa. The illness was mis-diagnosed by Italian doctors and he died on January 2, 1960 at the age of 40.

Coppi’s victories include the following: two Tour de France wins along with two Mountains jersey titles; five Giro d’Italia wins, two second places, three Mountains jersey titles; first and third places in the World Championship Road Race; and a first and two second places in the Paris-Roubaix; three Milan-San Remo titles; five Tour of Lombardy titles; and a Fleche Wallonne victory.

Source: Cycling Hall of Fame

Photos: Fausto Coppi at the 1952 Tour de France; a less famous photo showing a bottle exchange between Coppi and Bartali during the 16th stage from Cannes to Briancon of the 1949 Tour de France.

Trainer; Dedication or Insanity?

So I rode my trainer for 45 minutes. A first since my surgery 2 wks ago! Hard to believe it kicked my ass, the way it did....
I am glad I forced myself though and I'm in the process of convincing myself, it'll get easier as time goes on.
Yea whatever.......
A nice bath, with shaving my legs, was the reward! Even though that too kicked my ass. So now I am sitting here, refreshed and clean, priding myself of these accomplishments!
A good way to start 2010 ;)
I am quietly counting down to the day I'm allowed to loose this sling......