Dear sproketheads:
If you were not among the proud and the brave CCRiders who splashed off into the driving rain and cold of the Gator ride, consider yourself smarter (but lacking those valuable points) vs. those of us who did. Beyond Ish being inconsiderate in where he chose to crash (30 miles out), he took several of us out of the race also, as Baby Ruth and Mr. Poppins just couldn't leave him lying in the middle of the road like that!

First, this story has a good ending. I am, however sorry to report that our team captain, ISH, suffered painful injuries during a crash in mile 31 of the Gator ride in Baytown this morning. Ish was traveling at 18mph when his front wheel hit an irregular pavement crack. Weather conditions were awful, with most of the ride experiencing light to heavy rain. The front wheel immediately slipped on the road and his sideways momentum caused him to fall. He hit the pavement directly on his left kneecap, right elbow and right shoulder, and as the bike hit the ground, his chest and ribs took the weight of his body on the handlebars.

EMS transported Ish to the local Baytown emergency room where he was treated and released. He has since contacted his regular physician and is enroute to the Memorial-Hermann hospital for a thorough examination. At this moment we know of no internal injuries or broken bones, although the level of service in the little Baytown hospital is minimal. He does have a severely bruised and skinned right shoulder and right elbow, and a left knee that is deeply damaged. At this point, the left knee is our major concern. Baytown x-rays did not show broken ribs.

I will update you on Ish's condition when I hear from him later this afternoon. In typical Rowdybiker style, 2 things of importance happened - 1. We snapped pictures of him while he was down and EMS was immobilizing his head for possible neck injuries, These will be emailed to the entire team next week...
2. Ish DECLINED the hospital's offer for a wheelchair to take him to X-ray, and hobbled down there under his own power. NOW THERE IS A COMPETITOR FOLKS!

Round 2:

Hi gang, more good news. I just finished talking with El Capitain ISH as Cynthia was bringing him home from Memorial-Hermann. They stitched the inside section of his knee (I might have neglected to mention in the first news note that he had a taken a plug the size of a quarter out of the skin covering the kneecap). Anyway they stitched inside to close the wound to arrest the bleeding, stitched over the outside to pull everything nicely back together, put his knee in an immobile brace to allow it to heal, and told him to keep it completely dry.

They can't determine at this point whether there is any damage to the ligaments in the knee, they will work on that if needed after the healing begins. All other systems for Ish are looking good, ribs, sternum, and shoulder.... The knee is the major issue.
I'll let you know more when I know something.

From Ish:

Many thanks for your support to my family and me during my minor confrontation with the Crosby asphalt yesterday.  I am happy to report no damage to the bones, just a lot of road rash and a quarter-size plug missing from knee.... I'm certain the stray dog, crow or  Hannibal  to come along and find the Ish-plug will surly have a satisfying meal...As most of ya who know me.... I am a tasteful guy.

As I  stare out the window and view what appears to be a prefect riding day, I think about the folks who endured yesterdays weather and despite less than wonderful conditions, many cyclist and most importantly CC Rides hit the road.  I  must say we certainly do have a great crew of riders and we do know how and when to have fun !!! The friendships that this sport has built among many of us truly shine in our faces as we greet and support one another, both on and off the bikes. 

So Team, as we move closer to the MS150 event, we don't know what weather we will face...but the one thing that is certain, despite the conditions we will have one another  for support and encouragement...well gang once again, thanks for all your support.... I'm off to enjoy the remaining effects of my Vicodin and go on a virtual bike ride.

From Cynthia:

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped during Ish's recent adventure; especially Dave, Loretta, Cheryl and Bill (and Munch), who got me to the hospital, and watched Amanda and Sam while I was with Ish.  Thank you all so much for taking such good care of us!!  I can't imagine how we would have gotten through it without you.

Alex Robles:

So...what do you call a CC Rider Captain hitting the asphalt?  An Ishpin Strike...Hitting the Ishment...An Ishberry.... Busted my Ish...Left my ass in Ispinsisco...The Texas Ish step! Hmmm.... 

Ouch, that hurts just thinking about it.

Rock

Cough, cough, hack, hack, wheeze, wheeze...
ahhhh the ride made me feel better.... All well now!

Ish took a pretty spectacular tumble, but he is a tough cookie and will be ok. Remember that if you ask most people who used to be a road biker why they quit.... It will almost always be the result of a crash.
Dave Saunders