Back on the bike

Today, I got back on my bike. This is the first time since the crash on May 5th that I have ridden. I missed it so much! I didn't get to just ride. I was actually working EMS at a race in Folsom tonight, the Running of the Bullipedes. So, I loaded up the panniers with the EMS gear (An AED, diagnostic tools, cervical collars, airway management items, wound care, splints, slings, water, and more... Yeah, it all fits!), hooked them on the rack (which I had to re-install last night), strapped the oxygen tank onto the top of the rack, put on my NEW helmet (Yes, I did retire my old one after the crash), and followed the racers on the mini-marathon (1 mile) through historic Folsom. I stayed behind the racers for most of it, talking with one of the Folsom PD motorcycle officers that was also following the racers. He was really nice to talk to.

The race was over almost as quickly as it started. First team to finish took 4 minutes 30 seconds. The last team took 20 minutes. It was 100 degrees out there. Rather toasty! I stayed at the finish for a few reasons. One was that the roads were closed, but the more important was that there was a medical emergency nearby, that required them to get an ambulance in there. No, it wasn't any of the racers. Folsom Fire treatd that patient. And then there was the parade and running of the bulls. The parade was nice to watch while I guzzled water. I sweated off a LOT of fluid while out there. The bulls were walked. All of them behaved.

Afterward, I headed up the hill. Sweated off even more fluid! Got back to the Jeep, unloaded the world, and headed home. It was still over 90 when I left.

Although short and warm, it was really good to get back on my bike. I was planning on riding to work tomorrow, but I just picked up a shift at the ballpark. Maybe next week. :-)