Tadpole

by Roby Holland, National Sales Manager

During the summer, I like to go to a pool or to the ocean for a dip with my family when the heat is too much, or after a long day working in the yard. I was taught a long time ago to always have a healthy respect for Mother Nature and more importantly , water. It is the great equalizer, no matter how big or tough you are, water could always defeat you. During my time in and around the water I have personally had several close calls with drowning. Three close calls stick out in my memory. My first happen at a friend’s house in the winter. I wanted to grab a piece of ice from the pool that had no top on it. I lost my balance and fell into the pool crashing through the ice. I was able to make it to back to the side of the pool, only to be pulled out to safety by one angry father and Uncle. Second time occurred on vacation with my cousins in the surf when I was just eight. We were in a line holding hands when a large wave broke my grip, sent me tumbling int0 the wash and pulled me back in to the grasp of another wave. My savior this time was a stranger who was on the beach and saw me tumbling around in the surf. My third incident, which still haunts me today, was a sailing accident. It was my first time using a harness on a fast and unstable boat. The wind cut out and the boat turtled (flipped entirely upside-down). The harness that I was attached to pulled me under and since I was not familiar with the harness system I could not unhook myself. Under that water I struggled to get free till I began to run out of breath. I was able to get myself into the cockpit of the boat which had a pocket of air and was able to grab a breath, which saved my life. There are many other times I have been in the water in a bad situation only to get out because I knew how to swim and respected the water. The other day I watched my son swim for the very first time and I could not have been prouder. Mind you, we are not talking about doing laps, he is only two. He was swimming under the supervision of an ISR instructor. This is a swimming class that teaches babies, toddlers and other children how to float and swim. My family spends a lot of time near the water and the possibility of our son drowning is our biggest fear. This summer, my wife and I wanted our son to take swimming classes, and while searching on the Internet we came across this class. This class was different; not only do they teach your kids how to swim, but they teach them how to swim fully clothed! If you have ever tried to swim fully clothed you know how hard it is. All those wet clothes weigh you down and tires you out, making it difficult, if not impossible, to swim. Our concern is not when our son is in the water; it is when he is around the water and accidentally falls into the water when my wife and I are not around. We wanted to make sure he was prepared if he fell into the water without being ready. When I fell into the icy pool, it was not summer time and I was not planning to go for a swim in a large down jacket and snow mobile boots. We all know accidents happen and the more prepared we make ourselves, the better we react to these situations. I encourage all parents to look into these classes, or some similar type of swimming class and prepare your child for the water. It is the best investment you will ever make!

How Not To Get Hit By Cars!

I thought that title would get your attention....so you're thinking about dusting off the bike and using it to help stem the $4.50+/gallon bleeding?? Well its probably time for a refresher course in bike safety....no, not one of those cheesy movies or videos you saw in health class in school....here's a great guide (from which I shamelessly took the title of today's post) for you to bookmark, read and pay attention to! http://bicyclesafe.com/

Thank you, Michael Bluejay.

Talked To Masiguy

All morning I've wanted to ring the hospital in San Diego to talk with Tim Jackson, but had to contain myself until it was a reasonable time out there (we're three hours ahead). You don't get much sleep in a hospital, but you are there to rest and recover, right?

I waited (impatiently) until 8:45a their time and was lucky enough to talk with Tim! I'm sure it had no affect on him or his pain level, but I feel better. That sounds strange, I know, but we're truly good friends and it's been hard not being able to be there to see him, you know?

Anyway, the good news is that he's as coherent as Tim usually is (ha!). And, that's with the morphine goin', too. So, I'd say he's doing pretty darn well. His spirits are up and he's got a wonderful "nurse" with him. He's doing ok, all things considered.

You've heard it all before through Blue Squirrel and KK's wonderful updates, but he did say that he cracked his skull and thank goodness for helmets. He mentioned being thankful that racing requires helmets - that he'd have worn one anyway, but he is thankful they are mandatory for everyone. Take his lesson to heart and do not ride without a helmet!!!

He'll talk with the doctor today about his fractured knee. He expects to be in the hospital for at least another day or two - they mentioned wanting him to be stable before sending him home. Umm...yea...that would be a good idea!

I did mention all the blog/podcast/Facebook love that has been flying about...he feels it and appreciates it more than you'll know. Ok, you'll know because as soon as he gets his wits about him, gets home and can get on a computer you know he's going to blog this...and blog it...and blog it....it will be a long recovery for him and he'll need to keep busy. If I was a betting person, I'd say videos and podcasts, too. And won't that be wonderful?

Keep sending those good vibes. He can use them.

UPDATE: KK tells me, via Facebook, that Tim has learned his knee is fractured in 2 places and he'll need to stay off it for 12 weeks! Not sure how that works with the thumb....yikes!
His best friend has started both a fund for Tim via Paypal and a gift card campaign. We all love Masiguy...and right now he needs our help. If he's touched you through his blogging, arm flailing at a presentation (Interbike, at a shop), or at a race or event please donate. Every bit will help in his lengthy recovery. Gift cards to Trader Joe's, or pre-paid visas, or to the place that Tim loves (and is close to his house) Starbucks.
A special thanks to Tim's "marketing posse" of bloggers for jumping in with well wishes and getting the word out, too! Check a few of them out:
CK's Blog
Marketing Profs/Twitter
Drew McLellan

Update - Tim Jackson/Masiguy

Thanks to our friend KK, we have an official Tim Jackson sighting....I'm going to tell you...before you click...it ain't pretty. But, he's talking on the phone and, according to KK's report, he's eating (always a good sign)...

Here's a bit of KK's report....

He hit the boards at about 30 mph trying to avoid another rider. He was on a brand new bike, 24 laps into a 25 lap race... He sustained a concussion, a broken rib and nearly severed his right thumb clean off. At the moment he has a blood clot behind his left eye and three cracked vertebrae in his neck - hence the neck brace - which they say he'll have to live with for the next six weeks. We are waiting for the results of a cat scan to determine the condition of his right knee...

Tim, my good friend, you are in our thoughts and prayers....get well soon.

UPDATE: Blue Squirrel/Masibestfriend has pretty constant updates on his site. Here's a segment of his post from last night after leaving the hospital:
i saw a picture of his catlike helmet, and it was like a open calm shell, with the hinge at the front and back gone. the news about his right knee is not looking so good as of this evening, we are still waiting on the direct news from the doctor, but he had a CT scan and it showed that it was fractured, but that is all we know right now, other than it is completely swollen. they keep finding new road rash. one rib is fractured and one lung bruised, but not deflated and he is breathing fine. the right thumb is the real question mark along with the right kneecap. the surgery on the thumb to reattach it was a success, but it will take a few days to really find out. the thumb was not completely severed because of the accident, but it was not fully attached. the surgeon said that every looks towards a full recovery. in fact he is in good spirits and really appears to be on the road to recovery and should be out of the hospital by friday. as far as i can tell is that he should be fine. tim sends his regards to everyone and to thank everyone for their kind remarks and wishes.

KK tells me that Tim says he's still got a lot of bike riding in him so that tells me his spirits are good....or maybe it's the Morphine talking...hmmm...time will tell, but one thing is for sure...as soon as he is able, Tim will take us all along with him on his recovery...and, I'm sure, he'll document the first time he gets back on a bike.

Masiguy - Tim Jackson

I just got a comment from Blue Squirrel, who happens to be a cool guy and the Masiguy's best friend. Y'all know Masiguy from his blog or from the times I've mentioned him here. Tim Jackson is a good friend to me personally and we've collaborated professionally a couple of times, too. A great, great guy.

Well, Blue Squirrel floored me with his comment to go read his blog about Tim....OH MY GOODNESS! He's been hurt...badly....while on his bike. He's having surgery today!

I'm hoping Blue doesn't mind me posting his update here (below picture). Please continue to watch his blog and this space for updates on Tim. Please keep this fellow cyclists and all around great guy in your thoughts and prayers.

NOT COOL
unfortunately i have some bad news to report concerning one of our star riders, tim, aka masiguy, action jackson, maggie.apparently a total nob slowed down in front of him at the SD velodrome last night and tim tried to go high and ended up hitting the boards at 30mph +. he sustained a concussion [he was out for 5 minutes], broken ribs, a few fractured neck bones and a mangled thumb that will have surgery done on it today. please keep tim in your prays and i will update his legions of fans here as soon as i know more.


UPDATE: KK, who is a frequent contributor here and a wonderfully funny and warm woman, has sent me a note saying that she just talked with Tim's nurse and that Tim's out of surgery and doing well. He's resting now, but she's headed to the hospital to see for herself. Blue Squirrel is headed there tonight, too. Wish I could go with them...but there's 3,000 miles between here and there. Keep sending those good vibes, folks!

The Spokesmen Podcast #27

Yesterday morning I was able to join The Spokesmen podcast again! Woo-hoo! It's been awhile because of my schedule and the schedules of the folks on the podcast (life happens, right?!).

Because life happens, there were only three of us, but it wasn't for lack of trying - Tim Grahl had some wacky computer problems, Tim Jackson was on a plane with his knees up near his chest and Carlton had a technology meltdown (not his, but his provider). But, David, Richard and I got up early (ok, not so early for me, but wicked early for Richard on the West Coast) and had some fun together. I always think I sound like a dork, but David and Richard sound fabulous, as always.

Some of the topics on Episode #27:
- Tragic accident this weekend in northern California
- Accident in Tucson with deputy hitting group ride
- Utah cyclists press charges under 3-foot rule
- Dave Zabriskie's Yield to Life
- Alleycat races
- Paris-Nice/ASO/UCI/Astana
- Rock Racing (still looking for gear to go on sale!)
- Donna's little opinion about Tour of Cali
- Our bike/riding tips

We dedicated this show to the late, great Sheldon Brown.

I'm listening to the show right now, but it's not over yet. David says that he added some bloopers to the end...I can only imagine...yikes! I'm sure they are fun (right, David?). Regardless, it was a good show - go on over and listen! Make sure to let us know what you think - either here or over on The Spokesmen site.

Update: Hey, Masiguy...you have to listen to the end...to the bloopers...past the static and giggles...