Ticks Suck!

 I have not been on a bicycle ride of any significance since the last post.  When I got back home from that ride, I was just beat.  I laid on the couch for a nap but could not keep warm.  I just kept piling on blankets and was still chilled.  I thought OK, I caught a 24 hour bug or something.  That was on a Monday and by Tuesday morning I could hardly walk.  Still with the fever I babied myself all day.  Not any better on Wednesday and being a typical male from the sticks, denied myself going to the doc.  Thursday brought on a full rash.  Front and back.  OK, something is up.  There were no doctor offices open...$200 to go to the emergency room...not happening.  I waited it out till Friday afternoon.  Saying I was miserable would be an understatement.  Turns out I was diagnosed with Anaplasmosis, a tick born illness.  For those that do not know, it is caused by small ticks I think called the Black Legged tick.  They are very small.  The picture above is of one sitting next to a Tic Tac.    This has been no fun and the progress has been slow.

 I am of the belief I have had this for quite some time.  Close to a month before the symptoms set in, I was noticing soreness and a decrease in speed averages.  I was riding 6 days a week, anywhere between 25 and 70 miles.  Rarely less than 40 miles. I commented to a couple friends..."Man, do I suck"  One even called to check on me after one such ride.  I just didn't have it.  The heart palpitations were frequent and I was all around sore.   I am pretty diligent at checking for ticks every night.  If I know I am spending a lot of time in the bush, I wear permethrin treated clothes.  They repell the ticks and I have had good luck with them.  Of course, a person can't wear those clothes all the time.  You can pick them up walking across a yard up here.  I have only found 2 of the Lyme carrying ticks stuck.

 Anyone ever have an elbow ache...ick

   

Bad part of this whole deal...I had a ride planned in Colorado this year.  I had looked forward to riding the mountains.  All this being said, I need to face the reality of what is going down.  I have at least a few more days of an antibiotic I am currently taking that doesn't allow me to be exposed to the sun.  And even if I could, I have not felt well enough these days to ride. Initially I had planned riding at night...that hasn't worked.  I mean, have I improved from the diagnosis...yes.  The fever is gone.  The soreness is still present along with headaches and heart palpitations. This ride is only about three weeks away.  That will give me two more weeks of training.  I would like to think, knowing my past riding adventures, that I can tough it out.  Reality says, probably best for everyone, to throw in the towel.  I know my wife will not let me go it alone. NOT looking good!

Lets get outdoors and have some fun!!