XX1090 Radio Contest is in full swing.  Eliminations started a few weeks back when the group was taken from 30 down to 15.  Last week the challenge was to see who could get the most votes on the radio site.  The top person(s) would have immunity and the bottom would be bumped.  Tom La Fever was the first to go.  The winner(s) was Jesse Martinez and Jesse Mindlin coming in tied.  Jesse Martinez was out for the day on Saturday so Jesse Mindlin was left with the immunity helmet and charged with decorating it.  Here is a picture of last years end result immunity pump.    As you can see over time it turned into something pretty spectacular.

Unfortunately I was out last week with a small knee operation.  When I had knee replacement in Feb of this year the realignment of the new knee pushed a few things around.  For the last 10 years there has been a piece sitting behind my knee.  It was a broken piece of bone or cartilage that has grown some over time.  With the new knee it pushed it over onto a nerve that runs down my leg to my ankle causing it to go numb sometimes.  Had to get it out.  The process at Scripps was fast.  I was in on Friday for an hour operation, stayed over night and was out the next day by noon.  Doc Copp said it was the size of half a golf ball.  I could have walked out but protocol calls for a wheel chair.  I start spinning today with plans to hit the road by this weekend and out with the group riding the following week.

Our Toast to CAF fund raising event is just around the corner, Aug 17th.  It's at a place called Toast and the whole concept is around wine.  If you like to try different wines, this is the place to tickle those taste buds.  You get a card with your entry, $30, that allows you to sample different wines by the ounce at kiosks.  Also included is food.  There will be a killer silent auction.  Items are still coming in but a quick look at some of the items are: hotel stays, cycling apparel, golf clubs and tea times at Torrey Pines, spa treatment, jewelery, electronics, iPod, bundt cake.  Lots and lots more.  Tickets can be bought via the web page link.

We're deep into our training.  This is a rest or down week and opportunity for the participants to recover from the hard weeks of riding.  It's supper important that after hard efforts the body recovers and build to become stronger.  This is a simple and yet powerful concept.  

I'm looking forward to getting back out there on the bike with the group.  I get a lot out of the energy these people bring each week and it's a challenge for me as well.  I'm recovering but still need to be a Ride Leader providing guidance. Enough laying around.