[pale scotsman]

Yo Smiley bud I feel for ya. You're getting old! I got hit with back spasms July 4th. Twenty miles into a 40 mile ride we stop at a store and while outside I drop a gatorade top. Reach down for it and baaaaaaaammm it feels like I've been sucker punched in the lower back. I tell a friend that he make think I'm a wuss, but "I think I've screwed up my back."

Take the easy way, 10 mile ride home with a couple friends who were worried, groaning all the way on every bump. Ride 35 minutes home in the car and can barely get out. Pop a Tylenol 3 and call the ER to see what I can do.

Four hours later I'm dying. Only fat and out of shape people have this kind of stuff happen. I mean I reached for a freakin bottle cap. I exercise, I do all types of core exercises exactly so this won't happen. Hell, I can do 20 pull-ups @ 205lbs and hold a bridge for a few minutes. But it did. It took 2 weeks for the pain and spasms to let up. It hurt so bad I went to the ER that day, convinced I'd ruptured or herniated a disk. Doc slips me some flexiril and that hot redhead nurse gives me a shot in the butt. I'll never forget her telling me to unbutton my pants. Never.

I haven't brought this up because when I logged onto the forum later that day and read that Dennis Cotcamp had died I decided I didn't have it that bad.

You'll be back on the bike in no time Sir Smiley. Just lay off the crap TV and try ta learn sumpin!