The illusive six pack…
By Jamie
WARNING: this is a general health and injury blog and contains material that some people may find squeamish… continue at your own risk.
GENERAL HEALTH
Before we even set off from City Hall in London I was looking forward to getting a six pack for the first time in my life.
Even though I’d been ‘carb loading’ for a couple of months before the trip I was sure the six pack would emerge in no time. Cycling can burn anywhere from 300 to 600 caloires an hour. Couple that with the 2500 calories my body will burn through normal use I’d need to eat over 5500 calories a day just to tread water. Trying to eat that much is difficult in normal conditions. I thought that finding sufficiently calorific food in Northern Africa and the Middle East must be more difficult. It was more difficult, but despite loosing a significant amount of weight and doing sporadic sessions of press ups and sit-ups nothing’s happened. I still don’t have a six pack. I don’t think I’ll ever get one… big bones or something.
Iain's dodgy stomach. Held up in bed.
I’m constantly surprised how good all of our health has been. The worst illnesses we’ve had throughout the trip have been stomach related. However, Iain, Susie and I have been ill just once each through bad food or water. Much more common are accidental injuries caused from crashes or insect bites.
CYCLING INJURIES
Ice pack
Only one real injury has resulted from cycling and that was to Timmy in the first week. His slightly small bike frame and first time using fixed pedals probably led to Timmy’s knees giving way and unfortunately the end of his trip.
Saddle related problems have fortunately been rare and minor. I know some of my friends have been waiting for my ‘inevitable’ boils but nothing so interesting I’m afraid. Plus, I’m not so sure I would have posted any of those photo’s so here’s a substitute photo instead.
Happy not to have any saddle sores
ACCIDENT INJURIES
Pretty much all of the injuries from crashes have been a direct result of Susie. Statistically if you cycle with Susie you are much more likely to be injured by her than any other vehicle on the road.
The graze would later turn into a goatee
Susie’s first proper injury - other than a few bruises from ‘low speed SPD disasters’ (when the cycling shoe doesn’t detatch from the pedal before toppling to the floor) - occured in the south of France when Susie used her chin as a brake after ramming into the back of Iain.
Susie's cog mark is still visible on Iains leg
This seration on Iain’s leg was caused by an entanglement with Susie after she was distracted by dogs. Once on the ground the dogs lost interest and walked off. They were clearly ‘no fun anymore’.
Jamie's burnt leg
My ‘tourist burn’ was gained from the exhaust of a motorbike. A helpful Iranian took me into town on his fake Honda to buy a new tyre. My previous tyre had stretched so much the inner tube burst, catapulting me through the air like superman.
Poor Susie
Another collision. Susie blames me for swerving but I still maintain that as she was behind me at the time and went into the back of me, it can’t be my fault. Obviously, pointing out something to the right and then swerving slightly as she looks away didn’t help her chances but… not looking where you’re going will lead to these mishaps.
Susie's Cartwheel down an embankment
Here are susie’s scrapes from her 360 degree sideways roll down a stone bank in China. She was literally blown off the road because the winds were so strong.
INSECT INJURIES
Not the measels, mosquitos.
Susie obviously tastes good. She got over 200 bites while sharing the same bed as Iain. Iain had 4 bites but managed to complain as much as Susie. Apparently bed bug bites are much itchier on men.
Call me 'clumpy'
A wasp got trapped between my sock and tongue of my shoe and proceeded to sting me until I bled. My right foot doubled in size making it difficult to pull off my dance moves at the disco, but not impossible.
Elephant woman
Not an hour after I was stung, Susie’s wasp went for her face. The wasps in Uzbekistan are to be avoided at all costs. The funny thing was that although the sting made Susie cry a prolonged scream she didn’t stop the bike for half a km as she didn’t want to lose the momentum from the hill. However, when the sting made her bottom itch she stopped the bike as if she was about to go off a cliff. Go figure.
Unexpected symptom of a wasp sting. Itchy Bum.
UNEXPECTED INJURIES
Blisters from flippers
I didn’t expect to get blisters from flippers. First, a pleasant swim and paddle out to an Island off the coast of Tunisia. Then, an unexpected change in the weather and the loss of my surf board meant I had to kick hard for a prolonged period of time (clinging to a sea kayak) in order to reach the shore before the current dragged us onto the rocks. Almost an abrupt end to the trip before we’d even started.
Susie's swollen feet
Chill blains and the first stages of frostbite were not something we’d imagined having to deal with on a cycle round the worlds deserts. Having encountered the coldest spell Eastern China had encountered for 50 years, Susie’s feet got the brunt of the weather.
This little piggy went to...
The resulting damage to Susie’s foot from prolonged exposure to the cold. Both her little and big toes were badly affected. They actually looked much worse than these pictures portray, swelling to twice the size, turning black/purple and the skin going first shiney and then falling off - in this case leaving a deep gouge.
Apart from these few injuries and illnesses we’ve managed to get, on the whole we’ve all been in very good health. A few tired muscles and sore areas every once in a while but nothing to write home about. For me, the worst I felt was in China when I had a bad chest infection from the cold conditions but it soon cleared up once out of the freezing winds.
For those of you following us on twitter, Susie mentioned I’d fainted 3 times the other day. This was due, not, from lack of oxygen or exhaustion but because I got out of the motel hot-tub too quickly and over heated. (Unfortunately not because it was full of Hawain Tropic girls but because I was chatting with a local for too long.)
On the whole we feel fit and healthy. I’ve managed to loose 14kg (over 2 stone) going from 85kg to 71kg. Susie has lost a little weight but managed mainly to turn what excess body weight she had into muscle (she now looks like Arnie).
Unfortunately, there still seems to be no sign of the six pack. I think the large portions and easy access to food in the States may hamper my chances and the ripped torso may remain illusive.
Jamie
PS Although Susie’s extreme dance moves didn’t actually cause any injuries I don’t know how they didn’t so have added a picture in anyway.
Surprisingly no injury at all
Leave a Reply
December 21st, 2009 at 8:08 am
Hiya you crazy pair! Just to wish you both a happy and healthy
Christmas before the holiday starts for real over here! It will be strange without you, but we will all be thinking of you - and hope you have a wonderful time. The USA sounds pretty welcoming, tho I don’t know your plans exactly? No doubt you will keep us informed in the next zany instalment . Much Christmassy Love from Anna, Joe & all Family xxxxxxxxxxxx
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:59 am
Susie and her feet - not a good combo and asking for trouble, be it in the hot or cold!
And joining the shout with Jamie’s Mum to wish you both an awesome Christmas and the best start to 2010.
Your progress has been inspiring, the blogs hilarious, and in many ways don’t want you to come home so can continue to get these installments, but can’t wait for a proper catch-up either. But freezing cold weather over here so take your time and wait for Spring.
Phil xx
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hi you two - great blogs, really enjoying them. Susie, I spoke to your Mum on Tuesday and she and Dad send you their love and hope you have a lovely Christmas - this is a special message from them —-
In the bleak mid winter…………………lots of love Ma and Dad XX
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