Take care of yourself out there...

[mtbMike]

With Summer right around the corner and temperatures heating up, make sure you are getting enough fluids as you head out to ride. Make sure you pre-hydrate before your ride and keep drinking while you ride. Don't wait until you get thirsty to take that next drink. It just may save your life.

For those that may have missed my post that I buried in the "Weather" thread, my buddy Matt collapsed on Saturday during a ride at San Clemente Singletracks. It was only predicted to be 80 degrees but it always seems warmer in those canyons and there was a even a light breeze. About 10 miles into the ride is when Matt collapsed and since he was at the tail end of the group, nobody saw it occur. Luckily, they didn't wait too long to go back and found him unconscious and unresponsive. They had to do CPR for about 15 minutes to revive him but while he was breathing on his own, he was still unresponsive. He was transported to the hospital and they kept him in a "cold" hypothermic coma. Well this morning, they pulled him out of it and he is now communicating with the doctors and its apparently going to be okay.

Being that Matt is 59 years old, everybody initially assumed heart attack but it they now think it was either heat stroke, dehydration or a combination of the two.

 

[MrGreedom]

I felt an ominous feeling reading this. Reading the details was bone chilling. Elation came over me when you said he came out of the coma. Things sounded grim. Wishing him a speedy recovery, and I hope he rides again.

 

[Faust29]

I’m glad there was a happy ending to that one... Amd I hope Matt is back to 100% soon.

Thank you for sharing and for giving us all a reminder that things can go sideways quickly out there.

 

[mtbMike]

I’m glad there was a happy ending to that one... Amd I hope Matt is back to 100% soon.

Thank you for sharing and for giving us all a reminder that things can go sideways quickly out there.

Yeah, I was explaining to my wife how lucky Matt is that they went back to look for him so quickly. As I'm sure everybody on here knows, it's VERY common to get split up on these rides for a variety or reasons from taking a wrong turn, having a mechanical issue or even stopping to relieve themselves. Very rarely do we ever go back to look for the separated folks in less than 10 minutes time and 99.9% of the time they come along in due time. On this occasion, they went back after just 2-3 minutes and the craziest thing is, the guy that went back is pretty new to our group and this was the 1st time he had ever ridden with Matt. Crazy!!

 

[Derkderkall]

Glad to hear this great news that Matt is conscious and recovering!

 

[Cyclotourist]

This is an eye-opener, thanks for posting and glad the outcome is good.

 

[scan]

For some background, is Matt an experienced rider, how much riding does he normally do?

 

[herzalot]

Thank you in many ways, and best wishes for Matt and his family.

 

[Danmtchl]

Thank you for the post and glad to hear Matt is doing well.

 

[bvader]

Thanks ... Not only take care of yourselves but good reminder to take care of your crew. Good job and glad to hear Matt is doing ok.

 

[Cisco Roots]

Excellent news that he recovered! Appreciate the update and best wishes to him. Hope he’s back on the bike soon.

 

[mtbMike]

For some background, is Matt an experienced rider, how much riding does he normally do?

Matt is very experienced. Been riding 25-30 years and has ridden all over the West on trips with me the past 6-7 years (Fruita, Sedona, Hurricane).

Turns out he had an angiogram last night and he had 80-90% blockage in one artery so they put in a stint. They think now that the exertion led to decreased blood flow which caused cardiac arrest....which I’ve now learned is different than a heart attack.

Thanks for the positive comments. Matt should be fine and able to make his Whistler trip in late July.

 

[konakc]

Always take care of you and your crew.. Don't let the slowest guy that day be the last guy... sometimes the slowest guy is having issues ..
My rule for myself is never go past 80 percent full effort.. unless race... and no more PR getting on downhills! Just having fun!

 

[Cyclotourist]

Matt is very experienced. Been riding 25-30 years and has ridden all over the West on trips with me the past 6-7 years (Fruita, Sedona, Hurricane).

Turns out he had an angiogram last night and he had 80-90% blockage in one artery so they put in a stint. They think now that the exertion led to decreased blood flow which caused cardiac arrest....which I’ve now learned is different than a heart attack.

Thanks for the positive comments. Matt should be fine and able to make his Whistler trip in late July.

Wow, what a way to find out! But good that it came up now and under those conditions, rather than a 100% blockage later on!!!

 

[dustyyoungblood]

Oh my goodness. positive wishes to a speedy recovery. I am wondering how he was feeling in the minutes leading up to the incident.

 

[mtbMike]

Always take care of you and your crew.. Don't let the slowest guy that day be the last guy... sometimes the slowest guy is having issues ..
My rule for myself is never go past 80 percent full effort.. unless race... and no more PR getting on downhills! Just having fun!

Very good point and probably had something to do with this incident. While Matt is experienced for sure, he's been comfortably bringing up the rear the last couple months as he's working himself back into riding shape after recovering from a vehicle collision where he was rear ended and fractured a couple vertebrae last Summer. However, on THIS day, he went out like a man on fire and led the group out the first 5+ miles as I dragged along 1/2 mile back. I didn't think anything of it at the time other than being impressed. However, when it came time to climb back out, Matt said that he would be dropping to the rear from that point on. He made the climb just fine and was smiling and talking before they made the final push across a fun up & down section. Less than 1/4 mile later is where he dropped.

 

[HBkites]

Turns out he had an angiogram last night and he had 80-90% blockage in one artery so they put in a stint. They think now that the exertion led to decreased blood flow which caused cardiac arrest....which I’ve now learned is different than a heart attack.

Thanks for the positive comments. Matt should be fine and able to make his Whistler trip in late July.

I'm glad to hear he is recovering. Riding with a stint is very doable.

I had an Angioplasty in Aug of 2016, and it didn't affect my ability to continue riding at all.
I was able to complete the postponed 2016 CC (I think it was in Oct).
Today I take three pills daily, and I bleed and bruise much more (because of the blood thinner). However, I'm a stronger rider them ever (which is not saying much).

 

[bvader]

[QUOTE="konakc, post: 127209, member: 765". and no more PR getting on downhills! [/QUOTE]

Carp.. not there yet...gonna pay for it some day...

 

[konakc]

by no means do I say that anyone should follow my rules.. (80 percent and no PR downhills) its just rules (that I still break) that I follow...
On a day after the rains at the oaks, can't help it but to go as fast down... but the days when I just did not care to touch my brakes are no longer..
getting more conservative...
One thing good about that is.. I never have to wear any armor...

 

[konakc]

Just know yourself.. and be under control... and remember sometimes when its gets too hot, 90 plus, just can't carry enough water.. some places we ride r so remote, no water around at all...