Leave house about 6:25. Damn, getting a late start.
First few sections of trail uneventful.
Hit reroute section of No-Net (where everyone was working on Sat). A little disappointed. I liked that section before the reroute and didn’t think it was all that technical. The sphincter puckering section – the steep rocky downhill leading to the waterfall – is still there.
Immediately thereafter nearly fall backwards over the downed log that you have to ride around when, for some inexplicable reason, I stopped pedaling, steering or thinking. Got some nice scrapes on the back of left calf. No worries, something to compare against Robs wounds.
6:45 hit cut off to go to golf course/wilderness loop. Cool…plenty of daylight left, enough to ride both sections.
Clear Montana’s Pass (correct name?) - the upper trail @ Big Rock - for the first time. Felt good, even if it was the easy direction.
Head to Wilderness Loop. Got some nice air crossing the golf cart path…not too bad for an old man.
Take on all obstacles, only one not cleared.
Stop in Big Rock parking lot to help some PRP lookin’ dude pump-up a BMX tire while his slightly past pleasantly plump bikini clad girlfriend looked on. Feel pretty stupid that I have no idea how to work my pump. No matter, he still has a hole in his tire that hisses out every drop of air we finally manage to get in there.
Mitzvah half completed, I’m on my way again.
Towards the top of the Bird Sanctuary I pass a guy with nice thin slicks on his bike. He was working hard and doing a good job. I felt for him...I rarely pass anyone, joggers included.
Down the KyMBA Downhill quickly. At the bottom I hear a rider coming up fast behind me. Exiting the trail I veer to the right to make room. The bike washes out to the left and I’m on the ground. Damn, it’s been a while since I’ve hit the ground. Passing rider asks if I’m okay. Yeah, it’s good to know that I can still fall and get back up. I laugh it off, even after I realize there is blood coming from somewhere on my face. Damage report: bruised hip, scraped and bruised shoulder, scraped and bruised thigh and a bloodied face.
Head the next section wondering how the fuck that just happened and wishing I had a mirror to see how bad my face looked. Climb the trail behind the maintenance shed without incident.
Cross the street to Cochran, the last section. Less than 50 yards into the trail, I’m getting along and, out of nowhere, the front tire washes out to the right and down I go to the left. My body is speared into the trial, shoulder first, everything else following close behind. No laughing this one off. Immediately all I can think about is Marvin and his shoulder injury. Fuck that hurt. Access the damage to self and bike. Forget the bike. My damage report: Possible dislocated right thumb, unknown damage to left shoulder, bloodied and bruised left knee, severely bruised ego and damaged confidence.
Finish the section thinking I’ll just take it easy on the fast downhill. Still try to catch some air on the little root ramp, after all, you need to get back on the bike… No air to be had, what little there was was knocked out with that last wreck.
Stop to check out my face in the mirror of a parked car near the Frisbee field. Not that bad, a little bit of a slice on the upper lip and cheek. Head up the hill towards Willow Park. Right thumb is fucked, can’t even shift gears. I start to ponder what it will be like with only one opposable thumb. Wondering if I even have enough ice at home to cover all the bruised areas. I know I’ll need to go to the store to buy aspirin. I’m thinking I’ll just drive there.