Mon 30 Jun 2008
Well, it doesn’t happen very often, but I went down last night.
5 of us (KB, Green Socks, Little Erin, Ryan and myself) went up Ricks and came down Steels yesterday. The climb up was great except that last mile of straight up. I confess I used the granny gear, which in my case means I was walking. Ryan was in great form and mountain goated his way to the top. The mosquitoes were out in serious hordes as well and left me looking a bit like pin cushion. They made it nigh impossible to stop and take a rest.
The great thing about this trail is the fast, hairy descent that you know you have earned by the time the trail tops out. I’ve only bombed Steels a few times but each one was memorable. Last night turned out to be the first that would leave scars. I came screaching around a turn to find a downed tree with a branch that looked like a spear waiting to impel me. I was going way too fast to try and stop so I locked up the brakes steered to the right to try and maneuver under the damn thing. I hit some rock just off to the side of the trail and went over the bars. I hit my head on something, most likely the tree, and came flailing back to earth with one foot in the front wheel. The tree left a nice cut on my right arm and both knees ended up with the typical road rash.
The rest of the ride was still great. The arm didn’t get stiff until we were just about done so I was able to finish the trail in good form.
Ride.
