taking a tumble

The first day of our three-day trip started out fairly well. After several hours of riding we came across a gravel road. It was a nice change up from riding on narrow, dirt paths through sweet potato fields. We were able to ride next to one another and talk. I was really excited to ride with people but my excitement was short lived as I realized how jarring a gravel road can be. It also didn’t take me long to realize that it is harder to control a bike when you are riding it over loose pebbles and dirt as opposed to pavement. And of course, giving my biking prowess, it was no time at all before I began to lose control of my bike. Being the smart person that I am, I quickly deduced that falling on gravel would be very, very bad and decided instead to steer for the bushes on the side of the road. What I didn't realize is that the bushes were concealing a steep hill which I proceeded to tumble down. I landed about 10 feet down the hill with my bike on top of me. I wasn't hurt at all but I had inadvertently chosen to land in a bush that is covered with sticky seed pods. They stick to animals that pass by and the bush is carried to a new location. It must have thought it hit the jackpot when I whipped through there. It stuck pods everywhere. In my hair, on my sneakers, my shirt, my pants, my shoelaces.

I hauled myself back up the hill with my bike. My roommate was standing there doubled-over with laughter. She did help me pick off some of the seed pods though and I hopped back on the instrument of death and continued to ride.

Later that day, Dave told us that a great fall has three components.
1) distance
2) height
3) witnesses

I had really only achieved number three that day. I did roll for a good distance but for everyone else it just looked like I dropped off the edge of the map. But fear not. Day two brought distance and witnesses and day three is when I brought it all together and was crowned the champion of falls.


photo by: jake stangel  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakestangel/2111628644/