I’m feeling a bit sore today after my fourth gravity generated collision with the earth. I didn’t write about it yesterday for a couple of reasons, not the least of which was the heavy-duty pain killer that my doctor gave me. Sheesh, no wonder people take pills. Fortunately for me, he only gave me two from a sample package!
Yesterday’s fall was another extremely random accident, but it made me realize that anything can happen. Any number of things could derail my journey. I’ve had broken my ribs, had a sustained illness, and yesterday I hit my head hard enough to make my nose bleed. The doctor said that I most likely didn’t have a concussion, but if I did, it was a light one.
Given that I’m realizing that my riding has inherent dangers, I’m thinking that I need to let at least one, if not two people, know where I’m riding each day. Where I crashed yesterday was very exposed, so I’d be seen quickly if I were to have truly been knocked out, but there are many places that I ride alone that have very little foot traffic, and are fairly hidden from plain view. I really don’t like to plan around things like this, but at the same time, I don’t want to be stupid about the possibility that I’ll be injured and not be able to simply walk or ride away unscathed.
Today I was invited to ride with my friend “F.” He and I ride more often now that I’m riding every day and now that I'm fitter. We did a loop today that is great for a midday ride. Just over an hour, and with beautiful views of the Marin Headlands. The day was warm, and the skies were clear. It’s looking like another week of amazing weather in CA.
During today’s ride we met up with another rider that had the audacity to ask us to move over in order to pass. I say that jokingly, because I seldom get passed, and “F” rarely ever gets passed, so this was a bit of an unusual situtaion. I immediately picked up the pace, and so did “F.” I was on this guy like glue, and due to my new level of fitness, it really didn’t faze me. I used to be quite competitive, but now I’m not. At least I don’t try to be, but there was something about how this guy approached us that lit my old fire. 
We rode fast for the rest of the way up to the top of the hill that we were climbing. We talked to this guy along the way, who seemed to think that he knew us, and I thought that I knew him too, but I was wrong. He was just a fit guy, that rides a 29er, and lives here in Mill Valley. On an unrelated note, it's fascinating just how far we've come technologically in the bicycle industry. Today "F" and I talked about the "Type II" fork that was the best of the best back in the day. Now we have suspension forks that are absolutely unbelievable. The funny thing about the fork shown at the left is that I don't even know how to take the wheel off. ;-) I haven't even tried, although I'm sure that it's easy, but it sure is different than the old quick releases.
I had a good time today, and I fortunately kept the rubber side down as they say. My body is sore, and my headache hasn’t subsided, but I am being positive in my thinking that one day soon I’ll be injury and illness free.
“F,” thanks for the fun ride today.
Distance: 13.11 miles
Calories burned: 1,011
Time: 1:21:57 hours
Elevation gain: 1,300
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/19562220
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