Thanks for that insight, Irulan.

Goodness, I look a mess. I'm starting to get a black eye. When I hit the dirt, my sunglasses smashed into my face.

Near the end of the trail, two young, helmetless boys stopped me to ask how hard the trail is. Hmmmm, I said. "You see my face. This is what can happen out here. Do me a favor and don't ride out here without a helmet." They looked at me like I was crazy...and proceeded down the trail.