I miss my mtn bike

[fatbottomedgurl]

Sorry it's too cold and nasty out there for you!
Here's a vicarious ride for you. 13 miles of singletrack in the Santa Monica Mountains, Ventura County, California.

Rode a new (to me) trail with my two girlfriends and one of the DHs. It was about 55 out, not too cold but chilly. We rode a section of very steep up and downs that followed a fence line. Actually, we pushed up and crazily careened down. I ended up with a lovely row of scrapes on my right calf from my big ring when I lost control on one downhill. I was not comfortable with the deep ruts and loose broken rock but managed. We started climbing the back side of what we affectionately call "Space Mountain." (Named after a ride at Disneyland.) Up and up we switchbacked and got a lovely view of the Channel Islands (off the coast of So Cal). We then rode down the portion of Space Mountain (AKA Switchbacks) I was familiar with. Fun, fast, downhill curvy, technical fun stuff. So far 6.5 miles into the ride.
At the bottom we rested a bit and then rode back up, singing crazy nursery rhymes and "A hundred bottles of beer on the wall." We were testing an article in a mag that said singing will regulate your breathing and take your mind off the fear. It worked! I rode the whole thing up for the first time ever, only stopping a couple times for some rocks I couldn't quite clear.
Back down we went, and now walking up the other side of the nasties. On the downs I was trying to not lock my back tire up by feathering the front brakes while braking harder on the rear. I was not comfortable and went down once, but kept going. The last steep spot I released my brakes a little more and got some speed going. I was a little too far behind the saddle, a little out of control, when all of a sudden there was a water bar and a big drop off crossing the trail. I panicked and grabbed the brakes just as I went over. You guessed it...ENDO time. I totally ate it, a complete face plant but thankfully my visor saved me and I didn't bust my nose or teeth. My catapult left me on my back in a tangled heap of legs and bike.
After assessing the damage we rode out, thankful that I didn't need an air-rescue. It was a really bad "agony of defeat" type of crash! We laughed all the way home.
Got an xray of my left hand, haven't gotten word from the radiologist yet, but I think it's just a pinky-jam. I have a huge contusion across my entire lower quad on my left thigh, wrapping around the inside of my knee. I think I came down on the handlebars. So I am icing and elevating and ace-bandaging. My bike...not a scratch.
I was told no bike for a week which is a true bummer because I just picked up my beautiful Project One Trek Fuel EX 9.0. She is hanging out in the living room tempting me to defy doctor's orders. Hmm. Maybe my Trance threw me because he knew he was being replaced. You can never tell with these bikes!
I hope you enjoyed your vicarious trip with me and now we can elevate the leg and have a cup of hot cocoa and dream of rides to come...

Cheers!!!

FBG