54 interesting miles on the Silver Comet Trail yesterday. Great day until mile 22. I'm still not really sure what happened--I guess I must have been off in la-la land, taken in by the beauty of rural Georgia landscape. My riding partner and I were practicing drafting and I got too close. I tried to back off, but by the time I realized my error, I clipped her back wheel and off I went. I landed mostly on the grassy shoulder of the path, but my right arm did manage to connect with the asphalt. Major road rash! I have several nasty bruises, a sprained finger, and a sore back and neck (tensing up I guess). As I was in the slow motion process of hitting the dirt, all I could think about was that OMG I am really going to break something. But, my head is OK, my bike is OK (she is in the lbs for a check this am), and my friend managed to stay upright. I really don't want to repeat that experience. Been there, done that! The good news is that I got up, got back on the bike, rode for another 32 miles. Bee in the helmet when I was almost home.

I guess a lesson learned is that instead of being directly behind her and so close, I probably should have been just slightly to one side.

My God is not a vengeful God, but I don't think I'll be playing hooky from church anymore!

Saw a bunny, two black cats that crossed my path, one 3 ft corn snake, and a huge, may 5-6 ft copperhead, slithering off into the weeds. My friend and I thought it was funny that the cyclists coming toward us were squealing and wildly swerving--until we got to their spot and saw the source of their antics.