Well, hell.
Jeff, my great friend, riding buddy of 30 years, confidant and all around nicest person you’ll ever meet is in the hospital, under the knife…
50% of his bike-related hospital trips (6) have been on rides with me, two within 15 months.
%^&*, is about all I can say about this.
His wife is not happy, with either of us. We’ll probably be banned from ever riding together again. Can’t say I blame her one bit.
We’re just a couple of 53-year old knuckleheads… doing what we love.
This time we were on Tidal Wave, a rockin’ mountain bike trail with humongous banked turns and more than a few some what large table top jumps.
We had just watched what looked like a helmet mounted to a bike rip the course, getting massive air. The kid was probably 10. He even had a GoPro.
It looked so fun, “let’s just roll” the course.
It was fun. Super fun. Even when Jr took a tumble and shredded his kit it was fun.
We HAD to take a second run. The park was closed, lifts were stopped. We were the last kids on the mountain. Boys being boys, we rode past the Do Not Ride Up Trail sign to the very top. Epicness awaited.
I begged to rest for moment, to get some air in my sea-level lungs. The locals acquiesced.
Fresh and ready, we entered the course slowly. There was no jockeying for position, just a simple roll out and down the course with huge grins.
The builder of the course is a genius. In no time, you get in a rhythm and quickly gain confidence and speed.
Zooooooooooom.
I waited at the bottom. And waited.
I was riding backup. It was very steep.
Matt rolled around a corner towards me. He had started last.
Jeff was not good: left clavicle in 3 pieces, right wrist in two pieces.
The long walk to the car, was long, too long.
Short drive to the hospital….
“Now the doctor came in stinking of gin
And proceeded to lie on the table
He said Rocky you met your match
And Rocky said, doc it’s only a scratch
And I’ll be better I’ll be better doc as soon as I am able.”
Rocky Raccoon – Lennon/McCartney
… heal fast my fast friend.