I woke up later than I expected this morning. Today was the day. The first day I was given some clearance from the PT dude to ride. I had hoped for a sunny warm day, but who was I kidding, it was brisk and foggy as all hell. Could damn near see my hand in front of my face, as I backed out of the drive way this morning; Pretty damn appropriate if you ask me.
As I bent over and pulled my shorts over my left leg, I felt a small twinge of pain in lower back. I shook my head and thought to myself this may not go well. I continued to get dressed. I hoped somehow that by putting on my lycra and neoprene super suit that I would be magically healed. Maybe there was a chance that riding my bike was my destiny and somehow putting on these clothes we return me to my formerself. I was wrong.
At the ticking tomb I was met by a group of good folks. James, Fuzzy, Dennis S, Linda L, and I headed out to ride the white clay trails. It was early, and cold, the trails were frozen nicely. As we entered the trail head off of chambers rock road, I immediately noticed how the trail had become rutted by folks riding when the clearly shouldn’t have been. Rat Bastards.
Up the first little climb, I stay seated... I feel good. I feel like myself. Human. Normal, well normal as I get. I spin my 32x20. I feel the grin on my face, I haven’t smiled like this in sometime. I feel whole. I have been missing this. I begin to believe.
The trail gets a little tighter, a little steeper, I stand up to keep my cadence high and, instantly get hit with a little pain in my back and hip. I am bummed, but I’m smiling. My lungs hurt, I taste blood. It’s amazing how fast your fitness goes. I’m still smiling. I push on. The group is kind and they let me lead. I point my front wheel down a long, tight twisting piece of single track. I attacked it like today was the last time I would ever ride my beloved spot single speed. I leaned hard in the corners. I have been so hungry for this. As I shift my weight back, standing again, I feel the same damn pain. At first I am discouraged then I think to myself F-ck it. This too much fun. This is what I have been missing…
We cruise to through the Possum hill parking area and head for the skills trail section. Part of the deal I made with Chris, my PT dude, was that I wouldn’t do anything too jarring. Well, I broke that part folks. Right out the window. I dive head first into the technical section. I have Fuzzy on my rear wheel. Feeling much like Luke Skywalker flying in the trenches of the Death Star, I have Obi Wan Fuzzobe giving me guidance. I can’t see him, but I hear him clearly. “this is tight” “steep roll down on the other side” “rock garden coming keep your speed up” Yeah… the Fuzz is with me. I feel good, I’m having the time of my life. Everything makes since again. Damn I needed this bad. I crouch down low through a particularly tight spot, I get a little twinge through my hamstring. I roll a couple of small drop offs, I make it cleanly. Damn that was good. We group up, Fuzzy asks “you wanna ride it again” I’m already heading up the trail, the “wrong way” - really there is a sign that says “wrong way” I dab once going up. But still my face hurts from grinning.
Once more through the technical section and we were on our way home. The trails have started to get greasy. I feel a little banged up, but had a chance to ride with good friends. We talked smack in the parking lot after the ride. Yeah…
Driving home, the fog was still thick, but it was starting to lift. Much like my injury. It’s starting to get better, but I am far from clear as of yet. There is no super suit, no Lazarus pit, no get out of jail free card for me. There is no miracle. Just time, work and patience. This is my destiny. This is who I am. Yeah.
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