Over the Handlebars

There isn't and won't be a lot of activities on my list that requires effort on my part, but I've been dying to go mountain biking for a long time now. The last time I rode a bike was over two years ago in Martha's Vineyard with my friend Kelly and I was struggling, even though the road was mostly flat and the view was amazing and we stopped for ice cream. It was a super fun ride and the most exercise I had in three years, but I realized that AFTER we already rode around the island, there was a scooter rental next to the bike shop and I could have kicked myself because that would have been so much easier! Oh well, lesson learn, look for scooters first then settle on using your own man power. But renting a scooter would have defeated the purpose of mountain biking. Although my version of mountain riding requires little to no pedaling, no sweating, and no real effort. My idea is taking a lovely gondola ride to the top of Vail and taking a relaxing ride down the a mountain on a paved road.

So on the 4th of July, Jon and I jumped into the jeep and headed up to mountains. Thank goodness there was hardly any traffic but the drive up was a little ominous with the heavy fog drifting through the mountains. Not only was the fog so thick we were crawling up the mountain, but I also saw a dead deer on the side of the road. I think that was a warning to turn around and scratch mountain biking off my list.









But then the fog lifted and then the sun shone and I was feeling good about the day. We drove into Lionshead Village and realized there was a 4th of July parade and it was chaotic, but we managed to find parking in a no parking zone and hoped for the best when we returned. So we made our way through, avoided the parade, rented our bikes and up we were on the gondola! No turning back now! It was a really nice ride up on the gondola, a first for me too although it didn't make the list.

After we got to the top, we had a little lunch and made our way down Village Trail, the longest and most pleasant route on the mountain. It started off pleasant enough.





But then disaster struck! I was halfway through a turn and I flew over the handlebars and did a belly flop on the ground. Poor Jon, he saw the whole thing happen and thought I face planted instead and threw his bike on the ground to rescue me, expecting to see missing teeth and bloody face. But no such thing, I was relatively fine. The only thing I could think about was the bike and how we said no to the $3 insurance. Why...why didn't we get it knowing how clumsy I am?! That was my first concern...actually no, it wasn't. My first concern was if I had hurt my face (because I'm vain like that) and then my second thought was if the bike was fine so we didn't have to pay for damages (because I'm cheap like that). Luckily for me, both were intact! Here's some pictures of the aftermath and since it was the 4th of July, I had to wave the flag!

After the fall, Jon said he's not sure if he likes me pursuing my list. I told him, don't worry, the life insurance is paid up and I gave him the go ahead to pull the plug should anything else happen. He seemed satisfied with that. Despite the dirty clothes, bruises, infected scrapes, not being able to turn my head to the left and being completely sore the next few days, I still had a great time and would do it again!! Maybe next time, I'll bring knee and elbow pads.

P.S. We didn't get a parking ticket and the scab on my elbow finally fell off the other day. Things are looking good, woohoo!!