Yep, it's true.. Pinky finger nail right off..
Today I had some training with Sam. What a big day it was!! The intention was for some dirt roads, and Sam knows how to deliver!
I guess I should start off by a long ride up the big hill out of Adelaide early this morning in very thick fog and rain. My visor was a foggy mess on the inside as well with every little breath I took. So I made my way with open helmet. Not bad, felt kind of good - until the drops of rain got a bit bigger!
Met Sam up in a small town for a quick tea/coffee and headed out. Fog was clear up this way - thank goodness!
Hadn't been on the dirt roads in over a month, and even with some slipping and sliding I enjoyed it. It's quite a physical and mental challenge, always making adjustments and knowing when to let go and let the bike made adjustments for you. Stand up or sit down? In that path or the other side? Faster or slower? Rear brake or front brake?
Made it off the dirt roads onto some properties full of sheep and kangaroos. (I love it when the baby lambs are running and do a flying leap on all fours out of fear or excitement!) Lots of gates to go through - so glad that Sam knew the way!!
I just love it out on the farms. I could so easily live out there - I might sneak back in there tonight!
Anyway, once past the farms, and back onto the road, Sam challenged me to a very very steep hill. Very curvy/windey, with a huge drop off on the side.. Don't look over the edge Sherri Jo, keep your eyes on the road! Made it to the bottom without hassle and then we went to the top and did it again! This time I experimented on whether it felt better to sit or stand on the way down, and I prefer standing.
Once this was conquered I could see a road with cars and thought we were on the home stretch.. but no! Sam had a better idea to put me through one more challenge. A scrapy slippery path next to the railroad line. It had really deep ruts with lovely soft sand at the bottom.
I was feeling confident and somewhat in control.. until, well.. I wasn't in control.. Hit the rut and sand wrong and down I went pretty hard - and onto some really large rocks. You know how those things happen in slow motion? I was almost horizontal but still moving and my head aimed straight for this big rock, it was very clear and seemed so slow - and then clunck!! Another mistake I made at this point was still holding onto the handebar/throttle, so I gave it a good whirl even thought we were already flat.
My pivot pegs now include portable dirt and garden - maybe I can grow lettuce in there while I travel!
That's what training is for!! To learn from! Amongst many many things I learned today, I am so confident knowing how good my protective gear is. Helmet did it's job, gloves did their job, strong boots did their job (you can see from the last picture where my leg hit the rock, big plastic shin guard inside my boot saved the day), and of coarse the Rukka gear.. all of whom got a bit damaged, but I did not! Oh yes, but I did break a nail...
Anyway, that was my big day out.. Thanks again to Sam the Savior. He is an excellent trainer!!!!
Today I had some training with Sam. What a big day it was!! The intention was for some dirt roads, and Sam knows how to deliver!
I guess I should start off by a long ride up the big hill out of Adelaide early this morning in very thick fog and rain. My visor was a foggy mess on the inside as well with every little breath I took. So I made my way with open helmet. Not bad, felt kind of good - until the drops of rain got a bit bigger!
Met Sam up in a small town for a quick tea/coffee and headed out. Fog was clear up this way - thank goodness!
Hadn't been on the dirt roads in over a month, and even with some slipping and sliding I enjoyed it. It's quite a physical and mental challenge, always making adjustments and knowing when to let go and let the bike made adjustments for you. Stand up or sit down? In that path or the other side? Faster or slower? Rear brake or front brake?
Made it off the dirt roads onto some properties full of sheep and kangaroos. (I love it when the baby lambs are running and do a flying leap on all fours out of fear or excitement!) Lots of gates to go through - so glad that Sam knew the way!!
I just love it out on the farms. I could so easily live out there - I might sneak back in there tonight!
Anyway, once past the farms, and back onto the road, Sam challenged me to a very very steep hill. Very curvy/windey, with a huge drop off on the side.. Don't look over the edge Sherri Jo, keep your eyes on the road! Made it to the bottom without hassle and then we went to the top and did it again! This time I experimented on whether it felt better to sit or stand on the way down, and I prefer standing.
Once this was conquered I could see a road with cars and thought we were on the home stretch.. but no! Sam had a better idea to put me through one more challenge. A scrapy slippery path next to the railroad line. It had really deep ruts with lovely soft sand at the bottom.
I was feeling confident and somewhat in control.. until, well.. I wasn't in control.. Hit the rut and sand wrong and down I went pretty hard - and onto some really large rocks. You know how those things happen in slow motion? I was almost horizontal but still moving and my head aimed straight for this big rock, it was very clear and seemed so slow - and then clunck!! Another mistake I made at this point was still holding onto the handebar/throttle, so I gave it a good whirl even thought we were already flat.
My pivot pegs now include portable dirt and garden - maybe I can grow lettuce in there while I travel!
That's what training is for!! To learn from! Amongst many many things I learned today, I am so confident knowing how good my protective gear is. Helmet did it's job, gloves did their job, strong boots did their job (you can see from the last picture where my leg hit the rock, big plastic shin guard inside my boot saved the day), and of coarse the Rukka gear.. all of whom got a bit damaged, but I did not! Oh yes, but I did break a nail...
Anyway, that was my big day out.. Thanks again to Sam the Savior. He is an excellent trainer!!!!
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