TdubLady

I'm out. I got a headlight bolt missing and none in stock around town. Ordered but won't be here in time. Dammit!!

Beautiful pics! Thanks for taking us along. Personally I'm a foodie so I love those details. I think the big Indian on the back is the best, though!!! Priceless!!

In all seriousness.... Am I stuck with the suspension I have with my bike or could I make improvements? That's a whole different lingo to me.

I'm in my 4th week of recovery since my most fun yet incredibly painful ride. The flesh wounds are healed, but I definitely did a number from knee to ankle.(I see you knocking on your pads in my mind every day, TNTMO!) No doctor-no insurance, but mobility is steadily increasing and the pain is now odd discomforts. I'm thinking I'll be back in a couple more weeks(with more gear and new boots). I sure hope so as I'm super frustrated at not being able to ride. So I need to vent here just a little, if you'll please indulge me... Since I got hurt, I have explained, of course, numerous times how it happened. Responses are flabbergasting. I have been given some amazing ride tips. And by amazing, I mean, ridiculous. I've been told I was too fast, too slow, on the brakes, can't read terrain, shoulda been standing, should do more yoga , and my favorite of all time….girls shouldn't ride. REALLY??? And then there are the horror stories people love to share. Not sure how your drunk cousin crashing his ape-hanger hog into a fence has ANYTHING to do with me, but somehow they all gotta tell me; with details. HERE's the part that cracks me up most: NONE of these people currently own or ride!!! Everyone I know and respect that actually rides has said the exact same 2 things: 1) You can't have too much protection because you never know when/what may happen and 2) Keep riding! Seat time, seat time, seat time, there's no substitute for experience. I think I'll stick to my SDAR mentors, thank you very much!!!

Ok I got it: 1)Wear the gear but don't depend on the gear. 2) Ride with groups as if you're alone. 3) Be relaxed and confident but don't get too relaxed and confident. 4) I experienced "accident"; must avoid spills. 5) A school other than the hard knocks one I've just attended would be a wise investment. 6) Don't ride near Vic-he'll cut ya off. How's that? I'm gettin' smart like BS!!

In my mind I've decided it's ThumperBob and he's letting me know the view's spectacular if I can hang through the climb to the top-metaphorically and literally!

Gosh I can't thank everyone enough for the encouragement and advice-all of which I've taken to heart. I will find my balance eventually. I am quite determined. I'm definitely far from giving up. I mean if YOU guys can do it.....:-p

I never got a chance or a thought to brake. I know it'll be awhile before I feel ok being in front again-that's a fact!

I never felt any slide when I crashed. I had in earlier turns and managed it like you've all said. There was absolutely zero warning on this one-just up then down. Literally as if smacked down by the hand of God, lol! I definitely bruised the entire knee and shin bone deeply. And I wrenched the tendons. But I did check that all was in tact and had full mobility immediately after the crash before the swelling set in. That's why no doctor yet. I know a bad sprain can take 6 weeks to heal. I'm at 4 and improving steadily with rehab exercises, etc. I would need an expensive MRI at this point to tell me what I think I already know. If I'm not feeling like water skiing after 2 more weeks I'll go get it checked. We'll see about Sunday-bare minimum Carl's Jr. just to say hello and show off my new boots…..

I transported my Intense in a Fiero when my trucks were both out of service for a while... two wheels in the "trunk", seat tube pulled out and the handlebars swiveled so the frame would sit in the other front seat. You are also nearby Anderson Truck Trail, which is one of the better mountain biking areas in San Diego. Maybe you could show me sometime? I'm definitely willing to put in the work to get some of them skills.

Beautiful picture!!

Maybe…but I never got hurt playing golf… I think there's a definite fun/pain ratio that's applicable here.

Oh how I've read and read and watched videos over the past week!! Now I wanna get out and practice what y'all preach! I do have a good mtn bike, but the horse trails around my house are a bit too steep and rocky to learn on. Guess I'll invest in a rack for the car. (Still….thinking Bikeslut may have pushed me over just to get a good pic )

Miriam, You will do fine. Go for it!!! If I can get padding over my knee in any sort of comfortable way, I will go and make you proud, Thumper!!

Shooby, I know it doesn't help but so sorry that happened to you! And thanks for posting this: My helmet won't lock because of its design and a few times I've been tempted to leave it while I just run in for a moment. I never have and now I know for sure I never will. It's not worth the chance.

Oh.... How do I know what tire pressure to run where and when?

http://webstore.dualsporttouring.com/atgatt-sticker/dp/5158 Awesome! Ordering. I have no aspirations to be a dirt bike queen. I know those bikes are all too big for me, but I do want to be able to ride simple trails with confidence. And these skills will definitely make Glamis on my quad much more fun.

http://webstore.dualsporttouring.com/atgatt-sticker/dp/5158 Awesome! Ordering. I have no aspirations to be a dirt bike queen. I know those bikes are all too big for me, but I do want to be able to ride simple trails with confidence. And these skills will definitely make Glamis on my quad much more fun.

Oh yeah that's one I don't ever need to be reminded of EVER!! Did I say ever? Cause I mean I wear my helmet to bed when I wanna dream of riding now!! Why isn't ATGATT on a sticker?

Oh yeah that's one I don't ever need to be reminded of EVER!! Did I say ever? Cause I mean I wear my helmet to bed when I wanna dream of riding now!! Why isn't ATGATT on a sticker?

ATGATT?? Spell it out for the blonde?

Lurking….maybe I'll try the first bit, and see how I feel??

I tell you what I learned from this, gear aside, because riding-wise, I don't think I did anything wrong. In fact it was the most in control I'd felt on the dirt all day. I had finally started to feel less like I was fighting the bike and more like I was riding in the minutes before I wiped out. I think it was a definite case of ---- happens. However... Until that moment, I truly believed that as long as I was slow and careful I'd always be safe and never go down. BIG lesson learned!! HUGE!!!

Thanks for the support, guys. As soon as I can fit pads around my knee I'm gonna take you up on your offers.That's what's killing me now-I'm all set to go every way but physically!! Got boots, pads, pants, people to guide me, places to go and I'm ready to get to learning. I wanna go on the noob ride this weekend so bad I !!! And just for the record, I have NO aspiration to ride like tntmo-have you seen the women he attracts? I prefer hot chicks with no facial hair.

Any time! Hang in there with the fire relief!