Surly Bikes
My husband and I went out for drinks and eats the other weekend. I grabbed a Pacer from the demo herd to spice things up. One thing to know about our demo herd is that they are stored with the headset loose and bars turned for easy hanging. Excited to get out on the road and distracted by my whirling toddler I did not quite do the best job putting this bike together for the ride. I admit failure here.
Our ride started out clear and sunny. We stopped at multiple locations to really get a good handle on what libations were up for the offering in St Paul, Minnesota.
Rasta Hydrant
Hillbilly Husband
As the night went on we found ourselves weaving through the city and back out to the river banks.
Things got a little weird. I'm not a very cool drunk.
So needless to say our last stop at the local swan dive bar resulted in a few more pints, lots of laughs and believe it or not an entire bar cheering on an escaped zebra. I love that bar.
On the road again and feelin' fine, out of no where came a few cop cars with lights blazing tearing down the road. I kicked into high gear, yelling back at JJ "They are coming for us!" Powering up and looking over your shoulder while, yelling, pedaling and laughing.....yeah....could cause problems. I swerved into the grassy patch and when I went back to correct, my lack of attention to putting the bike in proper order caught up with me.
Over the bars I went face first into the concrete path. The bike was kicked lovingly into the grass and unharmed. I on the other hand took the full force of my fall on my face. Not a scratch on the helmet. Just my face.
Artist rendition
I wasn't able to assess the damage until I made it home. It felt like I had lost several teeth and I could feel the warm blood. I was not in any pain though. It was all very funny to me at the time.
Not pictured is my jagged front tooth.
The next day I was a little less amused by my injuries. The picture below does not do justice to the size of my fat upper lip, the hole in my lower lip and the road rash on my face.
Here is my selfie to show my friends my new to me glasses. I am still wearing these as those lens were expensive as shit.
Over the next few days I walked around with a thickening, yellowy green scab forming on my face. Herpes jokes were popular. I thought about what happened but could not muster up regret. I did something stupid. I hopped on a borrowed bike without a thorough check over and rode off feeling like the details didn't matter. I will admit it. It was stupid. It was also one of the best rides of my life. It was an experience. A scarring one that will probably cost me a couple hundred dollars if I ever get that tooth repaired and that lens replaced but I'll be damned if it didn't super charge my engines.
People can and will throw judgment about this but I have to say, it's not going to stop me from going farther and faster on my next ride. I'd rather not be physically scarred again so soon. Maybe a little emotional scraping next time. I do know that I learn from getting out there, getting stupid, having experiences and then recalling that story as a damn good time. You don't have to fall on your face to enjoy the ride but it could make you appreciate it more depending on how you look at it.
(Happy anniversary husband. Thanks for lovin me bloody. 09.09.09)