Chasing the sunset.

Tried to climb this hill to see the sunset from up high but I couldn't quite make it to the top. I still got to see about three other sunsets on my ride home. Perfect finale to a great weekend!

desert sunset

Out where the Apache helicopters play. We actually got a 270 degree taunt from one.

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That'll leave a mark.

So.. I had a little get-off on the MOTO the other day. Emmett and I were headed up Bogus to hit some dirt trails down into 8th street. It was a little overcast and chilly that day and since the ride was more aimed towards the dirt I didn't wear my Icon jacket. I just threw on some old snowboarding gear over the top to keep warm.
Anyways we just started making our way up the hill just taking our time and got into the beginning of the twisties. I passed a couple of spandex-icans (road cycle guys) just before entering the first hair-pin. (note: going way slower than I normally would) halfway through the corner I do my last bit of leaning before I roll back on the throttle to stand up when the back tire just let's go... I tried to be as graceful as possible but I slid out to the barrier and as soon as I hit it the throttle on the bike stuck wide open and launched it out from under me and started spinning circles in the road till it died.
I picked myself up just as Emmett and the spadex-icans roll up. They quickly pointed out that my gps and cell phone had ejected mid-crash. So I dust myself off and pick up my things and the cyclers are looking at me in amazement and asked me over and over if they needed to call an ambulance. I did my best to assure them that I was fine and started assesing the damage to my bike.
From first glance it didn't look too good. The handlers were twisted forward, the shifted was bent out, my homemade gps mount was bent badly. But once I twisted the bars back and re-adjusted my mirrors and controls I realised that most of the damage was cosmetic. All in all the only real damage was my bars were bent the mount was bent.
But I straitened them out for the most part and my rear twilight/license plate was broken but still functional.
And for my body I only suffered some bumps and bruises and a little road rash on my elbow.
So the ride was still on. We finished up our ride. It turned out great. All in all, beyond some bumps, bruises, cosmetic damage to the bike and my destroyed pants it was nothing more than a scary thrill ride and somewhat of a good story to tell. (albeit long-winded)

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Evening ride.

Emmett and I went for a quick ride in the foothills. Exactly what I needed after a long week of working with toolboxes..

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