Death on the Flume Trail. Well, almost…
The Flume Trail- Lake Tahoe
I pre rode this weekends’ XTERRA USA Champs course here at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe. I’m in full taper and the legs are great- I churned the big chainring as I effortlessly glided along the most scenic trail I have ever ridden. The Flume Trail.
It was the most perfect day I’ve ever seen in Tahoe. The lake was calm, fall in the air and Aspens turning. And of course, great legs always helps.
As you can see in this picture, (taken last week when my legs weren’t on fire yet) the drop off to the side is pretty much vertical and is thousands of feet high. The Flume trail also has a number of blind corners.
Blazing around one blind corner there is a big guy on a big bike RIGHT THERE COMING THE OPPOSITE WAY REALLY FAST. Of course this all happened in a split second. All I can remember was going high in the air, (grabbed all my brakes with all my might) me and the guy connecting hard, and hugging the cliff side. Also I was aware of the big blue emptiness of Lake Tahoe below me. I was scared. But it was too late.
When the dust settled and we untangled ourselves and our bikes, my wheel was turned sideways, air burped from the tire and my brake was at a funny angle. I bled from my elbow into my glove and my shin into my shoe, my knee got a knock and my Suunto watch strap was torn off. Guess I must have hugged that cliff pretty lovingly. We looked at each other then looked over the edge not 4 feet away, shook our heads and rode off…
[…] In my whole racing career, I have never had legs as amazingly empty in a race, especially after feeling so good in the lead up. I wish I could have posted my Tuesday bike time instead of my race day bike time. Even including the almost BASE jump in the time. […]
Holy Cow!! Amazing how in the blink of an eye something like that can happen.
Good luck tomorrow. Kick butt!!
Wish my schedule would have allowed me to be there.
-Marcus
GODD LUCK MY FRIEND AND I HOPE YOU WILL BE A VICTRY MAN BEFORE I SEE YOU IN MAUI.
GOOD LUCK TO FOR AMBER IN KONA.
SEE YOU VERY SOON
YOUR FRIEND FROM FRANCE
JACKY LES BONS TUYAUX!!!!!
BY BY CONRAD AND AMBER
Claim the trails on Sunday Conrad and make them your own. Kleinmond is rooting for you.
Living the Dream Big C, Living the Dream.
Jissie Conrad, ek hoop jy’s OK vir die naweek se champs. Voorspoed daarmee.
Yikes! Hope you didn’t injury yourself too bad.
Met up with Sam Gardner the other day (borrowing his blue seventy swim suit for hawaii). he sends his regards.
Hope to meet up in hawaii next week. Amber ready?