Chapter Fourteen
Al Crashes
May 6, 2009—Zion to Zion: This day included an incredible ride and a bike crash!
We packed up the car and got ready for our ride up Zion canyon. This is a ride that all cyclists should put on their bucket lists. You can’t beat the scenery, the road is smooth, and there are very few cars (cars are prohibited for most of it).
The start of the ride was on a bike/pedestrian trail. We were going to skip that, figuring that the trail would be clogged with tourists. Not so—it was deserted.
This is where the "Wow" and "I can't believe it" part started. Every turn had more fantastic, huge cliffs to see.
It was only 8 miles to the Temple of Sinwava at the top end of the canyon, and when we arrived, we walked on a trail for another mile or so. As I mentioned, this route is closed to cars. The only way to see it is walking, on bike, or on a shuttle or tour bus.
On the way down we were being passed by a tour bus, and I decided to stop on the shoulder. However it turned out the shoulder was much softer than I expected. I watched as my front tire dug in, and the bike and I rotated around it. I came this close [indicates tiny distance with fingers] to hitting some big rocks, and landed pretty well, due to dumb luck, with no damage to the bike.
I had scrapes and bruises at around eight places on my bod, and the camera (back pocket) was a little damaged. This photo shows both my injuries and the camera's. That is, the little shutter in front of the lens doesn't always open now. But we're both improving and functioning well.
We had such a great time here that we decided to do it again the next day.
I’ve got some fun things to come: Mennonite women playing softball in the hot sun with full length dresses and bonnets, war driving in Bryce, Arches National Park, and coconut cream pie. But first, here’s one of those “sidebar” chapters.