Charlie Freedom

2 weeks ago, before I contracted influenza A, I rode at St. Eds, solo.  St. Eds is pretty easy riding.  It’s a good place to make yourself feel good about your riding skills.  But there is one terrifying move.  I’ve done it three times now, and each time has scared me more than the previous.

I wish I’d taken a photo of what I’ll dub “The Rock”, but alas, I’ve not.  So instead I will describe it.   You begin by peeling off the trail to your left and riding directly at a massive rock.  The rock falls off the right, so you need to ride directly at its pointed peak.  It is essential you ride at that peak or you risk falling off the side of the rock, about a 10 foot drop.  Once you get to the peak of the rock, you make a slight right turn down the lowest angled face of the rock.  My guess is it slopes down at about 35-40%.  You must sit your ass as far back as possible and ride the 10 foot rock slope down.  Avoid the tree at the bottom, don’t get jolted by the rough slope angle change once you hit the trail, don’t skid off the trail in the loose dirt, and you’re safe!

My first attempt went the smoothest.  Just scared myself a bit by the loose dirt at the end.   My second attempt scared me further as the change in slope almost knocked me off my bike.  And my third time was by far the scariest.  As a way to avoid the skidding and jolt of the trail right after the rock, I tried to slow myself by breaking down the face of the rock.  I immediately started skidding.  Started skidding right toward the tree.  I’m still not sure how I didn’t hit the tree head on.  Somehow I missed it, counted my lucky stars, and rode off.