….. I was back in motion. I tried riding with my left leg hanging off the side of the bike, but the ground was too rough so I just had to deal with the pain of bending my knee and keeping my foot on the peg. I kept it slow. Mouth of flour, arms like noodles, tired and weary, but making progress.
Another hour later of winding all over the sun began to set. I passed a couple abandoned shacks and wished I would see someone so I could ask where to go. I eventually came to a T in the road, I chose to go east and head back out towards the highway. However, the road did not go east. The road wound up and down zig zagging back and forth. It was rutted and sandy. I crossed dried up river beds endlessly. In many places the trail split in several directions to maneuver around obstacles. This was difficult riding in any physical condition.
The trail suddenly turned sharply and headed straight back up into the steep mountains I had just come from. My jaw dropped as I realized I had just wasted the last half hour going down a dead end.
I noticed a shack off the path and drove down the driveway hoping there would be someone there. It was long abandoned and dilapidated. The ground was silt, thick deep silt, and keeping the bike moving was a chore. While turning around to head back towards the trail the bike stalled.
I flopped onto the ground. My head was dizzy with exhaustion and disappointment.
I laid in the silt for a few to regain enough strength to stand. I then walked the grounds of the shack looking for firm soil, but there was none to be had. There was however a short steep hill behind the property that dropped down into a rocky riverbed. I determined this was my only shot. It was so steep it had to work, right? I’d never get back out if it didn’t.
I heaved the bike across the silt and sand over to the precipice. I then walked the 100 foot steep slope to clear out rocks and pick the best line. I gave the bike a few steps and dropped over the edge. In the middle of the drop I dumped the clutch . . . . the rear wheel dragged, the motor stayed locked, and the bike came to rest at the bottom. Shit.
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