T
Technician
Guest
Well, given that the sun was intermittently out, and it was a warm 55 degrees with a slightly cool
breeze, i couldn't resist a ride.
I decided to try out the powerline as i had not ridden it yet this year. the first 6 miles went by
great, though i had not yet hit the powerline. The first section of the trail was a bit rutted from
ATVs, but still passable. it was actually quite dry considering the past rain (this trail usually
needs a good week of sun to dry out). I rode with an ease never known on the Goose. the trail, bike,
and i were one. we interacted perfectly with every hill, every decent, and every rock. but this
perfection could only last so long. off to one side i hear a coyote howling. but this is no ordinary
howl. it had a very distinct, but indescribable change. cautiously, i rode on, with a slow steady
speed, attempting no sound. Now, i'm not afraid of wild dogs. i have seen them many times on past
rides. but i could tell by the sound, this dog was different. suddenly the trees off to the left
exploded with a streak of silver fur. i could only just stop in time before the ugliest, mangiest
wild dog i have ever seen came to a stop just to the side of the trail. i could see the telltale
foam dripping from it's mouth, and i could see in its eyes, there was just something not right, and
rabies seem the most likely cause. i sat frozen on my bike as it was only a few feet from me. it
slowly walked around to my hind quarter and stood there watching me, as if it was trying to decide
the best form of attack. i waisted no time. i slammed on the pedals with a force unknown even to
me. i shifted up through the gears as fast as the chain could follow. the coyote followed in a fast
trot, near running. ahead i could see only rocks, ruts, a bridge, and other just plain rugged
terrain that normally i would have taken my time to negotiate. but this time i did not have the
time to slow down. i charged forward bouncing over rocks and ruts with a fury charged from pure
adrenalin and fear. i was in a gear that would normally send my knees into a screaming pain, but
somehow, there was no pain, just an eagerness to go, and go fast. looking back, i could see the
coyote was now running, though not very strongly as it held its snout low, and looked near
exhaustion. this gave me reason to continue. keep it running and it will tire out. after another
mile or so, i could not see the coyote following anymore, so i lessened the pace a bit, but not
entirely should it manage to catch a second wind. i could see a turn off ahead. knowing this
lead to the parallel road, i took it. still in a pretty high gear, i managed up over the climb
pedaling out of the saddle. Upon reaching the road, i relaxed to a more natural pace. i was not
even slightly exhausted so i kept on. upon arriving back at my car, i unlocked it, and collapsed
on the seat as the exhaustion caught up with me.
I'm thinking it may be a while before i ride that trail again. at least until this animal is caught.
i have notified the local animal control center, though given the large area, i'm sure the animal
could go unseen for a while yet.
But one thing it proves, the human body is capable of sustaining extreme power output when in "fight
or flight" mode. my legs are fine now, nut i can imagine tomorrow they will hurt like hell.
--
~Travis
travis57 at megalink dot net http://www.megalink.net/~farmers/
breeze, i couldn't resist a ride.
I decided to try out the powerline as i had not ridden it yet this year. the first 6 miles went by
great, though i had not yet hit the powerline. The first section of the trail was a bit rutted from
ATVs, but still passable. it was actually quite dry considering the past rain (this trail usually
needs a good week of sun to dry out). I rode with an ease never known on the Goose. the trail, bike,
and i were one. we interacted perfectly with every hill, every decent, and every rock. but this
perfection could only last so long. off to one side i hear a coyote howling. but this is no ordinary
howl. it had a very distinct, but indescribable change. cautiously, i rode on, with a slow steady
speed, attempting no sound. Now, i'm not afraid of wild dogs. i have seen them many times on past
rides. but i could tell by the sound, this dog was different. suddenly the trees off to the left
exploded with a streak of silver fur. i could only just stop in time before the ugliest, mangiest
wild dog i have ever seen came to a stop just to the side of the trail. i could see the telltale
foam dripping from it's mouth, and i could see in its eyes, there was just something not right, and
rabies seem the most likely cause. i sat frozen on my bike as it was only a few feet from me. it
slowly walked around to my hind quarter and stood there watching me, as if it was trying to decide
the best form of attack. i waisted no time. i slammed on the pedals with a force unknown even to
me. i shifted up through the gears as fast as the chain could follow. the coyote followed in a fast
trot, near running. ahead i could see only rocks, ruts, a bridge, and other just plain rugged
terrain that normally i would have taken my time to negotiate. but this time i did not have the
time to slow down. i charged forward bouncing over rocks and ruts with a fury charged from pure
adrenalin and fear. i was in a gear that would normally send my knees into a screaming pain, but
somehow, there was no pain, just an eagerness to go, and go fast. looking back, i could see the
coyote was now running, though not very strongly as it held its snout low, and looked near
exhaustion. this gave me reason to continue. keep it running and it will tire out. after another
mile or so, i could not see the coyote following anymore, so i lessened the pace a bit, but not
entirely should it manage to catch a second wind. i could see a turn off ahead. knowing this
lead to the parallel road, i took it. still in a pretty high gear, i managed up over the climb
pedaling out of the saddle. Upon reaching the road, i relaxed to a more natural pace. i was not
even slightly exhausted so i kept on. upon arriving back at my car, i unlocked it, and collapsed
on the seat as the exhaustion caught up with me.
I'm thinking it may be a while before i ride that trail again. at least until this animal is caught.
i have notified the local animal control center, though given the large area, i'm sure the animal
could go unseen for a while yet.
But one thing it proves, the human body is capable of sustaining extreme power output when in "fight
or flight" mode. my legs are fine now, nut i can imagine tomorrow they will hurt like hell.
--
~Travis
travis57 at megalink dot net http://www.megalink.net/~farmers/