Crashing and consequently bleeding for me these days is akin to springing a leak due to the blood thinner I must take as an outpatient of pulmonary embulism.  The first time I stacked hard was a little over a week ago, when I failed to disengage my left foot. I couldn't clear a root step on the far side of a dry creak. When you've declared that you refuse not to live a life in fear of crashing, you must also calculate the risk that goes with that declaration. One change I've made, albeit minor, is to carry a first aid kit with me on every ride - not a bad habit to get into even if you don't take blood thinners. The kit came in handy on that first crash, as did my riding partner/best friend/my everything, Hicham, who could make a break for help if necessary. Luckily a little additional pressure to stop the bleeding was all that was needed until I could properly clean and patch a gash to the shin and an abrasion to the knee.

Two days ago Hicham had lunch plans and couldn't go riding with me so, with limited time, I took off by myself for a quick ride in the Fells. The plan was to ride a trail opposite to the direction I usually go (I needed practice on some of the tricky bits that are a cinch coming the other way) and then cut back on the regular loop. There's one section that I'm particularly proud of because it's all uphill with a diagonal stair section into an acceleration to get up and over a 24-inch curved rock step - I've cleared it many times. Long story short and you know where this is going, I didn't make it over the rock step. I leaned back too far, front wheel went up, I lost balance, turned the wheel to the right and tumbled down the other side of the step. That cost me. When I pulled myself back onto the rock, there was another abrasion and some scratches that looked more like claw marks. This time though, my skin broke out into an angry red blush - something I'd never seen before, which freaked me out and caused a bit of panic. Out came the first aid kit, wounds got cleaned, dressed and taped and lucky for me, the redness went away after a minute or two. I rode on for about 10 feet, decided to call it a day, turned around and went to the nearest exit.

The problem with crashing is that - in addition to blood and skin - I also leave a little confidence out there in the woods and unlike blood and skin, it doesn't come back as easily. I rode again yesterday, this time with Hicham and found myself backing off - dabbing in most cases - on obstacles that I usually ride with gusto. After yesterday's ride I made one last trip to the doc's office before I take off for France today to see how fast my blood is clotting. Too fast according to the INR test so my dose of blood thinner has been increased from 5 mg. to 7 mg.

I rode again this morning with my usual crowd, which I'm pleased to report contains not one, but two leaders of the Root 66 Series. They are a talented bunch that craves challenges and I hope that when I get back from France in a month, that I'll be back to riding just cautiously because right now, I'm riding scared.