Crash and Burn... and Flat

Many of you know I participated in the Viva Las Vegas Bike ride with my coworkers today. We did the 35 mile ride and my company even sprung biker jerseys for us. I was SO excited to get it cuz now I was a real rider with 2 jerseys. This was what I was going to blog about.

But from the title, you might guess I'm planning on deviating somewhat from that subject.

Yup, not even 5 minutes into the ride I overcorrected (I was all by myself so I don't know what I was correcting, but I'm SURE something was wrong) and went down in front of all my coworkers.

My first crash (falling over doesn't count). I guess NOW I'm a real biker.

Luckily someone had a band aid and I had taken Advil before I left so I headed out again. My sunglasses were toast.

Here is the picture Della took with my phone at the aid station at the top of the hill before they bandaged it up. Della took one with her camera but I can't wait until Monday to get it before I post.
Can you see the dirt on my shoulder continuing down my arm? Unfortunately the band aid is covering my war wound up so I took the liberty of taking another picture after I got it all cleaned up. It's opened up some and started bleeding again.So after the crashed, I took it slowly up to Summerlin with Della cuz my side hurt somewhat. Poor Della was breathing hard and I was kinda chomping at the bit but I felt bad heading out since most of the slow group had waited for me. All the big wigs that were participating were way ahead of us. (Most of whom I was hoping to showup stay with.)(Although the sponsors did remind us at the beginning this was a ride, not a race. This was what I was reminding the big wigs as I passed them a minute before I crashed.)

But it was a good thing I stayed with her cuz the band aid overflowed ("Honey, your dripping") halfway up and she helped me replace it.

On the way around and back, I decided I wanted to head out. I was planning on SOME exercise today.

With 5 miles left to go, I got a flat.

The group caught up just as I was putting my tire back on. I rode the rest of the way in with them.

This picture is as I was heading out to my car. I am all dirty down the side and my legs are covered in black from both the crash and the tire changing. You can't see it in the picture, but there is blood on my shorts and jersey.

Now I'm sore and it hurts when I laugh (thanks Bethanie :-). Unfortunately the bruising and bumps are in places not conducive to photography. On the bright side, Emily reminded me that Gage knows how to give me a hug without hurting.

Next year, the 65 miler. I'm ready. I've been broken in.

Two jerseys and a crash. I'm a REAL biker!

PS.. I almost forgot. As I took my air pump off of the valve, the nut that keeps it closed broke off. That nut is a second line of defense, so the tire held. I was greatful.