War Story - Rattler On The Trail !

Its snake time down here in Az!

Until it really heats up, our rattler friends are out and about. I've seen a few already this year but in the areas where homes and civilization have encroached, they don't get spotted all that much.

Was out riding yesterday AM in a relatively remote area - navigated around a corner of a rutted trail and there was a prime example of an adult rattler hunkered down in the very rut I was tracking in.

** I was immediately aware of that metal taste one gets when they are extremely scared!!

I did not want to try jump the little critter so I opted to TRY and get out of the rut and take my chances in the rocks. Got out of that rut but it was clear I was going to go down. Even as I was landing and starting to tumble it occured to me that the rocks I was headed toward were not only going to hurt...it was very possible that another rattler in those rocks was a distinct possibility.

Landed (it hurt a lot and I knew there would be blood!), and in a move that any NFL running back would have admired, got out of the remaining attached pedal, grabbed the bike and was 10 yards
down the trail in not very many seconds.

Needless to say, I took my time and was ultra vigilant headed back to the car!!

(FYI-I can highly recommend the gel Descente uses in their cycling shorts. They absorbed bodily fluids enough to feel comfy for the miles back to the car)