So there I was, hydrated and loose, in the blue mountain biking top, cruising to the Six Feet Under Volume 2 Soundtrack – “Breathe Me” was ripping through the iPod, I was headed down hill. Life was good, when suddenly…

WTF, where is my bike?

I had been looking too far down the trail and had drifted too far to the right, caught a stump on a pedal, which brought the bike to a near halt, tossing me over the handlebars and into a nice roll into the brush – I ended up about eight feet from the bike.

No major injuries.. just some scrapes and alot of dust and dirt.. even some leaves ended up in my shorts…

So I got up, dusted myself off, and did the best thing I could.

I rode on.

Giro Atmos. And it rocks.

This breaks the record set back in April of just over 31 miles – but that one had a break in it of a few hours – this was a continuous ride with only water and bathroom breaks included.

I think I need a Madone now….

The advantage to this setup, of course, is that you gain a significant energy increase because the upstroke with your legs adds power – whereas without a pedal system or clips, you’re losing this extra energy boost.

The disadvantage is when you’re at the end of your ride, and you’re tired, and your brain is drifting.. and you fall.. if you can’t disengage your clips from the pedals you’re in for a really nasty landing.

And thus the four tears on my left leg near my ankle from where my ankle met the ground and part of my sprocket and some other bike parts.. and the reason we wear nice helmets from Giro.

Ouch.

I didn’t notice the bleeding until I got back to the room. My socks are ruined.

Ouch.