A Belated Birthday and a Couple of Scrapes

Mindful Day turned a year old 10 days ago.  October 2, 2013, was the first post.  The impetus was the federal government shutdown that sent us all home in a state of limbo, not knowing when we'd go back to work.  The blog gave me something to do - something I hadn't done consistently before.

So now I'm into the second year.  I haven't posted every day, but most.  It has helped me document some of the interesting things I have seen and done, and also been a motivator to look more closely at things, to pay attention, and to think about what seems important and why.

We went for another bike ride today, up Sligo Creek trail to Wheaton Regional Park, where we explored a few new trails before heading back.  About a mile from home, I came around a corner and the trail ahead was filled with people.  Usually people stay to one side of the trail and leave at least a little room to maneuver, but not this time.

I hit the back brake and the wheel skidded out on the leaves on the trail.  I managed to ride the skid a bit so I wasn't going full speed when I hit the rough asphalt, but I knew it was going to hurt.  I ended up with a broad scrape on my right leg below the knee, and a nickle-sized round deep scrape and contusion on the side of my right foot right behind the big toe.  The sock and the shoe also have nickle-sized round holes.   I expect I will heal, but the sock and shoe will not.

I was riding too fast for that stretch of trail.  It would have been fine if not for the people.  But I know the trail is busy on nice days like today, and needed to be more mindful of the situations I might encounter.