Feline Law
A cat walking into a room containing twelve seated people will jump into the lap of the person who hates cats the most.

Certainly the idea of tumbling down a mountain on two wheels at 40 mph down a steep [large] rocky path patched with slippery sand did not sound appealing at first glance. On retrospect, it probably does not reflect me. But I certainly undertook it. Not for the glamor or fame, but for the pure thrill and for the exhilerating and uncontrollable power that Mother Nature, whom I dared to challenge, had on me.

A scenic drive through the Sierras at heights of 11000 ft, landed us at NorthStar - a ski resort, which has mountain biking and golfing during the summer.

A mild set of hills, with a windmill sentinel gaurding the range jealously.

The Sierra mountain range.
The line you see in the middle is the railway line - part of the transcontinental railroad, cutting through the sierras.

One hour and 50 dollars later put me at the top of a hill, with a really expensive mountain bike (> $1500), with helmets and gloves and staring down, rather akwardly at a relatively wide and safe path and waiting for others to come up to. And 15 minutes later, I was lying down on the muddy earth, in a rather twisted position: a shoe stuck in the handle bar, multiple lacerations in my left arm and lower right leg and full body painting in dirt-brown color.
Why, because a dumb human when facing the wrath of nature can do really stupid things - like applying only the front hydraulic brakes while moving really fast, resulting in a nice somersault over the bike.

Nevertheless, I paid a lot for this. So pain notwithstanding - I continued biking, over more steeper, narrower and more dangerous paths. Until they closed down the lift that takes us lazy bikers up the hill.

A warm clean shower at a beautifully decorated condo (house) put me in my right mind, and all set for a sumptuous Italian dinner, amazing fireworks (the Independence Day fireworks) and sound sleep after an hour long TV session. And ready to face ice-cold white water rafting the next day!

To be continued...