Oh, Deerfield ... you are fated to be my white whale.

On deck for a squeaker of a finish, coming in just before cut off, I had already, by then, endured 70 miles of hellacious sandy and dirt descents, 27% climbs, and mile long hill summits. I was tired but elated, having a great afternoon on my bike ... until my front wheel hit a deep rut at 25 mph and my bike stopped while I kept going; flying into a fire road and having my flesh scoured by gravel and dust.

Full crash story here: (http://cris.livejournal.com/184116.html).

Still recuperating five days later. The road burn is healing, I can make a fist with my left hand now and my left knee can take steps two at a time in short bursts. I hope to be back on my bike after a few more days ... two more weeks until I'm off to Africa and away from the bike for the rest of September ... need to make sure there are no hard feelings between us before I leave.