The Raven in my head

Cloudless and cool up at Red Box as I parked my van in the am. Quiet, I thought as only a slight breeze through the pines made any noise.
Then, wings flapping, caw-caw, a raven lands on top of the sign near the van. He looked at me, and I at him. With a head tilt and some clicks, he acknowledged my presence, I think.
So as I sat there in the open side doors, drinking my coffee, I watched the bird. And he watched me.
Why¿ why today. Why are you here checking me out.
He watched me prepare to ride as I waited for my perpetually late friend.
Occasionally another raven would fly by, caw -cawing and teasing the voyeur to fly away. But the raven stayed. And watched.
And I thought about my upcoming ride. Mt Disappointment over to the Lowe Rd, thru the tunnel and down Valley Forge. Old stuff for me, new for my buddy.
Don't go.
The thought flashed in my head.
Don't go.
I looked at the raven, he tilted his head and blinked.
I didn't really like the singletrack off Mt Disappointment. Carved out of bedrock, covered with scree, and with extreme exposure, I ride there rarely.
Don't go.
I looked at the bird and he was leaving, silently.
My buddy arrived shortly afterward and my interaction with the bird was lost in a pre-ride bro-gasm and smack talk session.
3 miles up the road and we were at the trailhead.
We dropped in, down the rock steps into the first of many tight, rocky, switchbacks.
Pick a line and the trail debris would shift it. Ever present death drops to the right. Rock wall to the left. Outstanding views, when you stopped.
Finally started to settle down a little when I dropped into a tight right-hander. I was used to the gravel moving a little and was anticipating the movement when one of the loose stones just stopped. Must have just hit bedrock just right, because my front wheel tucked in right and I went down on the rocks.
I immediately popped up and clutched my right arm. A wave of pain came over me and I took a knee, then I sat down. My buddy was there and waited and made sure I was ok.
I was, kind of. I had taken a hard fall onto the rocks and landed on my elbow. My right hand went numb for several minutes as the waves of pain subsided. I had a vee-shaped cut on my elbow, not bleeding, yet, so I tucked the flap back in place and finished the trail. Bike was ok, save for some seatstay scars.
I skipped VF, and rode the Mt Wilson road back down to Red Box.
As I rode up to my van, there were 2 ravens on the sign, and they alit, in a cacophony of caws, that left me feeling like they were laughing at me.
Don't go.


I slapped a large bandaid over the cut and headed home. Some butterfly bandages and a little superglue later and alls well, until I bump the elbow.



Just another beautiful day in the ANF.

 

Whoa. Was it a dream or was it real?

 

Very nice, Ross.


I had to think of it...another raven whisperer.



If any confusion: It's a song about a bird that died flying into a glass pane.

 

Nevermore...

 

From my buddies Instagram


Stunned by the pain, but tis but a flesh wound

 

Not a good look. Glad it was not worse.

Are G-forms too much trouble?

 

Now they are.
In all my years riding I have never hit my humerus like that. My bone resonated with pain. With that cut it will be weeks before I can get an elbow pad on.
I am wearing Fox mtb pants with Kelvar knees, notice the hole... I like them.

 

Welp, I’m not the one injured here but can I still say that that photo is worth it!? Amazing!

 

That is the view from the switchback I crashed on.
Worth it.

 

Ouch. Sorry to see that. High times ahead!

 

I've done that before. It's an odd and intense sensation.

 

I’d pack heat next time and pluck that stupid raven for jinxing you...

 

Finding out the true meaning of this song many years later was a let down. But, still such a gripping song regardless of meaning. One of SG’s most underrated! But, seriously they have soooooo many!

 

No need for heat. A wrist rocket can get the job done.

 

Maybe I should have listened to him!

 

Yeah, there's that, too.

 

Mt Disappointment singletrack is crazy. I've only pushed my bike through it once. Heal up my friend.

 

Yeah but if you miss he will laugh and caw caw back. Way harder to miss with a 12 gauge...

Maybe... those damn San Gabe rocks are solid and they leave a lasting impression. I’d still give that bird the bird though...

 

Sorry to hear about your injury, but pleased to read your poetic interpretation of the event. You'll be aiiight. Heal fast, my friend I've never met.

 

Ohhh, I'm surgical with a slingshot. I'd be more likely to miss with a scatter gun.

 

If that was a crash confession, it was the most eloquent and poetic one I have ever read.
I keep looking to the New York Times best seller list, waiting for the arrival of "The Memoirs of Rossage".
Yet it never comes. I will continue to wait, Evermore...

 

Can birds talk? Umm..
About 15 years ago, I went to my back yard to bbq. A little yellow bird was stuck in between a small crack on the bbq. its tiny leg was wedged in the crack. I gently and slowly grabbed it, pulled the leg down and out, and let it go. It flew away about 20 feet, then circled around and landed on a ledge right next to me at face level. then it chirped, looking at me. For a good minute. Then it flew away for good...
umm...

 

I once watched several Ravens open zippers and pillage luggage on top of cars in Yellowstone. They use tools, they remember faces, and they hold grudges.

 

And they can defecate while flying...

 

I miss the Far Side,gary Larsen!!
https://images.app.goo.gl/3X52A5zyzFpsjcca6