Fighting Predator

Everyone was busy yesterday, but I decided to head up to Ash Canyon for some singletrack anyhow. I knew there would be a bit of a struggle to get to the top of the climb, but little did I know the fight for my life had just begun.

Do you ever get that feeling that you’re being watched while out riding? I had the feeling that someone was watching me, although there was nobody in sight. It was also a bit too quiet.  There isn’t that much wildlife out this time of year, but yet it seemed odd.

As I got higher into the trees, the feelings of not being alone intensified. That’s when I heard the snap of branches. Something big was following me, possibly even closing in. I still couldn’t see any other signs of life, so I dismounted the bike, and tried to use all my senses for detection. Yes, there was something definitely nearby.

There was a loud crack as if something had fallen from a tree. Footsteps approached me, yet I could still see nothing. And then silence…

I desperately started looking around, even squinting my eyes.

And then all at once, I felt hot putrid breath on my face. A smell so vile that it almost knocked me down.

Suddenly there was an otherworldly clicking noise, and a shape appeared before me. Although I could see through the shape. Almost like looking through water. I yelled, but could not move.

When my paralyzing fear broke, I grabbed a branch off the ground and started swinging at the shape. I thought I heard laughter. But then my branch hit something solidly, and I heard a gasp. And then a yell of pain and anger. I dropped my branch, jumped on my bike, and rode down the singletrack like I have never done before, not once looking back.

Well that’s my story… Who’s riding today?