Go ahead and give it a shot.Β You will not win.Β Not even if you take a running start up to the thing.Β Not even if you take a running start up to the tree on a downhill.Β Not even if you take a running start up to the tree on a downhill and you’re going at least 10mph on your bike, run into a log that flips you over the handlebars and you do a ninja somersault before impact – you will still not beat the tree unless it is super tiny.
Here was my “plan.”

1) Ride down a hill and crash into a log so you begin the flipping action.

2) After flying over handle bars, throw shoulder down into the ground to begin the ninja somersault across the 10 foot space between log and tree.

3) After you head-butt the tree (hopefully you did wear a helmet – I did), you will probably need to hunt around for pieces that flew off you or the bike.

4) Take a moment to look back on how you might have handled that log better, but acknowledge you still won’t beat the tree.
Trees always win. How’s your head?
Fine! Helmet spared me a trip to the hospital for sure. In truth, it was a very weird experience. The forward roll was so graceful and fast that I had no sense than I was still moving forward. I basically felt that I was just letting momentum sit me up, but then the tree was right there in my face and either luck or instinct made my head tilt enough so my face didn’t kiss the tree. It sounds like some story I would figure someone was making up, but I really don’t know any other way to describe it.
Also… enjoy ur poison ivy.
How do you always know you cruel beast?
Welcome to downhilling! I think you handled it well…..
Thanks! Going to miss going this weekend but I’m game for next. Poison ivy is almost gone. *sigh*