Learning to Fall

15 September, 2013

Julio has two mountain bikes, which just begs a ride. He took me up to the Monte area above his house. Murcia is in a valley between two mountain ranges, and there are myriad trails to ride, walk or jog. That has been one of the things I most looked forward to in coming to Spain. I used to participate in marathons and triathlons, but I managed to kick the habit about 4 years ago. The upside was I had more time for TV. The downside was I am now a marshmallow.

We were literally crawling up the hill. It is uphill from Julio's house to the top of the mountain, about 600 meters over 7 kilometers. The worst part is watching abuelos (granddaddies) pass you and offer a little cheese for your whine. I would kick out their spokes, but I am pretty sure they could outrun me too. The vistas make the trip worthwhile, however, as they are incredible. In one direction, we can see the beach, which is about 40 km away. In the other direction, we can see the mountains on the other side of Murcia and all the small communities in between.

The downhill part was awesome. We were flying past all those abuelos like they were standing still, cranking on the brakes, dodging ruts, living the life. Julio took me out to what they call "The Moonscapes" because it is so desolate and barren. It reminded me of Arizona or New Mexico. A fleeting thought of Julio's intentions entered my mind, but I really didn't have much time to think about anything more than saving my life from the breakneck speeds. Right in the middle of the moon, I took a nasty spill, head over handlebars.

Your natural instinct is to reach out toward the ground as it approaches your head. This is not, however, the best way to fall.  I have learned, after much research and experimentation, to tuck and roll. Extending your arms exposes your shoulders to dislocation, your ribs to breaking and your face to road rash. My face is too precious for that. I was in a car wreck two weeks before high school graduation and mashed in my face pretty bad. My dad said, "Boy you look like you ran a 100 yard dash in a 90 yard gym." I told him it was genetic, but he said not to talk about my mama that way. That's the way we roll in the Askins family.

I have tried and failed at many things in life. I have learned that I have no business owning a computer sales and service business. I have learned to do a better job of math before buying a building. I have learned that people who look good are sometimes dirty, rotten cheaters who take your money and run. I have learned to fall. Tuck and roll.

I have also learned how to get back up, dust myself off, check my bike for damage and start riding again. Blood will wash off. To quote one of my favorite movies, "Tis merely a flesh wound!" I think that is why it was relatively easy for me to decide to come to Spain and so difficult for others to comprehend. I have embraced failure all my life. I am an entrepreneur and a risk-taker. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes I crash. Tuck and roll.