The Queen of Feeder Line

Those of you who know me know I’m not a jumper.  But I’ve been practicing.  It all started with the Yeti—the most playful bike I’ve ever ridden.  Things just kind of grew from there.  Don’t get me wrong: we’re not talking big air, but these days I’ll throw in a few lift-offs, with maybe a hint of mid-air style.

So that was my mindset as I was riding Feeder Line yesterday.  Feeder Line clockwise has that little kicker at the end, a short, steep ramp that tends to throw my rear wheel up and cause really sketchy nose-down landings.  But not this time.  I’ve been practicing.  Feeder Line kicker, I’ve got your number. 

So I did the climb, and as I was descending I was telling myself, keep your weight back at the jump.  Preload and pull up.  I always aim for the left side of the ramp to avoid that big flat rock on the right, so I was anticipating a small tail whip.  (I know, it’s me, and that’s crazy talk, but that’s that the plan.)  I round the last corner with lots of speed, sight down the kicker, and that’s when I saw a deer standing right in my landing zone!  Slam on the brakes, roll the kicker!  The deer jumped into the woods and did this springy boing-boing thing till there was time and distance between us.  

It was a big doe and she turned to face me as I marveled at her.  I reached for my phone to take a picture, but she took a step away, so I froze.  Finally, I snorted, smiled and wiped my face.  I bid her adieu, and she waved back with her ears, like the Queen of Feeder Line.