@ Abitibi- Correct, the shower is planned and on order. I did however order it with 1/2" barb connections so I can use PEX tubing. Let's keep one another informed on this shower install...
@ Jsweezy and JoeH- Ha! Sounds like you guys are familiar with taking the occasional dirt sample.
At the end of July I got a group of friends to do a 2 day, 109 mile each day, enduro in South Fork, CO. It was touted as a good ol' reliability enduro through some epic terrain in the Rockies. Well, while the event was well organized, the race course was more like a desert race at elevation. Unfortunately, there was no single track, only two track atv trail, which made for some fast special tests. I averaged 36+ mph in the special test if that gives you any indication. Usually, I don't care for super slow and tight riding but this was at the other end of the spectrum.
Anyway, last special test of the day I caught up to my friends riding a few minutes ahead. We were all able to enter the last special test section one after another in 15 second intervals. At that point all I wanted to do was reel the guys in and pass them. The special test section followed an atv two track across the top of a mountain void of tree cover and surprisingly rock free in comparison to the rest of the race course. It was on. I reeled in my first friend riding just a bit out of my comfort zone having my 250XC flat out pinned in top gear. All I remember is passing him and that's it. The rest of the tale is second hand.
He came around a bend only to see me already laying in the dirt. Approaching me he asked what hurts to which I replied, "Everything." He sat me up for a little while another friend pulled up. Still out of it, I insisted that I was going to finish the race. I got back on my bike, without recollection, and finished the special test section. The scorer caught wind of my get off and tried talking me into calling it quits right there rather than ride out the last transfer section to the finish. That wasn't part of my plan though. He gave me a quick, "what's you name?", "what day is it?", to which I replied, "race day!" Smart huh?! Then the old count to ten which I did. Then I got really smart saying I would do it backwards, which I did and then said I was out of there. Only, I had to ask why I had a score sheet on my fender and when the heck did I get it. Still out of it...
My memory comes back as I am coming down a short rocky descent and I fall again. This prompts my friends to insist I call it quits and sit my ass down. Nope, I had them pick my bike back up and off I rode to the last gas stop. Only there did a course worker talk me out of riding the last 10 miles to the finish. He said he'd give my score card to my friends to have it scored as having finished. Fair enough. I took a more comfortable ride back to the pits in the passenger seat of a truck.
One of my friends thought that maybe my rear tire hit a short stump that threw me. That could well be. I don't know.
And that is how I ended up with pins in my left hand even though I mashed the ground with the right side of my body. Broken bone tally goes to 17 and it's another dirt bike tale.
Pic pre-crash changing a tube between special tests. Yep, stayed on minute.