(non klr) mounting (not so) gracefully

[mark ward]

I was going up Estes Park (CO.) and as I came around a curve I seen alot of people stopped and taking Pic's., There being no regular parking spot and being on a Crusier, PILED SO HIGH with camping gear etc., I had to put my foot on the seat and hop a few time to get on. I parked on the edge of the road, ...with the slite taper for rain run-off. So the bike was a little upright. There were a couple of Marmots, (look like Ground-hogs or wood-chucks) the male was standing up on his back legs warning everyone leave his lady alone. So I ran across the street to get a picture with the bike in it. THE (not so) "GRACFULL" MOUNT With heavy traffic, I started to run across the street, about mid way, Seeing More cars coming around the bend, I had a BRILLIANT IDEA,................. HOP RIGHT ONTO THE BIKE! Just time it RIGHT, so as I get there throw my leg up and ...................... OVER I WENT, BIKE AND ALL, WITH A SPLIT-RAIL FENCE 5-6ft AWAY. or should I say CHIN AND MOUTH AWAY. My Chin, mouth and nose looked liked knee's after tearing them up on cement. AND My bottom lip was jammed so hard the top teeth took of a few layer of SKIN. Enough I had to trim it off with sissors, Nice ride the next 2000 miles. Several young guys ran over to help left the bike UP HILL. The PAINfull part......about 6 young ladys 20-28, kept asking. are ok, are you ok? The GUYS UNDERSTANDING.... THE EMBARRASTMENT, HURT THE MOST, Led them away. Thanks guys PS. My FULL FACE HELMET was strapped on the left side and the face shield scraped up. I had a half helmet for the 25mile an hr rds. (never scratched My face protected IT.) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]