Darkwing’s Farewell Tour
Interrupted By Wasps
There I was, out with Darkwing again after nearly six months apart. Darkwing’s my YT Decoy, the electric mountain bike I’d all but abandoned once my Enduro came along and stole my heart. The plan was simple: drain the batteries one last time so they’d recharge properly, then bring Darkwing home, clean her up, snap some photos, and sell her off to someone who’d actually give her the attention she deserves. A good send-off before a good home.
Heading up Mid Tower toward Woody Mountain, I swapped batteries, dropped my bag, and pushed on to the summit. That part was everything riding should be. Quiet, clear, the valley stretched out below like a reward for showing up. On the way down I grabbed my bag and the spare battery and pointed myself toward home.
That’s when a wasp decided my tongue looked like a worthy target. It came at my face out of nowhere, and despite my shouting and head-shaking, it got the tip of my tongue before retreating. I rode home monitoring my own breathing like an amateur paramedic, half convinced my throat might stage a protest. Twenty minutes later, no swelling, just a throbbing tongue and a steady drool problem.
I texted Mo. She called immediately, calm as ever, promising I’d survive. Then I went outside to clean Darkwing for her farewell photoshoot, and wouldn’t you know it, more wasps showed up. I swatted one with a towel and paid for it with a sting on the calf.
That night, mouth buzzing, calf buzzing, I pressed mud on the stings while Mo researched yellowjacket alarm pheromones. Apparently, injured wasps can rally their own nestmates, though rarely wasps from unrelated colonies. Somehow I still managed to prove the exception.
Some days remind you that nothing owes gentleness, only views.
July 10th, Over and Over
A look back at every July 10th on record, from stressed-out 2002 to fire-lit 2008 to the healing dirt loops of 2025. Same date, same bike, same restless need to get outside no matter what life throws at it. Turns out July 10th has always been about riding through the mess.
Read more: https://8i11.vercel.app/story/zrdwpjjh