First it’s important to note that I would stand in front of a speeding tractor trailer to keep my Spark from getting hurt.  I’d ride off a cliff rather than have her fall.  BUT… yesterday I reconned a good training route around New Orleans.  It’s not an easy place to find a safe ride.  We studied it hard and decided on a route I thought would keep us safe and on relatively smooth road (another very hard thing to find here).  We set out with the promise of a good ride and a plan to finish up at Cafe Du Monde for beneighs.  Ride to the ferry went well and we were warmed up and ready to roll.  Next part of the ride was on neutral ground on Canal St.  Pretty spacious and you just have to dodge street cars.  There’s plenty of room.  The Neutral ground is basically a big cement median – probably 40 feet wide.  There’s a good strip down the middle to ride and stay away from street cars.  Need to keep an eye out for crossing tourists and turning motorists at turn arounds.  Stop for the traffic lights and it’s all good.  Only caution I gave Spark was – stay away from the street car rails.  They’ll grab your wheel and pitch you off your bike.  They’re basically just train tracks set into the cement.  40 feet of cement – maybe 20 inches of which is street car tracks.  Warned – "if you have to cross them – cross at a right angle."  40 Feet cement – 20 inches of rail.  Stay away from the rail.  Don’t ride near the rail.  The rail will grab your wheel and you’ll fall.  Did I mention I’d throw myself into burning fire for Sparky? It all went well – we had to cross the rail a couple times but did so at right angles – no problem.  Coming to the end of the neutral ground and getting ready to jump to the street.  That went swimmingly!  One quick dodge around some poles and we’ll cross the street.  There’s a vagrant passing me on a mountain bike (formerly someone elses mountain bike) but he dodges to the other side and Spark (riding behind me) should be fine.  Then – CCCCRRRRAAAAASSSHHHH!!!! – I heard and prayed that Sparky had somehow knocked the vagrant over or he had just fallen (sorry homeless guy – did I mention I’d drive 100mph into a brick wall for her?).  NOpe – I spun around and there she was crumpled in a pile under her bike.  What did I say would happen if you rode in the rails?  40 feet of open cement – 20 inches of rail.  I’ll give you that the poles took up 2 feet – so 38 feet of open cement 20 inches of rail.  She was getting up as I got back – looked to have gone down pretty hard.  I DID NOT SAY "What did I say about the rails?"  I DID NOT SAY "What were you doing riding in the rails?"  I DID NOT say "38 feet of open cement and you decided to ride in this 5 inches?"  I DID check her over and see how she was.  I REALLY hate it when she falls or gets hurt.  I couldn’t understand why she was riding in that 5 inches where the rail was – I think I mentioned that if you ride there – you’ll fall.  So the ride ended – both of us shaken – her a lot worse than me – and she was also hurt and I wasn’t sure how bad.  Turns out good – road rash and some bruising.  She didn’t think she hit her head – but upon futher inspection of the old brain bucket – she had.  That’s about the thousandth time I’ve seen someone saved by that silly bike helmet.  Been hit by cars 3 times – first time – no helmet – no memory of what happened and likely laid unconcious for a time alone.  Next two times – had to replace the helmet – other wise minor inuries – but without the helmet?  Might be even more silly than I already am.  So we limped home – her limping more than me.  I stayed quiet – because all I could think of to say was – "40 feet of cement – 20 inches of rail.  If you ride in the rails – you’ll fall."  She’s fine now and back to training.  I have to admit I have the baddest chick in the world!  Many would probably quit and say no more.  Today’s training lesson – " stay away from train and street car tracks – they’ll throw you off your bike." AND wear your helmet – unless you like the thought of ME pushing on your chest and locking kips with you to help you breath until EMS gets there.  NO HELMET?  Ride with somone else…  By the way – we went straight home… did not pass go… did not collect $200 or get any benieghs – Sparky was bleeding and sore – and I had my tongue clenched between my teeth.  I was afraid if I opened my mouth, out would pop… "40 feet of cement, 20 inches of rails – don’t ride in the rail – use the other 38 feet adn 4 inches."  I thought I would look pretty funny covered in powdered sugar with cafe au lait dripping off my head, and beneighs sticking out of my bike shorts.