Yes... I do feel the extra burden of responsibility with my loved one on the back. I am a moderately risk-aversive 50-something, and I do concentrate a LOT on my riding as I do my driving (defensive and advanced driving courses early in my life help with this).

Machka is not keen on fast descents (50+km/h) and that is reasonably fine, especially as we seem to be handling climbing much better these days, and we aren't losing out on the way up and down.

So, thanks for both the caution (through recounting of incidents and injuries) and the encouragement (that outcomes can be controlled to a degree). I will continue to treat sand, gravel and dampness with the respect they are due.