The good news: the 4000lb rock set ornamentally on the grass was unscathed, as was the red maple, as big around as one of those 'Fat Loser' personalities. My bike, checked over by our wonderful veteran, Pat, was in perfect working order; However, yours truly was a different story!
The B group, led by Steve G. headed up into Canterbury to points unknown by me...new roads and scenery awaited and I was having a great time...about a 1/4 mile behind as usual, but hey, we were climbing...anyway, a new downhill came along (finally!) and I was third in the group with plenty of distance from other riders so I figured, go for it..no one in the way right?
WRONG!!
At the bottom of this kick-ass downhill was a lovely 90 degree right turn...well, I knew pretty much immediately that I couldn't make the turn and I was going far to fast to stop, so I braked, starting slowly, but I got little result, so I just slammed them on, kept the bike as straight as possible, somehow managed not to hit the above mentioned stationary objects, and used my right side body parts to bring me to a gentle stop in the grass!
I wasn't knocked out and I could hear everyone's voices as they came running over...I lay there on my back, checking for non-moving parts as Eddie came over to kneel at my head....eventually, as I looked up, a ring of helmets hovered over me...so concerned. I tried to be brave and for the most part, did not cry, but I was feeling embarrassed and a fool for letting myself get out of control like that...
I got up after a bit and Patrick assured me my bike was in good working order...thank God for that steel spine. I dusted myself off and we continued on our way.
It wouldn't have done any good to turn around, we were halfway through the ride. I took some ibuprofen and at the pit stop...took a breather, but it was a LONG ride home. My right shoulder took the brunt of the fall and is pretty bruised, my knee too. My ego...yeah, that too.
My plan was to ride down that morning, which I did, and ride home, giving me a long (for me) ride. I did the smart thing though and asked Eddie for a lift.
Tammy, Dave, Steve, Dianna, Sue, Dan, Patrick, Eddie, Doug, Don and Steve: thanks for being a great bunch...I hope the pain goes away soon and am back on the bike soon...now's a good time to clean it!
I did have my longest ride to date: 50.1 miles at 13.7avg...seems unimportant though...
Dianna: I got ice on my shoulder by 5...I had to go to the grocery store for food and beer!
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Glad to hear you are relatively OK. As a motorcyclist who has "thrown a bike down" on the Blue Ridge Pkwy in the past, I'd suggest taking some time to review what caused the crash. Spend some time talking to people who have some experience riding at speed for input. This will have future safety benefits for you and anyone else who reads it. Mend quickly. Again, glad to see your OK.
ReplyDeleteBruce
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ReplyDeleteAs she rode across the lawn, braking with all her might, the bike begins to stop, back wheel skids sideways...and in a John-Wu-Action-Movie split second pause, I think she's going to stay on the bike since she's still upright...and the BAM!...momentum catches up and she is almost pushed off the bike onto her right side.
ReplyDeleteFirst words out of her mouth as I run up to her? "I crashed!" (as if we hadn't noticed!). I ask "Does anything feel really hurt?"...she responds..."Just my pride!"...and shortly after, she asks the question we're all waiting for "Is my bike OK?".
I am so thankful that Kerry steered perfectly onto the lawn...the thought of her hitting the pavement at that speed makes me shudder, as the ending to the story would be very different. My hero!
You had an adventure! "Adventure doesn't start until something goes wrong" not my definition but the one of the founder of Patagonia clothing company.
ReplyDeleteOK Kerry, you've made it to the big leagues! Now that you have gotten that behind you, it's time to work on your Cyclocross skills. I think you are ready as your bike seems to have instinctively directed itself to the soft grassy stuff vs the pavement. Good choice! We could set up weekly training sessions as we did a couple of years ago, working on your hill skills. I'll have you bunny hopping Jabba the Hutt rocks in a single bound! Seriously though, take care of yourself and get back on that bike as soon as you can. Glad to hear you are OK.
Yikes, glad that you had a "soft" landing. Missed the B ride as I fell on my bike going (zero mph) chain came off and I forgot to unclip. Hit the pavement and tore up my knee (we were in OR and it was chilly so I had on tights). Finished the last 5 miles of our ride before taking a look at the wound. It was bad enough to head to the ER for stiches and tape!
ReplyDeleteHope your not too sore today. See you next Sat.
Glad you are not hurt. See you on the road soon.
ReplyDelete