A farewell to cycling innocence ... Ouch!

So, I noticed the merry month of May was without a post and thought it must be well past time to update 'the readership' on Team Iron Horse antics.

Shortly before, after or during that thought, I fell off my bike. And no, it wasn't stationary at the time. 

In fact, it's been over a week since, at around 40kmh I reconnected with Planet Earth; rediscovering the fact that gravel and gravity don't mix.

In short, (clinically*) fractured ribs, lots of abrasions and bruises (mostly on the upper left arm and both shoulders). Bruises have been coming through all week on the legs, hips and arms. 

Irreversible damage and dismemberment was visited upon various cycling accoutrements: shredded seat, burst CamelBak, torn rain jacket, busted helmet and I suspect that I need a new front wheel.

What caused such mayhem? A rock in a pothole ... I think. Without video footage to review I suspect the exact cause may remain a mystery.

We were descending Hat Hill Road, past the Pulpit Rock turnoff, aiming to walk up Hat Hill itself. Highland Horse was along for the ride, another of our regular thrice weekly micro pedalathons. Shortly after the incident he expressed amazement that there wasn't more blood!

Here's his eyewitness account:

"Nasty business. We were going at the clappers at the time and riding into the sun. Thunder went down hard in an explosion of dust and just kept bouncing - he could have taught Barnes Wallis a thing or two."

Guess I must have rolled quite a few times after being catapulted over the handlebars. Don't recall a great deal.

So, be careful out there.

:: NEWSFLASH ::
As I was about to post this entry, news has come to hand that Highland Horse met with injury while cycling along the Braeside Road earlier today. Scant information at the moment. Dislocated shoulder. More news as it comes to hand.

Is it the chill in the air that's causing these incidents?
Cycling into the sun?


So, once more, be careful out there, but have fun!


Pedal on!
Thunder Horse

* Clinically fractured, as per the Doctor who saw me in Emergency when the pain escalated. No breaks found on the Xray, but they're bloody sore to the touch. 
It seems I need visible fractures to elicit any sympathy at home. [Not entirely true ;-) ]