Old Belair Rd adventures
I got taught a lesson this morning about respecting tight corners on wet roads while riding downhill. Its funny how I was always so careful about this situation in my 10+ years riding motorbikes (and three of being an instructor), and yet looking back now I haven't been as paranoid about wet corners on an unpowered bike. Was a true 'blink of an eye' moment between getting ready for the corner and sliding down the road.
Apologies to anyone I held up while staggering around on the side of the road, and eternal thanks to the lovely Margie - a palliative care nurse at Blackwood Hospital who stopped, picked me up and found me an ambulance. Feeling exceptionally lucky that it was a right-hander (taking me away from the traffic), that I slid straight down the road rather than into the guard rails, and aside from some cosmetic damage to both me and the bike all should be ok.
On the plus side, the nice folks at JT Brighton are already on the job fixing it up for me - should be back on the road in a week if the bruising to my shoulder settles down like I hope it will.
Tags: crash
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Drechsler on -
Thanks Jim,
Yeah, they've been good so far. Still can't believe I got off as lightly as I did!
See you out on the road at some stage :)
Mark.
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Permalink Reply by Bio-Mechanics Cycles & Repairs on -
Sorry to hear about your stack, Mark -- hope you feel better soon!
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Permalink Reply by Mark Drechsler on
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Cheers!
Its the day after and I feel like I've been beaten all over rather than just the places where I touched down. The recovery process is an interesting beast!
Mark.
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Permalink Reply by Mark Drechsler on
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Yes,
Definitely noticing the difference since the adrenaline wore off. Ribs are ok, just achey. Thigh graze is the worst one for hair in the wound, but get the feeling its going to be the soft tissue damage in the shoulder joint that will take the longest to heal.
Goal now is to get out for the CVSA training ride the weekend after next - fingers crossed.
M.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Warner on -
The trouble with road tyres is that, because the contact patch is so small, you only need to touch a small slippery patch or bit of debris to lose your grip instantly - patches which are impossible to see on the way down a fast descent.
With so many nice dry days to hoon down hills in Adelaide, let's all take it easy on the handful of wet ones!
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Permalink Reply by Marty Shears on -
Sorry to hear you came off. Meeting me must have cursed you this week :p Sounds like you were lucky a car wasn't in the mix. Glad to hear you are reasonably okay,
Keep slip and slide to a nice bit of downhill grass and a garden hose yes? :)
Marty
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Permalink Reply by Mark Drechsler on
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*ahem*, yes, I think I'll take your advice on that one.
I knew I sounded too confident about coming down Old Belair when I spoke to you Monday night :)
M
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Permalink Reply by Clyde.S.Dale on -
The things people do to get out of a ride with the MAMILS this Sunday! :)
Hope you are on the mend Drex and see you out there again soon.
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