We had a training ride this morning from The Windrush in Witney at 08:00 so I thought I’d cycle from Bicester to increase my weekly mileage. I set the alarm for stupid O’clock and left the house at 06:45. It was pitch black, and as soon as I was away from the streetlights I realised I really do need to spend big money on very good lights.
Aussie Dave met me in coming into Long Hanborough... he was tearing down the hill towards me and was gutted that he then had to turn around and go straight back up... His lights were really bright and I didn’t see it was him until he was almost level with me. I might get a set of the same lights they were great.
We got to The Windrush at 08:10 and met with Googie and after a coffee and a chat, we went to pick up Squidge. We decided to head back past Aussie Dave’s as he was only on a short run (although he still did 16 miles), so we said our goodbyes at the Freeland turn and off we went through Woodstock and toward Charlbury.
Blimey, it all happens in Charlbury!
As we came down the Woodstock Road into Charlbury, quite a steep hill where you can easily reach 35mph, a pigeon flew out of the hedge straight at Googie. He held on fearing the worst but managed to stay under control and didn’t come off. Unfortunately we can’t say the same for the pigeon’s head!!! He was a little way ahead of us and he looked a bit shaken when we caught up with him.
We took it steady through Charlbury, probably due to Googie’s near miss, but as I turned left onto Dyer’s Hill my front wheel “let go” and I had my first serious crash. It was my own fault, I keep telling the guys that the tyres will grip well on tarmac, even when wet, but watch out for white lines and metal covers.... Lesson of the day, practice what you preach.
I was looking down the road that I was turning onto and hadn’t noticed the metal cover in my path as I lent the bike over. The front of the bike slid off to the right and although I was only doing 13mph, I hit the floor with one hell of a thump. My hip took the brunt of the fall, but my elbow, knee and shoulder got a bump and graze too, in fact my elbow dug into my ribs so they’re bruised too! My head also went down with a force as well. I’m glad that, as I fell, I thought to turn my face away from the tarmac in the hope my helmet would reduce the blow!
We still had to cycle 8 miles back to The Windrush and I have to say it was a struggle. Googie made me a coffee and a bacon sarnie at the pub and very kindly gave me a lift home where a hot bath was definitely needed.
Two things I am glad of:
1. Layers
I was wearing cycling tights over my shorts and I had two long sleeve tops on. This meant that when I scraped along the floor, the materials “slid” across each other rather than one layer “sticking” to my skin. Without this I could be sporting some serious road-rash!
2. Helmet
I was wearing a helmet. and I don’t care about the argument for and against wearing one... at the very least it stopped me smashing the side of my head against the floor, at the worst... Who knows. I don’t want to find out. My hip and shoulder hurt enough
See the photo's below for what I hit and one of the resulting scrapes, this one is on my hip:
Aussie Dave met me in coming into Long Hanborough... he was tearing down the hill towards me and was gutted that he then had to turn around and go straight back up... His lights were really bright and I didn’t see it was him until he was almost level with me. I might get a set of the same lights they were great.
We got to The Windrush at 08:10 and met with Googie and after a coffee and a chat, we went to pick up Squidge. We decided to head back past Aussie Dave’s as he was only on a short run (although he still did 16 miles), so we said our goodbyes at the Freeland turn and off we went through Woodstock and toward Charlbury.
Blimey, it all happens in Charlbury!
As we came down the Woodstock Road into Charlbury, quite a steep hill where you can easily reach 35mph, a pigeon flew out of the hedge straight at Googie. He held on fearing the worst but managed to stay under control and didn’t come off. Unfortunately we can’t say the same for the pigeon’s head!!! He was a little way ahead of us and he looked a bit shaken when we caught up with him.
We took it steady through Charlbury, probably due to Googie’s near miss, but as I turned left onto Dyer’s Hill my front wheel “let go” and I had my first serious crash. It was my own fault, I keep telling the guys that the tyres will grip well on tarmac, even when wet, but watch out for white lines and metal covers.... Lesson of the day, practice what you preach.
I was looking down the road that I was turning onto and hadn’t noticed the metal cover in my path as I lent the bike over. The front of the bike slid off to the right and although I was only doing 13mph, I hit the floor with one hell of a thump. My hip took the brunt of the fall, but my elbow, knee and shoulder got a bump and graze too, in fact my elbow dug into my ribs so they’re bruised too! My head also went down with a force as well. I’m glad that, as I fell, I thought to turn my face away from the tarmac in the hope my helmet would reduce the blow!
We still had to cycle 8 miles back to The Windrush and I have to say it was a struggle. Googie made me a coffee and a bacon sarnie at the pub and very kindly gave me a lift home where a hot bath was definitely needed.
Two things I am glad of:
1. Layers
I was wearing cycling tights over my shorts and I had two long sleeve tops on. This meant that when I scraped along the floor, the materials “slid” across each other rather than one layer “sticking” to my skin. Without this I could be sporting some serious road-rash!
2. Helmet
I was wearing a helmet. and I don’t care about the argument for and against wearing one... at the very least it stopped me smashing the side of my head against the floor, at the worst... Who knows. I don’t want to find out. My hip and shoulder hurt enough
See the photo's below for what I hit and one of the resulting scrapes, this one is on my hip:
(Edit: The picture below left is 24 hours later. Below right is 5 days later)
I can’t say I’m glad it happened, obviously, but I would rather it happen now than on the first day of our trip. Hopefully it’s my first and last fall.... I won’t be placing any money on it though!
Come back soon to www.5blokes-end2end.weebly.com and please donate as much as you can at www.justgiving.com/5blokes-end2end
All the best,
Nathan
Come back soon to www.5blokes-end2end.weebly.com and please donate as much as you can at www.justgiving.com/5blokes-end2end
All the best,
Nathan