StuAff
Silencing his legs regularly
- Location
- Portsmouth
Grr....at this moment I was expecting to be atop the Beacon, making my way to the Madeira, or having breakfast there. Not laid up at home. But that was before I kissed the dirt rather hard on Reigate Hill....
First part of the night went swimmingly. Train was slightly early into Waterloo, smooth & rapid progress to HPC, and the first part of the journey was great. Notwithstanding the additional weight of the Carradice SQR bag & contents on the back, the Viner was handling the roads superbly, confirming it was worth all the ££££££ to put back together. Then came Reigate Hill. I remember discussing downhill speeds with Lee. I remember our leader's reinforcing safety talk about taking the descent carefully- oh how apt in my case that was to prove. I remember the first part of the descent. What I don't remember, and it's probably for the best, is how I ended up lying right side down in the road, feeling somewhat 'ouchy'. Ian was right behind me and thinks I clipped a catseye. However it happened, I've now got umpteen cuts, bruises and abrasions on my right hand (knuckle, dressing would prevent shifting even if I felt up to riding- one working hand at the mo), arm- elbow also dressed, bit of abrasion on the forearm- right thigh (not dressed, wishing they had atm), temple (helmet seems to have saved me from further noggin damage), and shin.
That bothers me less than the damage to the bike- as in my last couple of prangs, I seem to have done a perfect job of protecting the frame. However, my nice shiny new Athena rear derailleur is now scratched up (plus the cable end got snagged), as is my lovely XT SPD pedal. Two weeks. Two weeks in perfect nick, and then this....AAAARGH! And I missed baklava. And Ditchling. And breakfast. And the Big Surprise. That in particular.
Hope everyone had a lovely time despite that little incident, and I'll see you next month (it is only cuts and bruises, honest!).
First part of the night went swimmingly. Train was slightly early into Waterloo, smooth & rapid progress to HPC, and the first part of the journey was great. Notwithstanding the additional weight of the Carradice SQR bag & contents on the back, the Viner was handling the roads superbly, confirming it was worth all the ££££££ to put back together. Then came Reigate Hill. I remember discussing downhill speeds with Lee. I remember our leader's reinforcing safety talk about taking the descent carefully- oh how apt in my case that was to prove. I remember the first part of the descent. What I don't remember, and it's probably for the best, is how I ended up lying right side down in the road, feeling somewhat 'ouchy'. Ian was right behind me and thinks I clipped a catseye. However it happened, I've now got umpteen cuts, bruises and abrasions on my right hand (knuckle, dressing would prevent shifting even if I felt up to riding- one working hand at the mo), arm- elbow also dressed, bit of abrasion on the forearm- right thigh (not dressed, wishing they had atm), temple (helmet seems to have saved me from further noggin damage), and shin.
That bothers me less than the damage to the bike- as in my last couple of prangs, I seem to have done a perfect job of protecting the frame. However, my nice shiny new Athena rear derailleur is now scratched up (plus the cable end got snagged), as is my lovely XT SPD pedal. Two weeks. Two weeks in perfect nick, and then this....AAAARGH! And I missed baklava. And Ditchling. And breakfast. And the Big Surprise. That in particular.
Hope everyone had a lovely time despite that little incident, and I'll see you next month (it is only cuts and bruises, honest!).
)
