It all began on a day like any other. A morning weekend long ride with the team up and around hills.
This time though, I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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| Random chuck of road missing |
It was a Sunday morning just a day after our second round of Malakoff University Duathlon Series, a short, fast and exciting event. I say that, but the bike loop of the race consisted of two loops of pain inducing steep hills and technical descents. That was something I favoured though. With my weight I had the advantage on the climbs over the rest, saving much more energy, putting less watts in and producing less lactic. It all made the difference in the final 3km run, where I was able to put a good distance on the field to finish first.. Great event as always!
As we finished our final repetition on the hills, it was time for a descent back before a good lunch and home.
That is, until ME happened.
As I was descending (the rest were ahead of me and out of sight as I had a short stop to clean off some vines wedged in my rear brake), I came to this corner where a massive sign board was placed in the middle of my side of the road, leaving only the right lane to be free. Knowing the dangers in the tight, blind spot, I slowed down a little and tried staying as close to the board as I could to avoid incoming vehicles or other ascending cyclists.
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| This sign board |
But as I approached it, a large group of motorbikers (in their fancy sports bikes and full biking kits) flew up. It was a large group of about ten or more, roaring up fiercely (or rather recklessly) and took up the entire lane. As if that wasn't enough, some idiot even tried overtaking the leaders in rows of three through a tight spot to their right (my left)..
That was what they had been doing just as I approached, and did not even care to give any space for me to pass through at all. I was already at that position when the motorists came so I did not have a chance to spot to let them pass, or ride through before they approached.
Knowing I was facing grave danger of colliding head on with the motorists speeding at 80kph or so, I leaned as far left as I could, when I notice another rider from the back making a wider turn, about to ride into me.
I only had a split second to react.
I immediately jerked my handlebars further to the left, smashing myself into the pole supporting the sign post, barely escaping the motorist, and was sent hurling off my bike to kiss the tarmac road.
Obviously I wasn't feeling rather found of giving the road a peck at 40kph so I tucked my head in in an attempt to roll through the fall.
The side of my head and shoulder took most of the impact (Shattering my few months old great helmet) before doing a barrel roll for another few meters.
I must have been exploding with adrenaline for I immediately jumped to my feet in (what I think) was my body's way if saying it didn't like being on the tarmac very much.
What really did me head in was seeing that group continue to ride off and out of sight.
So much for road safety...
Surprisingly the injuries were minor, other than road rashes and bruises, as well as a swelling left leg from smacking into the support bar (which was what caused my crashed).
I made a decision to take a fall, rather than a risk of being hit by a speeding vehicle head on. I basically made a life and death choice...
As well as that, there's one HUGE lesson to be learnt from here, for everyone.
Casual cyclists, professional, whatever- ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET (Preferably a quality one that guaranties safety).
When I fell, I took majority of the impact on the helmet, completely smash my beautiful Rudy Project Windmax. The force was large enough it compressed my head (where the impact was), and caused blood to swell beneath the helmet line. A big lump across my right eyebrow. I was lucky to have tucked my head in too or I'd be in a neck brace right now, probably in a hospital bed.
So just imagine, I had no helmet on, or if my helmet weren't designed to withstand that impact.
Imagine the impact directly on your forehead (or a helmet that just wasn't use at absorbing the shock.
As cheesy as this may be, or a cliche (truth though), my Windmax saved my life.
-Time to pick a new helmet as well!
That was what they had been doing just as I approached, and did not even care to give any space for me to pass through at all. I was already at that position when the motorists came so I did not have a chance to spot to let them pass, or ride through before they approached.
Knowing I was facing grave danger of colliding head on with the motorists speeding at 80kph or so, I leaned as far left as I could, when I notice another rider from the back making a wider turn, about to ride into me.
I only had a split second to react.
I immediately jerked my handlebars further to the left, smashing myself into the pole supporting the sign post, barely escaping the motorist, and was sent hurling off my bike to kiss the tarmac road.
Obviously I wasn't feeling rather found of giving the road a peck at 40kph so I tucked my head in in an attempt to roll through the fall.
The side of my head and shoulder took most of the impact (Shattering my few months old great helmet) before doing a barrel roll for another few meters.
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| Yes my leg did that... Ouch? |
I must have been exploding with adrenaline for I immediately jumped to my feet in (what I think) was my body's way if saying it didn't like being on the tarmac very much.
What really did me head in was seeing that group continue to ride off and out of sight.
So much for road safety...
Surprisingly the injuries were minor, other than road rashes and bruises, as well as a swelling left leg from smacking into the support bar (which was what caused my crashed).
I made a decision to take a fall, rather than a risk of being hit by a speeding vehicle head on. I basically made a life and death choice...
As well as that, there's one HUGE lesson to be learnt from here, for everyone.
Casual cyclists, professional, whatever- ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET (Preferably a quality one that guaranties safety).
When I fell, I took majority of the impact on the helmet, completely smash my beautiful Rudy Project Windmax. The force was large enough it compressed my head (where the impact was), and caused blood to swell beneath the helmet line. A big lump across my right eyebrow. I was lucky to have tucked my head in too or I'd be in a neck brace right now, probably in a hospital bed.
So just imagine, I had no helmet on, or if my helmet weren't designed to withstand that impact.
Imagine the impact directly on your forehead (or a helmet that just wasn't use at absorbing the shock.
As cheesy as this may be, or a cliche (truth though), my Windmax saved my life.
-Time to pick a new helmet as well!
