As you may be aware if you have read any of previous blog posts or the about me section within my profile or blog, then you will know that I am fairly new to the joys of all things mountain biking!
The details of my "off" are not that significant or in any way unusual but they did bring into focus the importance of good or proper riding wear and protection.
During my ride I saw an interesting looking path adjacent to my normal route. This twisting route looked a lot of fun and ran virtually parallel to the trail-way. I decided to check it and started to ride along it.
At the start it was really good fun and challenging. Some great twists and turns, little dips with the odd exposed tree root.
The surface was pretty solid and was a little worn, so I knew it was a used route for either riders, joggers or walkers. The track was strewn in places with pine cones and fir needles from the surrounding pine trees. This was due to the unseasonal windy weather we had had for the past couple of days, although I did not give this much thought at the time.
My confidence increasing I started to go faster and enjoy the sweeping elements of this fun single track route. Then I came to section that had more denser trees and I began to weave through them; so far all good! Then I took a section a little quicker around a sharper than expected sweep between the trees and was heading towards a large holly bush a few yards in front of me. Wrongly I hit my brakes and tried to steer away from it in one movement without really adjusting my body position. This is when my front wheel lost grip and slide away under me. Now I am leaning to my right trying to steer away from the holly bush and my front wheel has lost contact and I am heading downwards, when the sliding front wheel hits an exposed tree route and stops very suddenly sending me off my bike sideways.
Now this all happened very fast but my exit from my bike was at an angle towards the large pine trees I had moments before been happily traversing through! I could see the mighty wide tree trunk coming into close proximity and I hit it hard! First with my hip then knee and then shoulder, before finally as my body recoiled slightly my head gave a glancing blow against the mighty trunk!
Now I must say no real damage was done to me, aside from my very bruised ego, and a nice bruise on my hip. But after lying and then sitting for a few moments I did begin to realise and appreciate the importance and value of wearing the correct attire and protection.
My hands were all good due to my gloves; my head and face were all fine due to my helmet; my hip could have been a lot worse if I had not been wearing my padded protection under shorts.
After a few moments I retrieved my bike from under the holly bush and continued my ride, a little slower at first.
Like I said earlier no real damage done to me or my bike but it did refocus my attentions on always be dressed appropriately and the essential basic needs of wearing a helmet and gloves.
God bless my Bell helmet, Specialised gloves and Muddy Fox undershorts!
