La Grande Chute

Col de Granier, June 5th 2010, Lyon-Mont Blanc-Lyon Sportive.

For 33 years I've been throwing myself in to the scenery.  First in cars, then on bikes.  On one infamous occasion, just outside Warsaw, I even managed to triple somersault a Yamaha Thunder Ace and wrap it upside down around a tree! 

Life's been fast and furious but this one, came from absolutely nowhere, was H U G E and stung more than all the others put together.  Still, all part of the rich tapestry of life!  And after hearing the sad news from this year's Time Megeve, I realise how lucky I am...

All was going well until I punctured on the climb.  At the feed, we (I) decided to change the rear wheel. 

▼ Inflated wheel with gas canister (1st mistake; too hard)
▼ Didn't centre brakes (2nd mistake, spongy brake lever)
▼ Tried to make up lost time (3rd mistake...)

With three strikes and out, it was only going to end one way.  A very high speed visit backwards in to the scenery was halted when I hit a tree with the small of my back.

The result ripped core and back muscles.  No bruising, hardly any road rash and not a single mark on my clothing or damage to my helmet.  How ironic is that?  So I recovered my bike from further down the mountain, also not a single mark, then carried on for another 30k.  When I stopped for a wazz, the damage became apparent.

Two weeks later still can't tie my own laces, I walk like a cross between John Wayne and the spaceman robot on the Honda advert and I can't cuddle the missus.  Luckily Dianne had some tablets left over from her collarbone breakage earlier in the season!

It only hurts when I laugh, and/or breath.  And as I found out recently, sneezing is to be avoided at all costs.

Onwards and upwards, 'cause downwards bloody sucks.  Anyway, here's a refresher of my Descending Skills Factsheet.  I must read it some time...

My thanks to Richard Davy (right) who (in a Broke Back Mountain reconstruction) pulled me naked and unconscious from the shower after I "had a moment," blacked out due to the pain, then smacked my head on the taps as I went down.  Remember, always wear your helmet!