CRASH!

I used to have a sticker on my ski helmet which read "Crash and learn"... I wonder if what happened yesterday will teach me anything?

I went out to do an hour on the road bike, it was about half past three by I got going to I put the lights on and set off from Crookes, through Crosspool towards Rivelin Dams. Then up Roper Hill to Ringinglow and west, past Burbage Bridge, down The Dale to Hathersage. Just before I descended to Hathersage I stopped for a quick photo of the cloud inversion in the valley.


In Hathersage I turned left, up out of the village and back up the other way to Burbage Bridge. From there it was basically downhill to Ringinglow then all the way home. Good ride so far! It was getting dark now so I had the lights on, but as I came down past Lady Canning's plantation I remember noticing the slight sparkling on the tarmac. By the time I'd realised what this meant I was still doing about 50km/h when I noticed the patch of ice in front of me, which I hadn't seen on the way up. Half a second later I was on the floor, sliding along on my left side, with my foot still clipped in.


I remember coming to a stop and thinking I needed to get off the road. I saw a car coming behind me and was very grateful that I hadn't been 30 seconds later. I dusted myself off, picked up bottles from across the road, checked everything was working and decided just to get home as quickly as possible. The bike looked a bit battered, both levers were bent inwards, but actually it was OK and I was able to ride home. Unfortunately doing so meant I got very cold and by the time I got back it was dark and I was shivering. I was pretty lucky really, my left leg is quite bruised but the grazes aren't too big or deep. And you're spared photos of the best one as it's on my bum...


So, what have I learnt?
- Just because it's not icy at home doesn't mean it's not icy in the Peak
- Take gear with you for the ride that might happen, not only for the one you plan
- If it's icy, go mountain biking instead!

Nothing I didn't know, but a good reminder...

Comments

  1. fell running guide11 January 2013 at 01:59

    Ouch! Glad you're ok. Think I know where you mean, there's some big potholes there too which are pretty dicey.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Kinder Killer

Image
After a successful and beautiful early-morning 3 hour outing last weekend without much more than a little niggle of the adductor pain I've been struggling with for a month or so, I decided to up the ante this weekend. Ox Stones sunrise last weekend One of the many fantastic things about Dark Peak Fell Runners is the wealth of experience in the club, so when you fancy a hilly 30-ish mile route to make your Sunday more interesting, a quick visit to the DPFR facebook page or website will give you a few options. I decided on the "Kinder Killer", a route invented by K Jones and currently marketed by Ian Winterburn. The idea is similar to another classic route, the Kinder Dozen, involving a zig-zaggy loop of Kinder Scout, alternately visiting the plateau and the surrounding valleys. There are seven climbs as opposed to the (obvs) 12 of the Dozen, but the Killer route is different and I think slightly longer overall. Ian also suggested that it's a nicer route, so I too...
Read more

100km review - Scott Supertrac Ultra RC

Image
The Supertrac Ultra RC is the newest shoe from Scott. I'm a very lucky boy and was allowed a pair to try for a month before they go on sale (from 18th July you can get a pair from Accelerate ). I promised to write a full review after 100km... I've actually run closer to 200 in them, so it's time I got typing! A few highlights from one month with the Supertrac Ultra RC 16th June: Discovery Oooh lovely new shoes. At this stage they were very secret and had to be camouflaged. I didn't actually run in them, but they score highly on looking pretty. 17th June: First Run Not really long enough to fully test them, but straight out of the box they felt really comfortable, with good grip on dry rock and plenty of cushioning. And they do look nice. 22nd June: First proper long run A very hot evening, beautiful weather. Bob Graham leg 1 supporting Kirk Hardwick as part of the Dark Peak machine. The shoes were great, comfy on the road and trail up out of Keswick, pl...
Read more

Tried a Winter Bob Graham...

Image
So, my winter BG plan didn't quite come off as I'd hoped... but it tested my feelings about running and I can confirm I'm still in love. I've been keen to have a go at a winter BG for a long time, and this season seems to have been popular for attempts, possibly inspired by Jim Mann's completion of all three rounds last winter. This deservedly won him the FRA Long Distance award - congratulations Jim. Among others this winter has seen Kim Collison complete a fast round in 20:36, and Ally Beavan attempting (and getting so close to completing!) a solo unsupported round a few weeks ago. It is this solo unsupported on-your-own approach that appeals to me. One of the things I like about long-distance running is the feeling of being out somewhere on your own, possibly in the dark, probably with some weather, and almost certainly lost (if you're me) but remaining in control. In a world of constant interaction with other people I like that rare moment of "It...
Read more