Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Spring Has Sprung

700x23c tires pumped to 120 psi on a svelte single speed feels like lightning after slogging through snow and ice on the fat bike all winter.  Me evening began with a speedy ride on my road bike on the lovely Chester Creek trail that lies just out my back door and snakes it's way across the city.

 I was thoroughly enjoying the ice free pavement.

Spinning as fast as I could, leaning into turns, grinning ear to ear.

All of a sudden I'm airborne; staring down at the pavement, feet rising over my head; bike is inverted.
This can't be good.

Endo.

Abrupt speed-bump in the middle of the path, directly after a fast sweeping corner, unmarked.



This is surprisingly accurate approximation of what happened.:





Flew 6ish feet, slid a few more, left side of my body took all the impact; my bike was still attached to my feet, and rag-dolled with me.
Gathered my thoughts, no broken bones. Can't move my left arm, blood pooling in my elbow, shoulder and hip;  heavy limp. 

Brittle aluminum frame and carbon fork intact.  Both wheels bent to hell. 

Was on my way to Alaska Leather  to sell some bike parts. 
Not thinking clearly, I limped the busted bike another 3 miles to the motorcycle apparel shop, where I was greeted with a handful of Advil and a cold Sierra Nevada; trading stories for the next hour of two wheeled carnage with the girls behind the counter.  

Talked Alaska Leather into setting up a cup-cake stand for all the bike commuters this Friday!

Made $40 toward my upcoming Iceland / Spain Tour.

Not a horrible night, all things considered.  Not sure if I'll be able to bike to work tomorrow.  



2 comments:

  1. Ouch!
    Towed Coen down Chester Creek over the weekend.
    Looking at the giant cracks running lengthwise down the trail I was imagining how badly one could go down were you to wedge a skinny tire in there.
    Sounds like one should keep an eye out for the speed bumps and frost heaves too.

    Glad you're okay.

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  2. I'm feeling much worse today; may warrant a trip to the Dr.

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