Yesterday was a lovely cool morning and I set off for a quick ride. Up the hill to the cycle track, down the hill to the river. There is a curve around and on to the bridge.
I have
had an accident here before
(see: https://sillysocksonfriday.com/2016/09/18/bike-rides-in-the-burbs ) when it was dark and I narrowly missed a man and his dog and his other dog, but hit the third one, (thereby hangs a tail). Consequently, I always have a good scan of the wooden bridge which is visible through the trees.
The reason for this is I love speeding down the hill and swooping round the curve onto the bridge. The planks rattle and the occasional moorhen squawks and flees – exhilarating for a 65 year old!
All clear -no sign of movement – down I went, grinning with joy! I swooped round the corner and looked ahead…
What the…! You are going to die! At least it will be quick! WHUMP!!
I came round on the bridge planks under a tree and just wanted to lie the
re…
A tree which grew next to the bridge had fallen onto the bridge, lying lengthways along the walkway. That’s what I hit, like a parachutist hurtling into a forest, sideways.
After I realised I was too sore to be in heaven, I checked if I could move and got up with some difficulty from under the tree and on top of my bike. My head felt very thick and my back ribs were talking in very spiky language.
I managed to disentangle myself and the bike, replaced my helmet and set off back up the hill to home, which was about 600 yards away.
The resident nurse suggested I should go to hospital for a check-up and kindly drove me there.
X-rays showed no fracture and head scan no concussion (over 65 and loss of consciousness requires scan).
They prescribed painkillers (thank you thank you) and said I would be very sore, which was spot –on.
Strange – I had a bleeding scratch on my leg which they totally ignored.
Reasonably pleasant and efficient experience. Even the nurse who asked me which arm I wanted the tetanus injection in and I suggested hers.
Quite sore as bruised ribs can be but otherwise all well, if a bit older and wiser.
Talk about karma or serendipity or whatever … I hit the tree at the exact spot I had hit the third dog, three years before. And on my shamble back home who should I see in the park with his three dogs? You guessed it!
Lessons:
- I really thought I was going to die and was relieved it would be quick
- Bicycle helmets are fit for purpose – I have “tested” mine four times; flying over handlebars into solid items and not even been concussed!
- Never accelerate unless you can see the road ahead clearly
- It’s good to be alive!
sillysocksonfriday 
Your efforts to develop a friendship seem to be excessive, although you would have much to talk about. Dogs and bike accidents. Is the dog man a writer? That could be another mutual interest.
Send photo of bike, post accident
Mpunzane
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Huh?
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