Two Wheel Blogs

Went out for the typical romp at Binder. No CX racing for me. I had to work yesterday, and well, I just didn't feel all that great today. I did feel like a little off road riding though.

Met up with G-wiz for a basic ride. Things were not going well, but not bad either. We were on the return trip and crossing a log pile I have cleaned about a thousand times. It is not even worthy of a photo, or mentioning in previous posts...but as logs rot it gets tougher I guess.

That was when it happened. I approach at moderate speed. Pull a manual as I approach. Wait for the rear end to touch the first log and that is when I shift the momentum forward. At this point I usually do a little hop and shift the angle of attack to a nose dive and catch the transition for the landing on the backside of the pile.

There I am airborne and notice that the landing is wicked. A rotten log has caved in and even though the 29er wheel is larger, the gap created is large enough for my wheel to hang up. I shift my weight back in an instant to unweight the front in efforts to float over the gap....no use, as my weight shifts back the rear cases the top log on the pile and rebounds me forward again. Now the front wheel augers in. Lets recap: front wheel moving down and planting solidly, rear wheel on its way up, body moving forward, bike stopped and rotating about a pivot located near the stem.

That was when I really took flight. Looked like Superman, I suppose. I have no idea what thoughts processed at that point. I would like to say that I had sense to tuck and roll, but I think inertia took over. I know that my left hand and right forearm planted before my head hit. Then I felt myself flip over and I actually feared rupturing my hydro-pack. Then I noticed my bike flipping towards me...yup it landed on me.

I sat still and waited for the stars to stop flashing in my eyes.

All told, I was fine, and my bike was unharmed (completely). I must conclude that my bike is nearly perfect. This was a hard hit, but nothing broke. The brake levers didn't even need to be moved back into place. Yup, the bike is stronger, faster, and just plain better than me! As it should be. Sometimes people laugh at my bike, but until we crash because of it, instead of me, I must conclude that the bike is fine, and its rider needs the upgrades!