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view the slide show | back to portfolio | back to deepbrook home - by Jeff Dieffenbach | email me at dieffenbach @ alum.mit.edu |
For most of the ride, Shannon led, it being her home turf, and her being the superior mountain biker
(okay, full disclosure--she's probably the superior road cyclist as well).
For whatever reason, towards the end of the ride, I was leading with Shannon behind but in sight.
On a slight uphill grade, I needed to climb what was in effect two low but relatively long rock steps. Having made it up the first step, I found myself with my weight too far forward. As a result, my pedal stroke gained me no rear traction and I came to a standstill. Normally, stopped is good. Even clipped in, stopped is normally not a problem. This time, not normal. To my right, less than a foot from my shoulder, a boulder extended well above my head, making a perfect surface against which to gently steady myself. Naturally, I fell left, unable to unclip. Okay, to be more accurate, I did in fact unclip. My right foot. Which is of little use when falling left. Unfortunately for me (but good entertainment for Shannon), on my left was a 45 degree "ramp" of rocks dropping 10 feet to a stream. The photo at left fails to do this ramp justice. Trust me, the creek you see is a lot farther down than it looks. Down I went, the bike now above me. I "expertly" rolled (head down) onto first my left and then right shoulders, managing not to crush the camera in my jersey pocket but nonetheless taking off several patches of skin. My fall was halted by the stream, which was wet as I entered it headfirst. Damage to me: 3 pronounced abrasions across my shoulder blades, plus a bruised left forearm for good measure. Damage to the (borrowed) bike: bent rear derailleur hanger, fixable to finish the ride (albeit with only limited use of the rear gears) but ultimately needing some minor repair. (Thank you, Shannon's Local Bike Shop, for doing said repair at no charge.) I'm told it looked pretty cool, slow motion as it was! |