Headed out late aiming to miss the dog walkers, and pedestrians on the Trail.
In fact I was just reflecting on what a great ride, and fantastic workout it had been, when I hit the log, at speed...
Over the years, my notion of having an "actual Nemesis" has diminished somewhat. It's become a more diffuse resistance. The actual "thwarting of plans" has become mere obstacles en-route.
So its with some excitement that I am able to report bona-fida Nemesis like behaviour. Its not just paranoia, with evidence, and in the hurting flesh [Well it definitely affected my skin!]
When I "came around", it was almost dark, the bike was on top of me, with my leg entangled in the frame. My fist sensation, aside from hurting was the taste of blood.
The dogs from the nearby farm were going mad, so I presume it was a noisy business.
I guess that the events - "post log", didn't make it into long-term memory. The last thing I can recall, is seeing the log completely across the road, just before I hit it, and optimistically thinking [having no other choice], I wonder if I can go over this?
Answer: NO.
If it had been a bit further along , in what I call " no mans land" anything goes, and I would not have discounted the above so easily.
I ride more slowly there - expecting trouble, I have met burning wheelie bins, refrigerators scattered rubbish and smouldering cars. There are token attempts at blocking the trail with branch, or pulled down from the trees above, but they seem more opportunistic than planned. Oh, did I mention broken glass for days...
Felt pretty safe "throttling-up" in the area where this happened tho. It would be a supreme vanity to think it was directed at me [something I am prone too].
I guess that the events - "post log", didn't make it into long-term memory. The last thing I can recall, is seeing the log completely across the road, just before I hit it, and optimistically thinking [having no other choice], I wonder if I can go over this?
Answer: NO.
I can however break the log, at a speed of around 18mph, but not without some personal cost, and wheels no longer touching the ground.
It was actually the perfect spot for an ambush, around a slight bend, where the tree canopy from both sides makes for very gloomy conditions, compounded by the fading light - an absolute winner.
It definitely was not there when I wend down about an hour before - and just as a matter of note, I clear obstacles I come across on my way down, so I wont have to face them on the way back...
I stagger up to the farm wall about 50ft as they have exterior stable lights - and realise I have lost my glasses [again]. This makes self examination difficult.
Finding one's glasses, without the benefit of glasses using a flashing LED in the dark, should be an Olympic sport.
I also want to add, that I am always supremely confident that my glasses will be OK: Foresight and planning- and this has happened before...
It was actually the perfect spot for an ambush, around a slight bend, where the tree canopy from both sides makes for very gloomy conditions, compounded by the fading light - an absolute winner.
It definitely was not there when I wend down about an hour before - and just as a matter of note, I clear obstacles I come across on my way down, so I wont have to face them on the way back...
I stagger up to the farm wall about 50ft as they have exterior stable lights - and realise I have lost my glasses [again]. This makes self examination difficult.
Finding one's glasses, without the benefit of glasses using a flashing LED in the dark, should be an Olympic sport.
I also want to add, that I am always supremely confident that my glasses will be OK: Foresight and planning- and this has happened before...
The ultra-light, Shatter resistant, scratch-proof, photo chromatic lenses, with bifocals and Titanium frames, come at a pigs ransom but they are tough. The flaw with all this quite aerodynamic technology is that they fly pretty far after a shock.
I am happy to report, I won gold this time.
Left side took the brunt. Several layers of skin, presumably on the road, since its no longer on my person.
The usual "Gravel rash" but a swelling right temple [all skin present and correct] and lacerated palms, which stayed numb for a few days to-glove.
I am happy to report, I won gold this time.
Left side took the brunt. Several layers of skin, presumably on the road, since its no longer on my person.
The usual "Gravel rash" but a swelling right temple [all skin present and correct] and lacerated palms, which stayed numb for a few days to-glove.
[Note to self, carry more and bigger handkerchiefs]
So who could have done this dastardly act?
The log was too big and heavy - for kids, and shows uncommon intelligence for Teens in the area.
So who could have done this dastardly act?
The log was too big and heavy - for kids, and shows uncommon intelligence for Teens in the area.
If it had been a bit further along , in what I call " no mans land" anything goes, and I would not have discounted the above so easily.
I ride more slowly there - expecting trouble, I have met burning wheelie bins, refrigerators scattered rubbish and smouldering cars. There are token attempts at blocking the trail with branch, or pulled down from the trees above, but they seem more opportunistic than planned. Oh, did I mention broken glass for days...
Felt pretty safe "throttling-up" in the area where this happened tho. It would be a supreme vanity to think it was directed at me [something I am prone too].
I suspect it was the farmer, and actually aimed at the youngsters - who ride motorbikes, despite the Turnstiles, up and down the track.
I have previously seen him cutting branches - and they "somehow" made it onto the road by the time I came back. Nothing on this scale tho, and they could always be avoided - and then moved.
Today was the first day I have been able to go out and revisit, intending to take some photographs. ALL the evidence has been removed, not even pushed to the side, just gone.
I have previously seen him cutting branches - and they "somehow" made it onto the road by the time I came back. Nothing on this scale tho, and they could always be avoided - and then moved.
Today was the first day I have been able to go out and revisit, intending to take some photographs. ALL the evidence has been removed, not even pushed to the side, just gone.
A Nemesis with a guilty conscience perhaps?
The trip did pay off tho' - if only I had heeded the omens.
The picture is not staged at all, its as I found it , and as it has been for at least a week. After the turnstile is no-mans-land, and the wrecked bike is not warning cyclists about entering n-m-l, but leaving it! An effigy warning of things-to-come.
The picture is not staged at all, its as I found it , and as it has been for at least a week. After the turnstile is no-mans-land, and the wrecked bike is not warning cyclists about entering n-m-l, but leaving it! An effigy warning of things-to-come.Bye the way - all is well now, epidermis healing, there is no cause for alarm.
Maes
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