Ouch

Rode for just over 2 hours today on Kew and Richmond Boulevard.  I'm surprised I managed to last that long.  My back hurts, I couldn't breathe deeply or turn my head very well. 

I'd like to race tomorrow but I just don't think I'll be safe.

Stay on the trail stupid

Well, quite an eventful morning on the mtb today.  If any of my family are reading this I am A-Ok and I will be on a bike again tomorrow.

I was riding the Yarra trails with JP and CV around Fairfield, it was such a nice morning.  JP and CV took off to ride at their own pace and we agreed they'd catch me on the way back.  They are fast, they got to the end and turned around before I was much more than half way through the section.  I was having a good morning, not totally enjoying the bar mounted light as I couldn't see around the corners but I was feeling safe and riding pretty well.

When the boys caught me CV rode first so I could see with his light as well as mine (my light is really bright, it was just the corners that were not so great) and JP was coaching me from behind.

We came to a bit of an incline that I've ridden up a few times before but about half way up I realised I was in the wrong gear and weighted wrong and the front wheel started lifting.  I shifted my weight but the wheel hit a rock and I bounced off it rather than over it as I wasn't going fast enough.

To my left it was straight up and to my right a very steep drop off with the river a long way below. 

In slow motion I felt my weight shift the wrong way and my bike tilt to the right.  I put my foot out but there was no ground so fell.  I hit the ground a fair way below the trail and then rolled a number of times (felt like 6) before I came to a stop just before the edge into the river.  I heard JP say 'oh no.  ow, ow, ow, ow, ow' as I rolled.

I called out to JP and CV that I was ok and then sat up.  Hey?  Where's my bike?  Oh no, in the river, floating away from me.  Luckily the lights were still working, so I could see where it was.  CV came down to the water and some kayakers pushed it towards him where the both of us could lift it out and up the cliff.

I know I'm lucky that I didn't hurt myself at all. 

I got right back on the bike and rode for another hour.  Adrenaline was major.  Now that it's worn off, I'm bruised and scratched.

Thanks to JP for taking the photos.

The trail.  See the slightly flat rock where there's the split in the log?  That's all it took.

I left the trail where this photo was taken and came to a stop where I'm standing.  The edge of the grass is the drop off to the river.  Close!

Thanks CV for coming to my bike's rescue before it floated away forever. That's him fishing it out down there.

Safe at the top.  Bit of a drop between the trail and where the ground is hey?  The rock is up behind where CV is.

Safe at breakfast.

Running was never this exciting.



Sandown

Gotta love a commissaire who says he'll hook me up.  I'm loving racing at Sandown, such a friendly crew and I'm learning heaps.

I did heaps better today.  Hung in for 4 3/4 laps and when I did pop, I worked to catch up to another 2 people and rode around with them for the rest of the race.

So much easier to ride together rather than alone.

Lotsa riding

First time ride coordinator for the Wed women's ride to Black Rock return from Racer.  I kept the pace up and focussed on keeping the bunch safe.  It took alot of concentration but I got everybody back safely and a few people said it was a good ride.

After work I drove up to Hans Loop to meet Gavin.  We did one loop together and then rode some fire road trails to loosen my legs up. I got around alot more than usual, and at least when my legs were shaking it was because of effort not fear.

Was great to hang out with Gavin, I don't know anybody who has such a genuine joy for life as him.  He's always happy and so much fun to be around.

Knowledge

I rode with the beginner women at St Kilda this morning.  It was a sketchy, surgy (is that a word?) ride and it didn't feel safe to be on the wheel of most of the people there.

Liz does a fantastic job of keeping people safe and out of trouble, she was working hard today.  I found myself paired next to a chick who was doing some strange things, I asked her if she was ok and she said it was her first time in a bunch and she had no idea what was going on. 

I gave her some of the advice that people have given me and I was surprised to find that I know more than I think I do. 

I'm hosting the Wed ride tomorrow morning so today was a good recce for that.

Crits and Rollers

SKCC crit this morning and my only goal was to give everything I have in an effort to string the bunch out and see if I could get a breakaway.

I did give everything, I didn't get the break and I spent the rest of the race deep in the hurtbox.  Ended up in 7th place after clawing back a couple of places.

I went to Bikefest and ran into the Brunswick crew who encouraged me to give the roller racing a go.  It was super awesome fun!

I've had a few

I sent this text to Neil this morning. " I could not get myself out of bed when the alarm went off at 4.30.  Missed my ride.  Now I have regret."