Thwack!BASH!

Oh yes, it was a long time coming. I cant really believe I actually thought I was a good enough rider to avoid serious injury. I suppose my first warning shot was a few months previously when I binned it on a quick, off-camber hairpin and disappeared into the bracken with my bike landing on top of me.

I guess its all down to confidence- over confidence as it turned out. A fearlessness that turned to complacency. A cockiness that bought me a broken arm down at Swinley Forest.
The worst part? it wasn't even that difficult a section! I've ridden more testing pieces of trail at Afan, Cwmcarn, the Mendips and even locally around Leigh Woods and Ashton Court. Honestly, I was going too fast on a trail I had never ridden 'Tally-ho chaps! Follow me!! Thwack!BASH!' -it was a rookie error full of bravado and little else. A lapse of concentration? a rut? a root? maybe. A missed line, a messy tumble... So, having used my arm and head to slow my fall I suffered a radial fracture, a cracked helmet and some serious whiplash. The memory still makes me cringe.

Moving on, when i first drafted this I was off the bike with another 5 or 6 weeks until i could look at a bike again. So now, I've bought some body armour and have many good rides under my belt. My confidence is growing and Im more able to push myself within my limits. This started off as a kind of 'Wear a helmet' type gush, but its now, oh i don't know, maybe a 'Pay attention' rant... no, more of a ' Let the local go first' essay!

All I can think about is how much time was wasted whilst I wasn't on the bike.
Keep 'em peeled.

by Mr Angell