OMR goes down! Updated 7/28 It had to happen sooner or later ... it's not a matter of if.... only when. My turn came today at the end of Vickie's Birthday Ride at SCST. Luckily, it happened at the latter part of the ride. There was a great group there today & I'm sure that John (KeepsWhatHappens) will be posting pics of the ride. It took place on Hardwood down in Dark Hollow... the trail has become very loose and the front tire washed out ... I tried to step out but unfortunately there was no place to go but fall 3 feet straight down into the ditch... where there was an inviting bush waiting... Cool, I thought....unfortunately under that bush was a 6-8" tree branch and I landed on it lower back first. Knocked the wind out of me and I thought I had broken some ribs... Debbie & Eric were quickly there while my head started to clear and the breath came back. At least I could take a deep breath but the back went into spasms at the slightest movement. The single track climb back out to the cars was agony but had to be done. Once back at the cars, I was able to put some ice on the lower back (thanks Beth!) and pass up a birthday lunch celebration at the Pizza Port in San Clemente...darn! After getting home and taking a shower (oh, did the hot water relax the back) After the Advil and cold packs, it really started to stiffen up. Now, not only do I look but feel very old! walking around all bent over. Don't think anything broken (I can take a deep breath without pain) and no blood in the urine (kidneys) but the lower left side back muscle is really traumatized (minimal swelling) and the lower back ribs are very sore... bruised. I've broken ribs before, these are not broken but extremely painful right now. The bitch about getting older is that it takes longer to heal & I have a feeling this is going to take a couple of weeks to start feeling normal again... time to get out the hiking shoes. At least there wasn't a mountain lion around ... interesting how life follows art.... :-s (Twighlight Zone sounds in the background)
Gregg - so sorry you went down and I apologize if I caused it in some way. (I was perched just above and off the trail and snapped Gregg's picture about 10 seconds before his crash) I am REALLY glad you didn't find your way onto that metal pole sticking out of the wooden beam. I think I'll be walking that section until some trail work is done there and that metal pole is cut off. We really missed you at Pizza Port. Hope you're feeling better soon.
Sorry to hear about the crash/injury, Elder Grasshopper. :-s With this sport we know and love, we ride a fine line between thrill and disaster sometimes... as you well know. Hope you're feeling better and able to ride soon!
Ouch, sorry to hear, old grasshopper! I hope you recover safely & quickly. Take it easy on yourself for a bit and tell your wife you need 3-a-day massages. P.S. I bet the hair maintained perfect form during your crash and after the fact.
No worries, mate.... my lawyer will be calling yours (JK) Entirely my fault for trying to ride that section without any momentum (too lose, needed speed) as a matter of fact.....
i was really hoping this was going to be more prose, something along the lines of "debbie does dallas". disappointing... get well fast.
Take care of what ails you and get well soon. It's always just a matter of time that we crash. Not if, but when. I'm overdue myself for a bike splat.
Are all your crashes over the edge crashes? Sir, you must be careful near those edges! R.I.C.E. rest, ice, cats & elevation. mmm..I forgot what 'c' is. Get well soon!
Sorry to here that you went down and I hope you feel better soon, but rest assured in the short history of that trail, it has claimed it share of victims already. Now heal up and ride that section like I've seen you ride it before......WITH SPEED. Smitty:beer:
