Riding the Metro
11-07-2007, 06:01 PM
Date: Nov. 4, 2007
Time: Appox. 2 P.M.
Location: San Felipe Wash, Badlands, Ocotillo Wells, 10 miles SE of Ridersonline base camp
Temp: 85-90 degrees
Conditions: Calm and clear
.....ok, there goes Jeff, passing me on the left. I gotta get of of his dust. I'll just back off a bit, no that's not working cause the wind isn't blowing.
Bob, on the quad is leading to catch some clean air for a change. He's been at mid pack all afternoon. Paul is next followed by myself till Jeff passed a second ago.
.....gas it...passing Jeff on the right, clean pass, all is good.....then it happened!
Art, Art where does it hurt? urgh urgh wheeze wheeze..."chest".....
What can I do, says Jeff......"shade", I murmur.
I lay there for what seemed like an eternity in absolute pain, motionless, face full of dirt and sand.
"I'll be right back. I don't want the rest of the group to run you over", I hear from Jeff even though I could not see him.
Next thing I know the rest of the group arrives and are shading me with their bodies as I lay there on my back like an turtle.
I have no idea how much time has passed when I asked for help getting to my feet. I roll over on all fours to evaluate my condition. I'm gently helped to my feet by Jeff and ? and escorted to a shaded spot at the edge of the wash.
"let see, everything is pointed in the right direction, no blood or broken bones"...good sign. But man I hurt!
As best as I can recall, (and that's not saying much) I plowed the front wheel into the soft sand, figuratively speaking, after making the pass on Jeff. I believe the front wheel became aloft as I accelerated and came down exactly the wrong place. I swapped twice, once to the right then back to the left. According to my body, head and helmet, I fell with full impact on my chest followed by my head and right shoulder.
I was wearing the Leatt Brace and quite sure the much of the impact of my head was absorbed by the brace and redirected downwards to my upper body. As you can see by the photo, my helmet received a good blow.
Damage done, besides my body were: hairline crack of Renthal ProTaper bars, busted helmet visor and tweaked front end. I got off pretty lucky considering the speed I was carrying.
....."I'm good enough to ride out", I say to the group. Jeff says "take off, were right behind you".
I begin to slowly navigate the twisty wash. Darn, I'm all over the place. Bike is tweaked badly and I'm still shaken up. I finally catch up to Bob and the washes end. I do not want to stop but think it's best.
The rest of the group arrives shortly. "You ok, Art?" asks Jeff, "uh huh, don't wanna stop and get cold". "Ok, take off" he says.
I look back at see Paul watching me like a hawk. Thank you Paul. we get to the hwy and stop. Paul instructs me to stay put. "I going back a 1/4 mile or so to flag the upcoming group". I nod yes. Shortly he returns and says it's a go to take the hwy back to base. "See you there" and off I go.
Moral of story?
Take your Leatt Brace and good buddies riding with you. Both are invaluable!
Art
CRASH TEST DUMMY'S HELMET
http://home.comcast.net/~a.jurado/onlinestorage/bell_helmet1.jpg
Time: Appox. 2 P.M.
Location: San Felipe Wash, Badlands, Ocotillo Wells, 10 miles SE of Ridersonline base camp
Temp: 85-90 degrees
Conditions: Calm and clear
.....ok, there goes Jeff, passing me on the left. I gotta get of of his dust. I'll just back off a bit, no that's not working cause the wind isn't blowing.
Bob, on the quad is leading to catch some clean air for a change. He's been at mid pack all afternoon. Paul is next followed by myself till Jeff passed a second ago.
.....gas it...passing Jeff on the right, clean pass, all is good.....then it happened!
Art, Art where does it hurt? urgh urgh wheeze wheeze..."chest".....
What can I do, says Jeff......"shade", I murmur.
I lay there for what seemed like an eternity in absolute pain, motionless, face full of dirt and sand.
"I'll be right back. I don't want the rest of the group to run you over", I hear from Jeff even though I could not see him.
Next thing I know the rest of the group arrives and are shading me with their bodies as I lay there on my back like an turtle.
I have no idea how much time has passed when I asked for help getting to my feet. I roll over on all fours to evaluate my condition. I'm gently helped to my feet by Jeff and ? and escorted to a shaded spot at the edge of the wash.
"let see, everything is pointed in the right direction, no blood or broken bones"...good sign. But man I hurt!
As best as I can recall, (and that's not saying much) I plowed the front wheel into the soft sand, figuratively speaking, after making the pass on Jeff. I believe the front wheel became aloft as I accelerated and came down exactly the wrong place. I swapped twice, once to the right then back to the left. According to my body, head and helmet, I fell with full impact on my chest followed by my head and right shoulder.
I was wearing the Leatt Brace and quite sure the much of the impact of my head was absorbed by the brace and redirected downwards to my upper body. As you can see by the photo, my helmet received a good blow.
Damage done, besides my body were: hairline crack of Renthal ProTaper bars, busted helmet visor and tweaked front end. I got off pretty lucky considering the speed I was carrying.
....."I'm good enough to ride out", I say to the group. Jeff says "take off, were right behind you".
I begin to slowly navigate the twisty wash. Darn, I'm all over the place. Bike is tweaked badly and I'm still shaken up. I finally catch up to Bob and the washes end. I do not want to stop but think it's best.
The rest of the group arrives shortly. "You ok, Art?" asks Jeff, "uh huh, don't wanna stop and get cold". "Ok, take off" he says.
I look back at see Paul watching me like a hawk. Thank you Paul. we get to the hwy and stop. Paul instructs me to stay put. "I going back a 1/4 mile or so to flag the upcoming group". I nod yes. Shortly he returns and says it's a go to take the hwy back to base. "See you there" and off I go.
Moral of story?
Take your Leatt Brace and good buddies riding with you. Both are invaluable!
Art
CRASH TEST DUMMY'S HELMET
http://home.comcast.net/~a.jurado/onlinestorage/bell_helmet1.jpg