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[Closed] Close call, only luck saved me

bikesandboots · 2021-06-30T23:29:30Z

The only place I feel able to get this out in full is here. Please bear with me and be nice, I'm in do doubt how stupid I was or how lucky I am. I'm not looking for anything in particular, I just need it out, and maybe it'll help just one person who reads it. Recently I suddenly found myself upside down in a rocky trickling stream, alone, with my bike on top of me, my head inches from several rocks in every direction, my helmet on the bank (having fallen off the back of my rucksack), wearing zero other protection, on a quiet trail in a remote valley, several miles from help, with no mobile phone signal. After getting up without much trouble, taking a few minutes to settle down and process what had just happened, I checked myself and the bike over and walked/rode back (met one biker coming in my direction, I'll forever remember his face) to my car and drove home. Picked up a minor limb injury, nothing compared to what could have been. I was very, very lucky. I've never been remotely that close, and it took me a few days to stop thinking about it too much. My small mistake was to catch a pedal in a rut, while climbing almost flat grassy ground at walking pace. Momentum stopped, there was nowhere for my foot to go down, and over and down I went. On any other bit of trail than this 2m stream crossing it would have been no issue. Put that down to rider error, a bit of tiredness, and complacency - I'd just descended the same bit earlier on and was now returning. But my big mistake was not wearing my helmet. I'd taken it off because it was hot and I'd been pushing for a while earlier and anticipated to be pushing again soon after. I'd long considered this kind of nightmare scenario and was prepared for it. Had a convertible helmet with crash sensor, knee pads, elbow pads, protector backpack, first aid kit, emergency bivvy, whistle. And had let someone know my route, although not an expected time of return. The piece of the puzzle that failed was me, for a short period which happened to be the wrong period. I'll be making several changes to my natural riding as a result of this death scare (maybe that sounds alarmist but it's how I feel right now). Helmet will be worn at all times while riding, pushing, or carrying the bike. It's too easy to forget before entering that wrong 2m of trail, and you're just not as sure-footed on/with a 15kg bike and flat shoes. Chin bar will be worn more often and I'll learn to get it on and off without taking the helmet off. Route plans need to factor in escape path and distance. Timing needs to avoid being in remote areas past mid-afternoon. Routes need decision on appropriateness to go solo. Solo rides need regular communication and expected timing. Natural rides need to be further within my endurance limit so as to be less tired. Weather needs checking for being too hot. Whistle needs to be clipped on backpack strap. Need shoes with better off-bike grip for winter. Trail features need planning of not just "can I do it" but also "what if I don't". Take care, and don't end up how I did.

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tjagain

Posts: 44789

Full Member

Even I almost never carry a helmet. If I have one with me its on my head

Posted : 02/07/2021 1:47 pm

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