Sometime around 2003 I parked at the visitor centre carpark at the top of Sutton Bank (North Yorks Moors) for a cheeky loop with a mate on my way home.
Took bike from car boot.
Refitted front wheel.
Set off to ride down Sutton Bank (approx 1:4).
Realise about 100m down the road that I’d omitted to reconnect the front V brake.
Attempt (not very successfully) to scrub off some speed with rear brake.
Opt to take the left turn into the woods at the apex of the 1st hairpin bend and mentally prepare myself for trying to negotiate a very narrow gap to the side of the vehicle gate at considerable speed.
Discover that the telegraph pole vehicle gate that’s usually in place just inside the turnoff has been left open by some helpful forestry worker.
Eventually stop some way into the woods and refit front brakes.
I’ve been carrying out almost obsessive checking of my bikes whenever they’ve been unloaded from vehicles ever since.