A Winter Tale

December 6, 2008

 

With the sun on full this Saturday I decided it would be a good day for a winter spin. It was quite cold the night before (-4 C), the cat was stuck on us all night like a limpet. The day promised a balmy +4 C, it was time to ride. My kitting up took more time than I thought. Bib shorts, thermals (top & bottom), tights, long sleeve base layer, winter jersey, neck warmer, skull cap, gloves, cycle socks, wool socks, overshoes and shades. I was an overstuffed sausage (Pork and Lycra) but ready to go none the less. I even managed to put my arms down, unlike poor little Ralphie's brother in the classic film "A Christmas Story". In the film a little boy's mother puts so many layers of clothes on her son to go to school that he can't see or even put his arms down. I think the remark about "preparing for deep sea diving" was quite apt. Anyway, the mother says "you can put your arms down when you get to school". Anyone who grew up in the great white north can sympathize.

 

I had a really nice ride out into Shropshire enjoying the sun. No wind but the roads was awfully wet. About 25 km from home, I saw black ice on the tarmac ahead. The ice crystals were gleaming at me like the Sirens of Sirenum scopuli. By the time I said "Oh Sh-" I was on the deck! Ouch. A genetic mutation of Lance Armstrong and Olga Korbut couldn't have kept my bike vertical. I took the full force on my hip, hand and shoulder. Why oh why does this always happen the absolute furthest from home? I was literally at the half way point! I stared into the blue sky assessing the damage with one foot still clipped onto the bike. Nothing broken, relief. I gathered my self upwards for a better look, adrenaline course through my veins. Nothing too major, just sore all along my right side, in particular my hip and elbow. Having three layers on saved me some serious road rash. The only visible damage was small tears in my glove and overshoes.

 

Being in the middle of nowhere my next concern was for the bike. Both tires were true and inflated. Only a slight bend on my handle bars and STI's. Both of these problems were easily fixed on the road. At least I had transport. Feeling totally paranoid about ice, I set off on a slow hobble, not wanting to risk another episode. After about 30 minutes of walking and very slow un-clipped riding, I managed to get to my return roads, which I knew were ice free.

 

Once at home I dosed up on some cycling candy (ibuprofen), washed/repaired my bike, got some hot food and hit the showers. Once in the shower I saw a nice bit of bloody road rash on my arm. The strange thing is, there was no tearing or ripping in either my jersey or base layer. How this happened I don't' know, comments please.

 

The lesson for the day was 1) don't ride the day after a heavy night frost, when in doubt stay home. 2) 25 mm wet tires have 0 grip on icy tarmac, you will fall. 3) Several layers of clothing are a good thing. 4) Having a dedicated winter bike is well worth it, if it had been my Madone, I would have been in tears. 4) Red wine and a hot bath cures all fall related ills.

 

Chuck

 

p.s. 5 falls since 2005 only 1 trip to hospital.