The Kiss of Death.

Date : 22nd May 2010
Riders : Mick & Simon
Area : Swinley

Well, the forecast for the weekend was great, in fact it was promising to be a bit too great so Mick and I decided we would go for a nice early start on Saturday morning to avoid the scorching midday temperatures that the weather people were predicting.

So by 8:00 we were both at the car park and ready to ride. We decided to go away from the normal routes so headed off in search of some new trails. This proved harder than we had first anticipated and soon we were back on the more usual trails. So after completing “Tank Trap” we then headed to star point No. 5 where we decided we would head over to the far back of Swinley and see what tracks were on old MOD training area. Not a lot to be found in the area but we did get some miles under our belts with some steep climbs. We eventually came to the top of “Labyrinth” where we only ride the first section and then head back up to the reservoir to pick up some more single track on the way back to star point 5 again. From there we picked up two more bits of single track before heading home for a cup of tea and a bacon roll.

Whilst on our way back we were discussing riding preferences (Downhill and jumps Vs Single track) we both agreed that the single track was more our cup of tea. Mick then went onto explain that he was always wary of the risky stuff as he was self employed and couldn’t afford to be off work with a cycling injury. He had a very close call on the previous Wednesday night ride when he lost the front end on a tight berm and ended up on the deck luckily with no major injuries. I agreed totally with this view given the injuries I have had over the last year.

I think this conversation must have been the “Kiss of Death” for me because as we approached the car park on the last fire road I took the sweeping left turn and caught a load of loose gravel under the front wheel which took the bike from under me. I hit the deck like the proverbial “sack of shit” and ended up sliding along the loose gravel with the bike. At first I wasn’t quite sure what hurt the most, my Knee from the gravel of my shin from where two teeth from my chain set had punctured it right on the bone. Then it became more apparent were the real pain was coming from – my left hand. After a few minutes with my breath back and some very strong words of frustration I decided I was ready to get back on the stead and finish the last 100 metres back to the cars. It was at this point I realized I had a bit of a problem as I could not close my left hand to grip the bars so we ended up walking back to the cars.

Back in the car park Mick kindly dismantled my back and stuck it in the car as there was no way it would be going on the roof. We then headed over to the café for the refreshments and to closely examine the left hand which by now was about the size of a tennis ball. We both agreed that it may be advisable to seek a medical view as our engineering skills were not coming up with any real diagnosis. We sat for a bit longer admiring the scenery (well the sunshine does really bring it out) and then headed our separate ways.

On the way back home whilst trying to negotiate gear changes with a hand that was now the size of a grapefruit and through gritted teeth I made the dreaded call to the better half asking if she would mind dropping me off at casualty before we took the girls swimming. The call went far better than expected and she was even pleasant to me whilst on route to the hospital. In fact even the casualty staff were pleasant especially the casualty sister as she insisted that due to all the cuts on my legs I should have a tetanus. As she still had hold of my hand at this timeI agreed and she quickly administered it before I changed my mind.

I was then taken to xray and after a short wait I was called back into the consulting room by the still smiling casualty sister, before I had even got my bum on the seat she turned round and send “well you’ve done a fantastic job of breaking that bone” and boy when I looked at the xray she wasn’t lying. She then trussed me up like a oven ready chicken and sent me home to a still smiling wife.

It’s now Friday, I have seen 3 consultants over the last week , two NHS (which I won’t bore you with here) and one private hand consultant who has dealt with this type of fracture before. So this coming Tuesday I go under the knife for open reduction and fixation of comminuted metacarpal fracture with ligament reconstruction. In boy’s speak their going to pull the bones back together, straighten the knuckle and finger and pin the lot.

And before you ask. No, I am not going to sell the bike!!!

Andy's New Helmet (should have bought a full face)

Date : 20th May 2010
Riders : Grievous Andy
Area : Nutwood

Following last week's dent of pride, and head plant on Grievous Angel, I was still recovering from all the aches and pains which that fall generated. I also had a trip to purchase a new helmet to replace the one I used as a crash mat on my last outing.
New helmet in hand (or on head actually) I decided to venture out solo in order to see how all the aches and pains faired on the bike, but also to practice my drop offs. I had been running the drop off process over and over again in my head and was sure I'd mastered it... in my head!!!

So I got home early and headed off locally on my mini adventure, to Nutwood where Tom had told me there were a few jumps. I found the area easily and discovered a nice little practice zone containing jumps, drop offs, doubles, berms and very steep descents.... what a find!!!!

I found a nice little drop off to practice and sessioned it a number of times – driving the bike, not riding it! It;s a bit difficult on your own to see how far you fly, but there were some good feelings flowing during some of the drops – others were a little ropey, but practice makes perfect!!! Once I'd mastered this little drop off, I thought I'd get some more speed, so started higher up the trail. The difficulty was that the trail was not a straight line to the drop off, and by the time I'd reached it, I was out of position!! Flying through the air (or that's what ot felt like) I landed awkwardly, with the front wheel sliding out on me (again!!!). I slid, and my face decided to plant a tree branch – which had no intention of moving....

So – bloodied, and pride dented yet again, I headed home!!

Apart from that mishap, and the thought that maybe I should have bought a full face, to protect my boyish good looks (now gone for a burton!!!), this is a great little practice area – and local too. Thanks Tom.

The crash site

The culprit

Noooooo, not the face

Grevious Andy

Date: 13th May
Riders: Andy, AM Tom, Dave, Mark2, Rich
Location: Ranmore

An evening ride of anticipation - Tom because he finally has his Orange 5, resplendent in electric blue and for Andy as it is his first taste of the gnarly Ranmore trails. We muster at the Pilgrim, a deliberate move as we've all agreed this is a most excellent post-ride hostelry and cast envious glances at Tom's new steed as he explains the importance of his Hope upgrade package and braided hoses....

Up the Pilgrims Way to the top of Grevious Angel - we try to break the top section down into manageable chunks for Andy and Tom - first up the kicker and log jump into a tight left handed berm. All manage this, Tom with some style as the 5 demonstrates its AM capabilities.

Next up is the platform drop - now this is tricky, picture if you can a man made 3ft platform which drops onto a steep off camber slope, firing the rider down into a deep and steep berm. Mark, Dave and I who have ridden this a few times go first and then Tom makes a decent fist of it on his first attempt. Next up is Andy and as the pressure builds he refuses on the edge before walking back up for a second go. This time the commitment is there but not the speed or body position and he tips forward over the edge in slomo, landing smack on the top of his head. The bike catapaults forward, slamming into a tree and taking the full force on the handlebars. Andy is down and we're not even laughing, it looked that serious. He's hurt his nose and head but after a few minutes is ready to carry on.

We decide that the 2nd section of Grevious Angel should be left for another day and proceed up to Ranmore, across the open field and bridleways and then through some twisty fun singletrack which we discovered a couple of weeks ago. Onto the log pile section and across the road to Abba Zabba. Andy has recovered sufficiently to want to do the top bit twice and we then carry on down the steep roll ins. I come to grief on the final "round the tree" section, losing the line and ending up on the deck.

We then climb the road to the top of Reformation where Dave makes bold claims about doing the drop and double but is talked out of it by Mark2!

We tackle Numbskull, Blind Terror and the off camber end of Reformation before climbing back up again to do some extra bits.

Andy seems fully recovered and enjoys the technical challenges and we finish with the field bridleway and footpath route back to The Pilgrim in Dorking.

Refreshed by ale we fire up their patio heater and talk of upgrades and body armour!