08/08/2008 - Road Rash
I was racing in a team relay at the weekend - it was a 3 lap race and it had been
raining earlier but it seemed to have dried out ok. The first lap I took the final
corner a bit too fast and nearly came acropper but managed to power out of the wobble.
I thought to myself 'I'll take that slower next time' so, the next time, I did take
it slower, but when I got back down onto my aero bars out of the bend, suddenly,
my handlebars whipped off to the left, and being on the aerobars I was powerless
to stop them! I flew over the handlebars and landed on my head and shoulder. It
all happened so quickly I wasn't quite sure what happened. All I remember is thinking
'thank god for the helmet' as I hit the ground. I jumped straight back up after
and got back on my bike. Being a team relay I didn't want to let the side down.
After finishing and inspecting my wounds I realised it was pretty bad. My helmet
was quite nicely cracked, I had road rash on my shoulder, face, ear, forearm, hands,
knee and ankle. I had also given both my knees and shoulder bashing as I came to
realise the next morning as I could hardly move. I am healing up nicely now though.
I am now told by my team mates there was a pothole on that corner, which may explain
my handlebars having a will of their own. You live and learn!
Caroline Harding, North London