OK, OK, before someone else (Vader) comes along to tell you all I decided to lay my bike down for a short rest, I'll come clean.
It was a low speed spill - all my fault. I was heading along this lovely country lane, enjoying the ride, when I suddenly realised I need to do a sharp right turn. I braked heavily but over shot the turn, then, stupidly, decided to make it anyway. About 2 1/2 feet of the left side of the road was 3 inches deep in mud, crud, decomposing leaves and twigs and who knows how much animal shit? So into I skidded into it and decided I'd lie down and wait for the others (slowcoaches).
The crash bars once again saved the day.
Lord Vader managed to wipe the grin from his face just long enough to pick the bike off my leg and we soon had it righted and were on our way again - we need to get back to Ryka's urgently so Vader could phone Chad and the pair could have a joke at my expense. Chad insisted I was using my GPS and Gameboy, which was why I'd come off. Bloody good score I got.
Anyway, the route we took proved a success. There was one really narrow track that was running with surface water and was well-pitted. That produced a few bottom-clenching moments - which made it all the more annoying to have stayed upright throughout all those and come off on an easy corner.
The route we took is here (in yellow)
I came off at the far left, top right hand bend.
We had a laugh though and it was good to see new boy Rob (Evansr) out with us on his well-sprung Varadero.
As you can see, Lord Vader is still laughing (even behind that half-hearted attempt at a beard).
Then, as we left, the sun came out and I had to stop on the way home to remove a layer and put my summer gloves on.
As for injuries, my thumb hurts (nearly as much as my pride).
It was a low speed spill - all my fault. I was heading along this lovely country lane, enjoying the ride, when I suddenly realised I need to do a sharp right turn. I braked heavily but over shot the turn, then, stupidly, decided to make it anyway. About 2 1/2 feet of the left side of the road was 3 inches deep in mud, crud, decomposing leaves and twigs and who knows how much animal shit? So into I skidded into it and decided I'd lie down and wait for the others (slowcoaches).
The crash bars once again saved the day.
Lord Vader managed to wipe the grin from his face just long enough to pick the bike off my leg and we soon had it righted and were on our way again - we need to get back to Ryka's urgently so Vader could phone Chad and the pair could have a joke at my expense. Chad insisted I was using my GPS and Gameboy, which was why I'd come off. Bloody good score I got.
Anyway, the route we took proved a success. There was one really narrow track that was running with surface water and was well-pitted. That produced a few bottom-clenching moments - which made it all the more annoying to have stayed upright throughout all those and come off on an easy corner.
The route we took is here (in yellow)
I came off at the far left, top right hand bend.
We had a laugh though and it was good to see new boy Rob (Evansr) out with us on his well-sprung Varadero.
As you can see, Lord Vader is still laughing (even behind that half-hearted attempt at a beard).
Then, as we left, the sun came out and I had to stop on the way home to remove a layer and put my summer gloves on.
As for injuries, my thumb hurts (nearly as much as my pride).