My first major spill on the trail. Analysis of an avoidable fall.

"It was going to happen sooner or later" - This was what my friend, JD, said when he caught up with me on the downhill stretch of rough road, leading towards the   Timberland Heights  gate.  I was sprawled all over the trail. My bike's rear wheel still caught in the rut that I had been trying to avoid.  " Good thing it happened now, towards the end of the ride." he added. I actually agreed with him 100%.  We were coming to the end of a 3 hour exploratory ride. Taking the Maarat - Timberland trail and seeing if we could ride all the way to Marcos Hiway towards Forest Hills. This was my third off-road ride and I was just happily buzzing along.

on the way:

It was a stupid endo that could have been avoided. First, by NOT going sooo damn fast. But the thrill and the air rushing past was exhilarating. One couldn't seem to NOT WANT to go fast…. Second, making sure you knew what lay ahead is important. If you do not OR cannot see around the curve, SLOW down. Mixing the front and rear brakes - alternating so the tires were just starting to skid, and then releasing would have been okay on a regular graded road, but this part of  trail was just too uneven for any real traction -  to keep total control of the bike. Seemed like the rains earlier in the week had run little deeep ravines in them. And hey! the thrill of shooting down that hill was just too addicting and I did try to control the speed - unfortunately for me - the newbie in the group. My first ride down that Timberland trail, was just an accident waiting to happen. And it did.

When I came around the corner, I saw the uneven surface and the deep rut on the right side of the trail. I tried to steer the bike towards the left side, where the track seemed more even and with less rocks. But my speed was just a bit too fast and applying more brakes was out of the question. Too late. Tried to do the next best thing or so I thought. Go over the obstruction. I got to lift the front wheel but somehow didn't have enough bounce, to get the rear wheel through and over- and the rut just grabbed it! It was as if some giant's hand grabbed the wheel and shook me off. Next thing I knew, I was all over the trail. My knee aching and I had hit my ankle as well on something. Probably a rock.  Just had enough time to shake off the spots and pour some of my precious water to clean up the cuts, before the other riders caught up.  Well, another good reason we were ending the ride -  I could use as much water as I could to clean up the wounds.

Thank goodness I had my helmet and my paintball gloves on. Or else, the bruises and cuts would have been much worse. So now it was just one bleeding knee and an ego, smarting more than the knee. Specially, when my other friend's 14 yr. old son came by.  The 3 of them were just smiling. I guess they've all been through similar situations.

So, thats what happens when one falls down from a mountain bike at say, 17 or was it 27 kmph!  But boy was it fun!!  Although there was another bit of downhill to pursue - now all cement - it was still a thrill thinking about zipping down.  Well now the air rushing all over the bleeding knee kept my finger on the brakes, just a tad longer. Now, I know why those down-hillers come with knees and elbows protected!  Another item on my "to get" list.

The last 5 min downhill rush was soo anti-climatic. Adrenalin was still pumping when we got to Ka Tobias' store where the other bikers were having drinks and cooling off.  But I had to focus on re-washing my wounds, wipe off the mud and dirt.  And thank goodness too for Betadine!  The smarting is still there, 2 Days later. But the thrill of that downhill rush is still there as well. Kinda overcomes the pain on the knee. But my hand and ankle are also starting to ache. So I just might have to visit another doctor friend and see what else I've managed to damage. 

But you know what, I cant wait to get back on that trail and do it all over again!  Minus the spill this time.