Out of Action

You may have noticed that I haven’t been mountain biking, windsurfing or doing too many other slightly adventurous activities lately. Very much unlike me I know, but with some big triathlon races on my calendar I was not only training hard for them leaving little time for other recreation but I was doing my best to stay injury free too.

With the World Championships in London done and dusted my races for the season were done and I could finally have some time for more ‘recreational’ recreational activities again. No more structured training for a while, no more intervals and set distances to cover, no more targets to hit and times to aim for. I could just go out riding, running and swimming for the sake of it. I’d been surfing a couple of times, I’d been for one or two easy open water swim sessions, I’d done a night ride on my mountain bike and I’d taken Morgan surfing and mountain biking.

Yesterday, after helping clean the beach in preparation for the INTRtri Seaside Triathlon the following day, we all headed up to Pendam where Morgan and I set off on our mountain bikes for a loop of the Pendam Trail. The idea was for us to ride around the loop whilst Anna chilled and read her book in the car. Once back at the car, I left Morgan and Anna to drive home and I headed off into the hills to have a nice ride on my own and would head home from there.

The ride with Morgan went well and he set a number of Strava PB’s. Here’s his ride from Strava.

I then headed off, first with a quick loop around Llyn Blaenmelindwr and then out along the Syfyddrin Trail. I passed a large group of riders just after the first ford and then, rather than head to Nant y Moch turned left through another little ford and onto the Sidewinder section which then joins onto the Syfyddrin Trail again ready for the Bont Goch Descent. I didn’t go all the way to Bont Goch though, turning off right towards the mines at Cwm Cyneiniog. I was feeling good, the weather was just right, a little overcast but not too warm and not too cold. It was now time for a long climb up through the woodland towards the Nant y Moch road again and then across to Windy Gap and out towards Angler’s Retreat.

I then turned left to Llyn Conach and headed off down into Artists Valley via Als Descent. This had changed quite a bit since last time I rode it, but I guess that was quite some time ago. The top bits were much smoother than I remember and most of the gulleys have gone making it a lot easier. The second section seemed wider and smoother too and then the flat bit through the woods is now a flat bit through clear felled scrub.

Not far to go now, just some fire-road tracks into Artists Valley and then onto the road for a fast descent home, with one little wooded climb to finish. Once onto the tarmac descents speeds increased, I could see the road was clear of cars so I was hurtling along nice and relaxed at 25mph, I rounded a bend, just caught sight of a fallen branch in my path and instincts took over, I swerved to avoid it but lost control a little as I did, clipped the branched and lost control completely. It all happened in an instant but I was now hurtling towards the wire fence atop a grassy bank along the side of the road. Impact was imminent and there was nothing I could about it. I curled up as best I could aiming for what looked like a soft bit, but bounced off the road, up over my handlebars and then slammed into the fence before flying over the top of it and sliding down a rocky drop into the gorge below.

My bike was still on the road somewhere but I was at the bottom of a rocky drop lying there in pain. I quickly assessed the damage to myself. A couple of fingers were sore, my left arm was sore and my left leg was in agony. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get up let alone climb out of the gorge. I remember looking around and thinking, “I bet there’s no mobile reception here” as I continued to assess my injuries.

After a while I decided to try to get up and dust myself off and was just about able to stand. I couldn’t really use my left leg but found an easy way out of the gorge and half scrambled half crawled up over the mossy slope to the top. My bike was there in the middle of the road and 50 yds up the roads was the remnants of a smashed tree branch. I clambered over the fence, gathered my bike and sat on the side of the road for a while wondering whether I should try to get on my bike or phone for help.

In the end I checked my bike for damage. The bars were a little bent, a bar end cap was missing and the grips were messed up, a brake caliper was a little bent and my mudguard was hanging off but otherwise all looked OK. I straightened things out had one last check of myself and swung my leg over the bike and started coasting down the hill – this time at a much slower speed!

After half a mile or so I stopped again as everything was hurting quite a bit, re-gathered myself and headed off once again. As soon as the road sloped upwards a little I had to stop again as I couldn’t straighten my left leg out enough to turn the pedal. I lowered my saddle and could now pedal mainly with my right leg but with my left leg able to rotate as well. I was fairly certain I’d be able to get home like this so continued on my way. I had to stop a couple of times for a breather when the pain got too much but made it all the way back. I actually felt OK towards the end, but I think that was just the adrenalin and relief of getting back.

I’ve actually got very little to show for it, a nice little selection of road rash on my left shin, some cuts and bruises on my right shin, a few more cuts on my left arm and a few sore fingers. The worst part is my left knee which is pretty badly bruised and quite swollen. There isn’t much to see but it certainly hurts and I’m not really able to walk on it. I think I got away quite lightly though considering the nature of the crash – and yes, it was a ‘crash’, I didn’t ‘fall off my bike’!

The knee actually felt a little better this morning which is hopefully a sign that there isn’t anything worse than some bruising going on. I’ve got a pair of crutches so used those to help me hobble around whilst marshalling the INTRtri Triathlon today. My knee is pretty sore again now after spending most of the day on my crutches, but hopefully a few days rest will see it starting to heal.

I’m supposed to be doing the Coed y Brenin Enduro at the weekend, so we’ll just have to see how I feel by then, but I’ve ordered some bits for my bike to replace those I’ve broken already.

I guess I should think myself lucky that I didn’t do too much damage and that I did indeed leave such activities until after the last race of the season. I’ve got quite a few months until my next race so if I have to do such silly things to myself, now is the time to do them.

8 Responses

  1. Avatar forComment Author mum says:

    Hope it’s not too painful!

  2. Avatar forComment Author Emily says:

    Sounds nasty, what a relief that you didn’t break anything. Impressed that you got back on your bike and managed to get home!

    • Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

      Thanks Emily. Things seem to be healing well if I can keep my weight off it. The scabs are forming nicely and I’m hoping to ride the Coed y Brenin Enduro at the weekend.

      Al.

  3. Avatar forComment Author Alan says:

    I’m pleased to report that the swelling has gone down and the pain has subsided so I went for a nice easy 1 hour run this morning and all seems OK. My knee was a little sore afterwards and it felt a little weak at times on the run but it seems OK. There is still some superficial bruising and it hurts if I twist it but things seem to be healing well… Coed y Brenin Enduro here I come!

    Al.

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.

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