Cause and Effect

No, it definitely didn't look like that when I started this afternoon.

It was my first wet ride on the bike, and it was going pretty well. I was on the Red route at Glentress, which I've been down plenty before. I'd bombed down Spooky Wood, Super G, and opted for the Pie Run. But it all went wrong by the Magic Mushroom.

I guess maybe my rear tyre was a wee bit overinflated. I was on a straight run, with no great obstacles in sight. I was picking up some speed. And then I was on the ground. Blowout. Damn. Owch!

After I satisfied myself that I was being a wuss and that all my limbs were still in good working order, my thoughts turned to puncture repair. Which was when I saw the rotated handlebars and bent brake lever, and decided to call it a day!

Everyone I passed, wheeling my bike down the track, gave me that knowing smile. Some offered puncture repair, perhaps not noting the other injuries my bike had sustained. Although everyone was - without exception - very pleasant, I couldn't help but feel that wheeling a broken bike in the middle of a biking forest is like wearing a dunce's hat:

"Woohoo! Over HERE! Look at ME! I SCREWED UP!"

By the time I was back at the car park, the adrenaline had worn off, and the bulge on my knee was appropriately sore. What's worse, I was wearing new underpants. And I got blood on them. What's the chance of that!

Still, I'll mend by myself, and the bike will be easy to patch up. Plus it's due it's "couple of months in" service at the bike shop anyway. Do you think they'll notice?!