Responding to a Bad Crash

There is frequent what if type discussions about what could have been done and so on when things go south. In mountain biking I have found there has not been a great deal of this. I think we need more of sharing bad moments and our process of what we did.

Keep in mind with this I have my life in the outdoors before there where all sorts of outdoor schools and books at Chapters. I have learned things from others, reading various books and magazines, the military, and simply the hard way. Let's face reality, mountain biking 30 years ago there was very few on the trail. And riding in places like the Cougar Valley you learn very quickly that you have to be prepared to figure out how to extract yourself from trouble or it could be a long pain full hike in the dark to the highway.

 Near the end of the ride the evening of August 13th while exiting the Don Valley for the SUV for me things went south. Front wheel went out and I slammed left side into the ground. Wind knocked out of me. Never lost consciousness nor hit my helmet at all. Instinctively I did a feel of my ribs and left arm to feel if anything was unusual. Good nothing.  Limbs and such are ok. Definitely breathing based on the creatively worded non repeating vocal response to this.


At this point my biggest focus is to get out of the valley to Loblaws where the SUV is. Coming from the mountains am a big believer in the self extraction method. That meaning if you can get yourself out to the trail head then do so. After getting there loaded everything up and while noting definitely tender and sore nothing was out of place. Texted my wife that was out of the Don and headed to the hotel.

Of course hindsight sitting in front of the TV gives us the perfect what we should have done. But when one is in the middle of it things may get missed. In this case leaving the Redway Loblaws had the feeling of a brewing in the long term Bowel Movement. But at the time was not a big deal.

Heading to the hotel it was about Finch and the 400 that I decided to answer nature's call. At this point there had been no issues breathing or any changes other than the pain of a bruised left side. As well as respond to a text from my wife.  It was at this point that my Bowel Movement let me know there was a problem....blood. Immediately texted my wife of the situation and then called her. As we talked did another quick assessment....looking for anything that felt oddly shaped or firm. Still nothing, so looked up distances to and locations of the nearest hospital. I do admit that I wish I had had stronger urge to use the bathroom near Sunnybrook Hospital. I say this as my Aunt Isabelle would have been there.

Fortunately my wife was in transit and would meet me at Humber Hospital's ER where I was headed. Looking back this is where I made an error, I should have got a container with a lid and brought some of the stool with blood with me. As proof that I wasn't faking it to the triage nurse.

Having my wife meet me at the ER while seemingly insignificant was the right call. It is hard when you are in pain, concerned due to potential internal injury, sweating, and all the other stuff one feels while having to wait. So in this case it was good to have my wife advocating for me as on top of the injury. Was worrying about my daughter and her reaction. Here she was in another hospital 8 months after losing her Granny. Now she was seeing someone else she cared about and was her world in a hospital.

With the help of my wife was able to get in despite the triage desk blowing me off. It was when I urinated in the given sample bottle that things hit the fan. The ER Doc turned the corner and took two steps into the room and saw the bottle....."Is that his Urine?"  When I say hit the fan, next it was this is a trauma and such.  Yep, in less than 5 seconds.

I won't elaborate the rest as it was no longer in my hands. But the next day Aunt Isabelle and her husband Uncle Keith came out to check on me. And talking with Aunt Isabelle a Cardiac ICU nurse through the events of the evening before. I pretty much did it all ok.

Depot Lakes Loop Aug 7th 2017

With the bad summer we are having this year....rain storms galore. And two routes one a old one I created and ridden 3 times. And a new one I mapped out have not been able to be ridden this year.  With that in mind looked for some kind of loop ride to do that was more remote and in paved.

After looking at the Backroads Map Book and looking carefully at Google Earth's satellite view came up with a rough loop around the Depot Lakes Conservation Area.

Depot Lakes Route

With no store at the camp ground nor anything on the rough route. Loaded up everything for both the ride and post ride as well. This would be the second trip like this for the Ranger and changes made since the Brockville trip.

After getting to the Depot Lakes Campground and parking. Got ready for the ride and looking back definitely leaned to the side of hauling to much.  But that was ok as this was an exploration ride. And with the possibility of rain off I went.

Of course this years trend continued apace...less than 10 minutes in. The rain began. A rain that would be there for the entire ride.

Rain like we haven't had enough this year?

Being that this was the first ride of the route speed was not important. More important was making sure to go by the route I had written out and had with me to check against the various side roads. Side roads I was using as  navigation way points.

In truth was bored of the usual K&P type rides and with the usual options under water most of the year. Was looking for another route that was dirt and such....kind of like Fishing Lake Road. But without the crack pot fake cop factor.

Wee bit damp

It was definitely a wee bit muddy.

In the end mission accomplished.

Kingston Trophy Half Marathon 2017

3 day's out from the Kingston Trophy was given the medical green light to ride. Well, to ride but be smart.

With that and knowing I missed almost 2 weeks of riding any rocky trail around to be ready as per past years. I always try to ride a few times the trails I know of that are harder then will be in the race.  That being replaced with 4 days in the hospital with bruised ribs and lacerated Kidney followed by 2 and a half weeks of easy spinning.

The day's goal would simply be to finish and get a result. This was decided Saturday morning driving to the Farm. No thought was given the night before. All I did was trail work the day before. Then Friday night directed those camping to the camping area and sat by the bonfire drinking beer.

So on the way to the race as mentioned before the goal was simply to get a result. It was after arriving and while piddling around as it was really just a ride. I thought that just by simply finishing I might have a chance to pull of a top 2 for the overall.

After the start I treated it as the Kenyan's would call it...a training race. Just put in the ride, be smart, and don't do anything stupid. Leave the hammering and heroics till the 30th. With this in mind there really isn't much to write about for most of the day. It was after the technical on route 66 and the Burbrook hill and about a quarter into Pete's Loop section that I seemed to pick up the pace.

Not surprising as it is one of my favourite trails to play on...hey I love rock. Why I still run a retrogrouch bash guard. After clearing Pete's and gimping down the hill rode the rest of the way as hard as I could while being smart. Which worked till a momentary lapse before the left turn to the straight to the finish. Momentary lapse led to standing and try to go hard. Which was red flagged by a immediate pain from my left ribs. Nope.....just spin it in.

While good with it. It was harder then it should have been as for now need to race with a moto style Kidney Belt....hard to breath at times with it. Later was surprised to find out from Sherri running the timing that I had placed 3rd in Clyde. And may have nailed 1st over all.

What...may have nailed 1st overall in Clyde?

Well, that was true. So a unexpected 3rd for the day and nailing 1st overall for the year. Despite barely cleared to race 3 days prior.

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary

In July got to go to Florida for family trip and finally brought my own bike for a trip to Florida. Due to meeting requirements for packing size had to stick to 26" wheels. So while I wanted to bring the Eccentric opted for the Samurai as had not picked up the 12x142 rear 26" wheel yet.

Before we flew had heard from my daughter's Godmother about there being trails nearby and even before leaving had done some homework.

Malabar Scrub Sanctuary

I do admit wasn't expecting grand singletrack and technical challenges galore. I was thinking more exploration and simply riding in new places.

The only sort of trail area was the Malabar Scrub Sanctuary. Which came with lots of sand and some singletrack. As I said wasn't expecting challenging riding but was better than riding road.

Even came with mobile rocks aka the Gopher Tortoise. Apparently some kind of land based Tortoise that likes to dig.

Gopher Tortoise

One bonus was not just the trail head maps but there was also actual trail markers. Which where nice and kind of gave a clue where one was going. Even though I do admit to going the wrong way a few times.

Fortunately was able to get a second ride in at Malabar the next day.

Malabar Ride 2

While it was a brief 2 days of riding it was worth having my own bike. And with word that there will be another visit next year to Florida and my daughters Godmother. Will be ready. Will have the 26" wheels and 12x142 rear hub axle ready to go.

Highland Creek Primitive

Thanks to a road trip on June 15th to Toronto had time to re visit the classic old school primitive style Highland Creek trails.  I say primitive as compared to the Don Valley where everyone goes and is well manicured. The Highland Creek trails barely see a quarter of the users. 

Highland Creek Primitive

And with such low user volume you do have to expect some bonus challenges. Over growth one of them.

Of course with it being overgrown one has to ride slower than normal as it is harder to spot those bits that can hook you and take you down hard. And nothing sucks more than slamming knee first into the ground.

And with the weather....the rain that seems to keep coming. It has not been easy to get out to the trails anywhere. So this was the first ride this year to go through most in the Highland Creek system.

One side effect of the overgrowth is as mentioned hard to see things. Well, that overgrowth led to the near T Boning of a Deer. Who jumped 4 feet to the side then stared contempously at my disrupting it's day. Sadly when I pulled out my cell to take a pic it moved into denser foliage and became very hard to see.

Somewhere in there is a Deer

Sadly due to time restrictions did not have again time to try the couple of log rides the trail builders put in this year. Sucks as having done observed trials 20 years ago I do like a bit of trials style challenges.

Hopefully on the next trip down will have more time to try to master the new challenges. So with the time drawing near the bingo line it was heading back to the vehicle to get on the road.

26 Isn't Dead

I keep hearing how the 26 inch wheel is so obsolete. How it is a retrogrouch and luddite wheelsize.

Yet in the last 3 years of hearing this. Listening to the endless wheel size bullshit grinding drivel from the bike industry marketing actuaries. I keep seeing visual proof that it isn't just going away. All despite the marketing that suggests that being on a 26 inch wheel is less fun and makes you slower.

Slower? Really? Hmm....the last 2 Substance Projects half marathon podium placings say other wise. The leaving of the vaunted 29er wheelsize in it's dust. But that is impossible, I mean the industry told us that it will solve all riding problems right? The bike industry would never lie would it? Sure I readily admit that I have had a 29er mtb and like many bought it because it was new and so on.

But in the end it left me wanting as at the time 2009 the geometry sucked.

I started riding in Whistler BC and the trails of Mt Fromme. I liked a bike to wheely and get over stuff. Shouldn't have to feel like am fighting the bike.And when after a year it turned out to be meodiocre at best. Went back to the 26". And then tried again 2 years ago and ended up with the same ugh feeling. No matter what I tried. Sure there is a possible way but do I really want to cough up a $1000 ? Not at this time.

And I still am riding the Chromag Samurai is the 26 inch wheel size. Is it less fun? Nope. Is it slower? According to race and Strava times? Nope.  Does it go hard and handle everything I throw at it. Yep.

Nope.....26 Isn't  Dead.

2017 Northumberland Humbler Half Marathon

June 3rd was the date of this years Northumberland Humbler and after missing last year it would be another visit.

Meat Loading

Before leaving I had tossed my second pair of clipless shoes in the SUV. Something made me do it and turns out it was a good thing. After getting signed in and while getting geared up discovered one of my hard sole shoes soles was delaminating. While it was just the toe area, not taking any chances grabbed the extra's I tossed in and was ready.

With the wailing of Dan's siren it was race time. I got off to a better start this time and was faster so was a wee bit further up than normal. Without even realizing it the first 6 k went by quick and I realized like many went out fast for that first 6k. At that point to avoid blowing up later deliberately dropped to an slightly easier gear and spun more. I mean the course will be enough of a challenge so why make it harder?

Kept the focus on being smooth and not worrying about chasing anyone down. That is till the aid station at the half way point. That is where the racing starts.

Picked up the pace and began to catch people who had ridden hard for the first half.  Kept trying to be smooth and being smart. Soon it was the 5k to go mark and caught what I didn't know at the time was the 3rd place Clydesdale. For the next 2km we alternated passing each other a few times till just before the final road crossing where after getting by. Opened the gap on the downhill then it was the last road crossing and a stretch of logging road. Time trialed the logging road.

Just before going into the last bit of singletrack glanced back and saw no one in sight. Had opened a huge gap. Then it was the 1k mark and kept up the pace as didn't know if someone was close.

And coming out of the woods it was the finish and done. It wasn't till later that I found out I had earned 3rd. And had opened a massive 3 minute gap on the 4th place Clydesdale.

Northumberland Humbler Cldesdale Results

That produced 2 Lapdogs on the podium. And for those keeping score at home there is two Lapdogs in 1st and 2nd in the series overall in the Clydesdale Category. Overall happy as tactically had used my head and waited to the second half to become the hunter and make up ground.

I should mention thanks to my wife Joely who helped plan my being able to race while she is at CISM World's in Florida. Greatest coach in the world and the love of my life.