by Andrew G » Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:50 pm
[quote="Snoop Doug"]Hope the rest of the group had a great time.
Well it was interesting.
Blimey about 20 people were at GBs!!! We had a nice social run up through Selsdon and the lanes (saying ta ta to Snoop - you did sound snotty) before dropping down Hessiers and up the long drag of Beddlestead to come out opposite the Bec CC hill climb venue. Amy said she wasn't feeling too great today so looped back here.
Then we dropped down Botley and then along Pilgrims Way. Once out the other side we headed over to Polhill.
Just after the roundabout at Star Hill I was up the front as we run in to the base of Polhill. Then there was a shout to stop from behind so everyone stopped.
Chute!Unfortunately a chap, whose name unfortunately escapes me, who'd come out with Monica had had a touch of bars with Rob and gone down. It all happened behind me but from what I can gather they were just riding along chatting, must have been a slight drift and the bars touched. Just one of those things and normally if it happens you just gently bump hands or shoulders, unfortunately the bars got hooked and he got unceremoniously dumped to the floor.
One finger was a funny shape so probably broken, other than that just a few scuffs to knees and elbows. Had a bit of shock so we called an ambulance and waited. A bit of a faff to tell them where we were as I know all the roads and where they go but not always what they are called. Farnborough Hospital is only round the corner though so the big yellow and orange bus was very quick arriving, and they then took him back to the hospital for a check over.
The bike - what do we do with it? Rob had the good idea of splitting it up so we removed the wheels and bottle cage. Then Rob slung the frame over his shoulder and Monica took the front wheel and I grabbed the rear one. We had to have a stop later to tie the bars to the top tube with an inner tube as they were getting in Rob's way but other than that if you need to get a fallen rider's bike home that's how you do it.
The ride was now sort of aborted but Jon said he knew how to get back from there via Star hill so was going to lead everyone back that way. Just as everyone was leaving Sam had a repeat of his chain over the top sprocket problem. Boy it was a good one and jammed right in behind the sprocket up hard against the hub. I gave it a quick yank about but it wasn't a quick shift so left the others to it as we had a bike to get back. BTW Jon it looked to me like the rear mech stop wasn't adjusted correctly so it was overshifting so you just need to adjust those and it should be fine in the future.
Rob, Monica, and I set off leaving the others to the mechanical as we'd have a slow ride back with bit bits. I'd tried calling my Dad for a pick up but there was no answer at the time. We made our slow and steady way back along Pilgrims Way where fortunately my phone rang as we reached the end. Hurray Dad was back so I asked if he could come and collect the bike and save us riding / carrying it up Botley.
Rob and Monica set off up Botley for home and I waited for the team car. Back home and a cuppa was called for I think by now. Thanks to Rob for taking the frame as even though it was a nice light one it would have got pretty heavy on a shoulder very quickly, the wheel certainly didn't get any lighter.
Hope everyone got back okay, eventually. Shame it all went a bit pear shaped but these things happen, can't be helped. Next time you come out with me no playing silly buggers please
. Oh and keep your bikes clean, my hands were filthy by the time I got home
.
Let us know how everything is Monica. He looked okay, just a bit shocked and then the adrenaline overload, probably a few sore bits, notably shoulder I'd guess, tomorrow.