Feb 2 - accident prone ?

I hit the ground hard ... BUT ... only have torn shorts and a red mark, no broken skin, to show for it.  How it feels is something else entirely !

As expected, it was cold driving across SR40 once away from the ocean and the cities.  Yes, it dropped down to 25F.  I was dressed appropriately but that doesn't make me happy !

There was a good crowd of 40+ riders, including Terry Shuya from Saskatchewan who I hadn't seen for a couple of years.  We got separated at the beginning but found each other later a few miles down the road.  Dan Wallace was riding too but I didn't see him post-start.

It was a great day, once it warmed up.  Sunny, moderate winds, good roads and good company ... what more could you ask for ?

Well, I messed up.  I hadn't copied the route from my PC onto my Garmin.  Rats.  I'd have to actually navigate.

I messed up again, riding off with my normal riding sunglasses rather than the prescription glasses that would have allowed me to actually read the cue sheet !  Later on, when it was bright sunlight, I could read the cues.

All that led up to hitting the road.  We were approaching a road turning off to the right and Terry commented that we had no choice.  I thought that the turn was further up,  looked down at my cue sheet and Terry, who was riding on my left, turned right into my path taking me down on my back. 

I actually fared quite well, considering.  Most of my forward momentum was gone by the time I hit the ground.  My left buttock was numb and I could see the ripped shorts, but I simply pulled the leg-warmers up over that.  I knew that I'd feel it for the rest of the day -- the bruised muscle -- but there was no getting around that !

This is really the first time that I've hit the ground hard since that altercation with a car just prior to riding across the country.  I've fallen over a couple of times, unable to un-cleat at a stop, feeling foolish. 

The rest of the day I hurt -- butt (cycling) & shoulder (skiing) competing for attention.   Late in the day Terry was bonking and cramping, but made it through.  He hasn't done much riding in quite a while.

All in all, an excellent day.  I paid the price for my foolishness and inattention.  I guess that the crash would technically be Terry's fault, but I really cannot blame him.

Jim Wilson, RBA coordinator for Gainesville, had a dinner setup at the end with sandwiches, pasta salad, snacks and deserts.  I think that he mentioned 46 riders -- there were 16 behind us at the end.  We started at 7am and Terry & I finished at 4:45.  I was home just before 8pm.   

Today ... don't know.  I've got Mass shortly.    Tune in tomorrow.

Onward !