Wednesday 1 April 2009

Canal-bike interface

I am officially a loser.

Someone put something across the canal towpath this morning and as a result of the collision I fell in.

On one hand it was spectacular. I was launched into the air, throwing Roger to one side and landed side-on, sinking completely before resurfacing and dramatically dragging myself onto the bank. Roger was saved by my quick-thinking and only got wet on one wheel. Plus it makes an interesting blog topic.

On the other hand, I got drenched in rat-pee water, required a tetanus jab and will spend the rest of my life being laughed at.

What annoys me the most is that I could have recovered from hitting the planking if the canal path was properly maintained. I carried on for some time but the deep and narrow pit left by generations of cyclists meant my already wobbly progress went to pot and in I went.

No one was around and it was only adrenaline and my freakishly strong upper body that allowed me to pull myself onto a bank that was a foot above my head. The water was shoulder-height even when I stood on the accumulated shopping trolleys and debris. I don't know many other people who could have done it and there aren't any jetties nearby.

I think tomorrow I'll just go on the road, there's a much lower risk of drowning.

1 comment:

  1. Oh no! Well done for getting out!

    I can't help feeling that you meant to say that your wobbly progress went to pit (!).

    It's not your week is it....

    xx

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