On my bike ride on Tuesday "I forgot to look closely". Council has opened a couple of the 'barrier gates along a pathway I use infrequently. There is a zig-zag path to negotiate or you can use the open barrier gateway. You do have to be a little careful on your bike as at times there can be a 10cm drop from the concrete pathway to the grass below.
I was on my way down a long hill and was just about at the bottom and ready to use the open barrier gateway instead of the zig-zag slow you down method. I saw a sign saying "Beware of Construction Vehicles" which caught my attention. Then I checked to make sure I didn't have a drop from the pathway down to the grass and finally looked up to negotiate the gateway!
Oh sh#$#@! I said to myself as I looked up and saw that today the gate had been closed. It had been painted a light green as well which helped it blend into the environment. No way known could I stop so I went for the brakes and broadsided into the closed gate. Now I can tell you that being almost 72 years of age, a collision like this with a metal gate, it was easy to work out who the victor would be!
I took the full brunt of the impact on my left arm across a couple of the bars of the gate. The doctor described it as a 'soft tissue' injury. I had it checked out as we head off overseas in less than a fortnight and I wanted to be sure I hadn't done anything nasty to it.
It is much improved today but still is extremely tender. My upper arm remains quite swollen and a huge bruise is brewing ready to pop out. No way can I lift anything with my left arm.
Ah well, as I used to say to the kids at school, "Isn't it about time you acted your age!"
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