Well that was one of my hair-brain plans that back-fired. Not a great deal of sleep but woke up feeling good. Yes I was going to try and get a Stroud 5 Valleys 50k (32 miles) with 1,250m climbing in before work.
Brekkie in the car and the chap in the local swimming pool signed my brevet card. See you later and off I set in 'Derbyshire mizzel' quite refreshing. Route lovely. Then it happened!
In my head I was walking the cattle grid but it looked okay it was uphill so I went over it. My back wheel went and I fell backwards on the grid. But my right foot was still clipped in and under my bike. And as I was going up hill, I was now lying backwards. Ouch pain in my hand and arm and I couldn't get my body upwards to undo my shoe.
Smile of the day a lovely young man just like the 'milk tray' adverts came to my rescue. Offered to take me and my bike home in his pick-up.
I tried to look as un flustered as possible. Thanked him and said 'I'm a tough old bird' and went on to finished my ride.
Back at the swimming pool my chap signed my brevet card again and said would I like to use the shower! I except and cleaned up okay. No ripped clothes, bike undamaged, and only a small amount of damage to myself.
In work and after a couple of coffees all okay. Never again cycling over a damp cattle grid this is not the first time I've come off like this, but will be my last.