Phew, Been so busy( most of you know why) sorry to take so long reporting on this ride out
Think most of you have read the ride out so a very quick summary.
Met all the lads.... Mark, Olly, and Andy at Exbourne for a ride out around North/ South Dartmoor.
Took in some nice easy lanes to the first coffee stop at south zeal
On from there to an iconic lane at fingle bridge, all the lads enjoyed this and it is a favorite of mine
https://youtu.be/dy0pf3r-rOI
Sorry the vid is short
Not sure how to embed the video, but hope the link works
Some more technical lanes and our lunch stop at Moretenhampstead, Micheal Howards deli counter is top class
From here on we had some really nice lanes and then a quick fuel stop, before getting to one of the most famous lanes in Devon......Simms Hill
Now this Green Road is used on many of competition Trails, whether car, bike or such like, this is a proper hard lane and in the wet can be treacherous. Well when we got there I told all the riders about it, Olly had done it before, not sure about Mark and Andy was up for it! As it was bone dry thought why the hell not
Well the result was this.... I got up OK, followed by Olly and then Mark, managed to get my video out as Andy came up it. Now we all know a camera flattens a hill out, this is a proper steep climb!!!!
Unfortunately Andy nearly got to the very top and stalled he's bike (we have all done similar) But Simms is unforgiving and as Andy slipped back and him and the bike had a lay down You can actually hear the noise of his collar bone exploding I thought it was his bike until I listened again and saw the xrays
Andy I felt that Simms hill is a bad place to have a fall get better soon. till you have been there an stood on the hill you just don't get a feel for how steep it is video makes it look tame. from the bottom in the dry its power on watch for the dip half way up an keep the rpm up till the top in the wet it's power with the run up an if you lose the momentum on the wet rock there is nowhere to go but back down.
Yeah you got to be ready to turn and get the bike sideways if you come to a halt on a hill climb, rolling back is scary, especially on wet rock! I feel for Andy and that collar bone, I have had bad breakages before and its a long old journey back to full fitness/mobility.
Good to hear your on the mend ,my wifes a theater nurse for a shoulder surgeon her respnose was ouch when she looked at it
Look after your self and give it the best chance of mending , i was waiting to have a leg removed once when by chance a doctor who id fixed his car a few days before said i recon i can put that togther if doent work then we will chuck it
Two years later and a lot of hard work i was riding again and still pretty good now .hence the take it easy and look aftrr it advice ,glad your trying the wait and see option saves a couple of operations and a lot of time if it works