Know your bike before you ride!

November 9, 2008 by Karl.

Good evening, my friends,
I’m sorry to say it hasn’t been a good week for me. I bought a new bike to ride in an effort to get in a little exercise each day, and have been riding seven miles or more every day.
My old bike had very loose brakes, and I had to grip the handles hard to stop; the same can not be said of my new bike - the brakes are quick and stop you in a hurry.
You probably know what’s coming - Yes, I did a flip last Friday when I was coming down a slope to a street and didn’t see a truck approaching from my right. I had my right hand off the handlebars and rear brake handle, so grabbed the front brake handle and gripped hard.
The front of the bike stopped on a dime, but the rear kept going and flipped me out on to the street. I got a nice piece of “road rash” on my chin and upper lip, chipped a front tooth, and really did a number on my right knee. It is swollen up about twice the size it should be.
I went to the emergency room and they took X-rays - no breaks or fractures - just a hematoma. (I hope that’s the correct spelling).
So, the book signing for Starbucks over in Portland, TX, for this weekend had to be postponed.
I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow and hope to get the thing drained and be back in good shape by next Friday, when we have rescheduled the book signing. Stop by to visit a while if you’re in the neighborhood.
I guess I learned something from this - keep your hands OFF the front brake handle - use ONLY the rear to stop. (A friend of mine from the Post Office saw me at the side of the road, bleeding from the chin and mouth, and stopped to ask if I needed assistance. Then he passed the above suggestion along - a little late, but to be heeded in the future.
I worried when I hit my head, as the brain aneurysm from a couple years ago was on my mind (no pun intended). I guess I didn’t do it any further damage, as I feel fine.
The tooth will also be repaired this week.
I still intend to keep riding and uphold the old Texas saying - “You have to get back on the horse that throwed you and ride him until he knows who’s boss.”
Nothing new on the second book. I keep hoping to hear from the publisher soon. I’ll keep you informed. Come back to visit often.
Thank the good Lord I wasn’t injured worse. Someone was looking out for me.
Until next time,
Via con Dias, my friends,
Karl

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