On my way to work this morning just before sunrise. Two lane road in a farm area with little vehicle traffic. Had some decent light but the weather was overcast so visibility was not 100%. Road was dry in most places. I came around a gentle turn onto a straightaway doing at or around 55 mph which is the posted speed limit.
Two deer were making their way across the same real estate I just happened to be trying to occupy and the outcome wasn't pleasant. I believe I clipped the second one which caused a head shake and pushed me onto the wet, grassy shoulder off the road. I had time to utter a couple of motivational phrases like, "You got it! You can get this!", before the front tire washed out and I low-sided. I estimate the slide was approximately 100ft or so. Thank God most of this occurred off of the asphalt and I was wearing all of my gear.
Lessons learned: At first I thought there was nothing to be learned because the deer were essentially unavoidable. If I were driving my truck in the same situation we'd be having deer for dinner.
But after discussing the accident with my wife she pointed out the obvious.... there is a valuable lesson to be learned and that is ATGATT. I was able to jump up and pick my bike out of the muck I had wrecked in because my gear prevented my elbow from crashing into the asphalt and my riding pants prevented my skin from being flayed off of me. My helmet,boots and gloves all did their job too. In a single instance my gear payed for itself in a way you cannot place a value on.
Two deer were making their way across the same real estate I just happened to be trying to occupy and the outcome wasn't pleasant. I believe I clipped the second one which caused a head shake and pushed me onto the wet, grassy shoulder off the road. I had time to utter a couple of motivational phrases like, "You got it! You can get this!", before the front tire washed out and I low-sided. I estimate the slide was approximately 100ft or so. Thank God most of this occurred off of the asphalt and I was wearing all of my gear.
Lessons learned: At first I thought there was nothing to be learned because the deer were essentially unavoidable. If I were driving my truck in the same situation we'd be having deer for dinner.
But after discussing the accident with my wife she pointed out the obvious.... there is a valuable lesson to be learned and that is ATGATT. I was able to jump up and pick my bike out of the muck I had wrecked in because my gear prevented my elbow from crashing into the asphalt and my riding pants prevented my skin from being flayed off of me. My helmet,boots and gloves all did their job too. In a single instance my gear payed for itself in a way you cannot place a value on.
