Deer crash on Munn's
Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2014 4:15 pm
Well, hit my first deer at high speed coming down Munn's Road this morning- rider intact; bike status pending and deer failed to remain at accident scene for info exchange.
Out with Tony, Christian and Mark Ford for Highlands ride. Crested Munn's, started the cork-screw descent down toward Millstream/Ross Durance. Christian, with foreshadowing (but no movie-violin warning music- which would have been useful), said "you go ahead, not much for these steep ones".
Down and around the tight curves, in full tuck (but looking up!) down the last blind corner to the right and just as I came through the corner there was a mid-size deer crossing the road. I was going too fast (75-80 kph I'm guessing; have certainly hit that before on Munn's) to change my line but the deer saw me; for split second feinted back to the side of the road then in a fit of optimism decided a last-second bolt right across was just the thing. I T-boned him perfectly at its mid-section, executed a Spaceman Spiff launch off the bike, and what I hope was a credible Starsky and Hutch roll on impact. (though there might have been some World Cup-inspired acrobatics http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/new ... e19571354/)
Hard landing and a skid on right side; smacked head and jumped up almost immediately ("if I'm up I can't be hurt bad, right?"- AKA "denial", "magical thinking", and stoopidity). Expertly attended by Tony who gently advised that smarter move was to lie the hell down and rule out an unstable cervical spine fracture. Meanwhile Mark and Christian did traffic control to ensure that no car finished off what the deer started. (Thanks guys)
Hitched a ride with a Good Samaritan to VGH- x-rays normal; though extensive bruising of pride noted (modern technology- amazing!) . A few stiff sore days ahead but overall darn lucky. (what if that sucker had antlers? Should we have Kevlar kit option??)
Most important: the bike. Remarkably, on first inspection, just a wobbly front wheel, bent derailleur, no obvious fork or frame cracks.
Worst part: no venison; just hamburger (on me).
Be careful out there.
Cheers,
Chris
Out with Tony, Christian and Mark Ford for Highlands ride. Crested Munn's, started the cork-screw descent down toward Millstream/Ross Durance. Christian, with foreshadowing (but no movie-violin warning music- which would have been useful), said "you go ahead, not much for these steep ones".
Down and around the tight curves, in full tuck (but looking up!) down the last blind corner to the right and just as I came through the corner there was a mid-size deer crossing the road. I was going too fast (75-80 kph I'm guessing; have certainly hit that before on Munn's) to change my line but the deer saw me; for split second feinted back to the side of the road then in a fit of optimism decided a last-second bolt right across was just the thing. I T-boned him perfectly at its mid-section, executed a Spaceman Spiff launch off the bike, and what I hope was a credible Starsky and Hutch roll on impact. (though there might have been some World Cup-inspired acrobatics http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/new ... e19571354/)
Hard landing and a skid on right side; smacked head and jumped up almost immediately ("if I'm up I can't be hurt bad, right?"- AKA "denial", "magical thinking", and stoopidity). Expertly attended by Tony who gently advised that smarter move was to lie the hell down and rule out an unstable cervical spine fracture. Meanwhile Mark and Christian did traffic control to ensure that no car finished off what the deer started. (Thanks guys)
Hitched a ride with a Good Samaritan to VGH- x-rays normal; though extensive bruising of pride noted (modern technology- amazing!) . A few stiff sore days ahead but overall darn lucky. (what if that sucker had antlers? Should we have Kevlar kit option??)
Most important: the bike. Remarkably, on first inspection, just a wobbly front wheel, bent derailleur, no obvious fork or frame cracks.
Worst part: no venison; just hamburger (on me).
Be careful out there.
Cheers,
Chris