Cascades Downhill Ouch!

Went for a quick and easy ride around Cascades. I often go out for a 35-40 minute 10k loop, and leave pump, phone at home. I thought my front tyre was a bit low, probably just under 20 psi (tubeless), it has a slow leak, and been a while since I topped with Stans, but thought I would take it easy.

Went in from Ralston, enjoying the scenery at slow pace, then stepped it up. Got past the sandy downhill corner into the steep drop into concrete/creek bend. I went a bit too close to the concrete edge and put on Front brakes and pulled bars left and the front end wiped out at speed.

The bike went down flat at 45 degree angle to track and I went flying in slow motion. I thought "this is gunna hurt". My head and left shoulder hit the dirt/rocks hard, and slid a bit on shoulder, head, forearm, leg.

I was lying there, and I could see a yabbie in the big puddle. I thought that was unusual. My shoulder was hurting bad, but not broken I think. I got up. Front tyre had totally blown. Bike seemed okay. Big grazes on leg and arm, bit of blood.

4km's from home, and no phone, no pump, and all up hill and hurting bad. Walked up to Ralston and home. By the time I got home the rear had also gone flat.

I am not sure what happened. I guess I must have burped the front tyre on the concrete when I swerved and broke, which wiped out the bike. And maybe did something to the back.

I pumped up the tyres at home and have a massive hole in the front. So maybe a rock pierced it and then threw me. Maybe I was losing air rapidly when I hit the concrete.

Anyway I think I am pretty lucky. Ive got an icepack on my shoulder, and it hurts when I cough, and my leg and arm are nasty. But I don't think I broke anything. Helmet certainly took a big knock.

Cascades downhill is not a good place to lose the front end. Next time I will pump up my tyre before I leave and carry phone and pump and spare tube. Ive been getting too complacent lately.

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