The one and only thing I ever hit was a tumble weed. Oh, big deal, you think. Well, think again!
I was traveling along the Columbia River, Hwy 84, on the Oregon side just west of The Dalles. Weather was cool and we were moving briskly. I saw this tumble weed about 3 feet in width rolling toward me, maybe some 100 yards ahead. Wind was variable but gusting to maybe 25 mph. I'm cruising and watching this thing and think, "No big deal. It's rolling across the landscape and it has an infinitesimal chance of hitting my bike."
It rolled across my immediate path and half a second before I crossed its path it rolled back and the almost two inch thick dried stalk broken at a sharp angle nailed me squarely on my left chin, just below the armor in my First Gear rideing pants. We were running 70+. Bam! Tears in my eyes, I rolled off to the side of the road and limped around checking my bike and my riding pants that were over my jeans. Bike was untouched but the staulk cut a 3/4 inch gash in my pant. We rode for another hour to lunch and I checked the wound. It barely cut my skin but the impact area was swollen to about 2" X 3", stuck out about 5/8 inch and was stafrting to color nicely. I limped back to the table.
A month later, I was still slightly sore, my whole lower left leg still looked like a beach ball and the vibrant colors from the trama were just starting to subside. Two months after the impact, I went to the doctor to see if there was permenant damage as it was still swollen. He measured it and said that the fluids were still there but the leg would return to normal which it did. Now I have a SEUC so the lowers will protect my body from further tumbleweed attacks but will likely remove my entire bike from the road and deposit me and it into the Columbia River.
I have entirely new respect for tumbleweeds and their capacity to do damage. So heads up out there! It can be damned hostle.
Road Hog
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Topic: The strangest thing you have hit! (Read 21011 times)