Now Rick’s in a bit of a fix
Well, sorry to say that this month Rick’s Fixes has been replaced by ‘Fix Rick’.
Heading off for a pint of milk from the farm shop one morning last week, it seems I donned a cloak of invisibility, because a driver coming the opposite way made a right-turn – right across my path. It’s a common situation – but usually they see you and stop at the last moment, so you either scrape by or hit them and continue your journey over the bonnet (minus the bike). This time I was hit hard enough to punt me at right angles into the turning by about 20 feet, where I landed with a badly broken leg, along with a dislocated and broken arm.
While lying there having my clothes snipped off, my younger mate Harry, who was passing on his bike, kindly retrieved my Stadium goggles and took my riding kit back home – I managed to save my wax cotton from the shears! Then Lawrence Coleman turned up in his crazy custom pick-up (see right) and organised taking the bike back to my place. Thanks to all; it was a relief to know everything was under lock and key, even before I left in the ambulance! Something struck me in hospital. As the hunter spots the deer hiding in the trees, most of us will catch a bikeshape even at the extremes of our field of vision. Supposing people with no interest in bikes glance into the oncoming lane with eyes tuned for something square with a windscreen and headlights, and a motorcycle simply doesn’t flag up?
Either way, I never assume I’ve been seen – but this time I was too close to avoid the inevitable. The poor Sunbeam is in similar shape to myself, broken but ultimately repairable – it just may take a little while. I reckon lockdown has made a lot of drivers very unaware, so take a bit of extra care. I like catching up with readers – but not in the physio department! Cheers, Rick
• Normal service will be resumed as soon as Rick is back on his feet and well