Just a cautionary note to all you regular busy-traffic commuters out there – it’s not another moan about pot-holes, this is to highlight their evil cousin . . . the 4 inch deep tramline !
When I’m on my usual commute and on the busy main roads, I’m normally in “Robocop” mode, watching everything that’s going on and fully alert.
However, about a mile from my work, I turn off on to a quieter road leading to some industrial estates and a dead end, so there’s very little traffic on it.
I must have gone in to Mary Poppins mode , possibly looking around me and thinking what a fine morning it was and how good it was to be alive, when suddenly my front wheel went in to this narrow elongated trench (like the old tram lines) - the predicted result ensued and the bike and I parted company.
Luckily this all happened on a quiet road. I got a grazed elbow and knee out of the deal but probably my pride was more hurt than anything.
As I say, this mercifully happened on a quiet stretch but if you folks out there see these tramlines on a busy stretch, watch what you’re doing.
Also quite happy that this happened on my trusty old tourer for two reasons.
Firstly, I’ve had the bike for a good while and I know it inside out so it was quite simply my fault for not paying attention to the road
And secondly, I’m awaiting delivery of a Trek Valencia (with the Bionx motor) and had this happened with the new bike, a small voice would have been saying “ . . ah well this wouldn’t have happened if you’d stayed with your trusty old tourer”
Anyhoo . . really looking forward to getting on it and laughing in the face of headwinds & hills although the re-appearance of snow up here (Glasgow) just makes your heart sink when you look out in the morning before going to work
When I’m on my usual commute and on the busy main roads, I’m normally in “Robocop” mode, watching everything that’s going on and fully alert.
However, about a mile from my work, I turn off on to a quieter road leading to some industrial estates and a dead end, so there’s very little traffic on it.
I must have gone in to Mary Poppins mode , possibly looking around me and thinking what a fine morning it was and how good it was to be alive, when suddenly my front wheel went in to this narrow elongated trench (like the old tram lines) - the predicted result ensued and the bike and I parted company.
Luckily this all happened on a quiet road. I got a grazed elbow and knee out of the deal but probably my pride was more hurt than anything.
As I say, this mercifully happened on a quiet stretch but if you folks out there see these tramlines on a busy stretch, watch what you’re doing.
Also quite happy that this happened on my trusty old tourer for two reasons.
Firstly, I’ve had the bike for a good while and I know it inside out so it was quite simply my fault for not paying attention to the road
And secondly, I’m awaiting delivery of a Trek Valencia (with the Bionx motor) and had this happened with the new bike, a small voice would have been saying “ . . ah well this wouldn’t have happened if you’d stayed with your trusty old tourer”
Anyhoo . . really looking forward to getting on it and laughing in the face of headwinds & hills although the re-appearance of snow up here (Glasgow) just makes your heart sink when you look out in the morning before going to work