I’ve posted here many times over the last 15 years or more about my rides in Sherwood Pines, mainly on the KH24. I have often been dismissive of the “experienced riders only” warning on the “red routes” and I have poured gentle scorn on the mountain bikers who labour around on over-specced machines. I’ve ridden most of what Sherwood Pines has to offer, including many — but not all — of the obstacles on the downhill course.
So I was genuinely shocked today to discover that my next door neighbour — a very strong, fit and experienced triathlete and cyclist in his 40s — recently put himself in hospital after coming off his bike at Sherwood Pines. He has suffered what his wife describes as a “brain injury”. At the moment, he has some problems with speech and is reacting slowly to the speech of others. However, he is expected to make a more or less full recovery over the next 12 months.
I could not think of a more cautious bloke — the sort of guy who always obeys the speed limit on an empty road — and he was riding with his school-aged son, so I doubt he was pushing the envelope in terms of speed or jumps.
Yes, I know riding those trails on a unicycle is slower and in some senses less risky than riding them at full speed on 2 wheels.
Never get complacent, folks. One unlucky fall is all it takes.