Page 27 - 2021-09 Courier

Bicycling Helmet does its Job “Let’s all chip in and pay for the cab,” Terry said.
By Don Young Again, I refused their offers of help, because I was too embarrassed to
tell my buddies that I couldn’t remember where my car was parked. I
In Discovery Park, near the zero-mile trail marker, we stopped again was feeling strong enough to begin riding, and I knew that if I rode with
so we could regroup before maneuvering through a short detour bypass- the group, they would lead me back to my car. “I’ll ride back with you
ing an ARBT repair project in progress. Terry and Gary led the way guys.” Terry slowly shook his head and rolled his eyes. We retrieved
through the detour and on into Old Town where we exited the bike trail our bicycles and rode out of Old Town to the American River Bike
at the California State Railroad Museum. Riding across the multiple sets Trail.
of railroad tracks in front of the museum (always challenging) was ex- Near the 10-mile-trail-marker, we stopped at a rest area with drinking
tremely painful for me. When everyone had safely crossed the railroad fountains where we could refill our water bottles. With 13 miles to ride
tracks, we rode about half of a mile farther to the Subway Sandwich the wind had picked up. Riding in the gusting wind was more challeng-
shop. ing. The wind blew at us from all directions as we rode along the mean-
After buying sandwiches and drinks we returned outside to eat lunch at dering trail beside the American River. Brown dry leaves blown by gust-
a small table with bench seats on the wooden sidewalk where everyone ing wind flew across the trail in front of us. Dust and small debris pelted
could easily keep an eye on the bicycles. By the time I finished eating, I our bodies as we pedaled through the wind while dodging fallen dead
was feeling stronger. limbs on the surface of the trail. Beads of sweat rolled down my back.
Terry said, “You are going to call Christine and have her come and Everyone was getting tired. We stopped briefly at the side of the trail to
get you, aren’t you.” rest our exhausted legs and drink some more water.
“I don’t know yet.” With dogged determination to complete the 68-mile ride, we climbed
“You’ve been riding with one hand most of the time since you fell. back on our bikes and forcefully pedaled through the hard wind. Nimbus
Riding back one-handed, in this wind, is going to be very hard.” Dam loomed in front of us. Jay took the lead and guided us through the
I thought about the logistics of having Christine, my wife, come and confusing intersection of roads and trails near the salmon fish hatchery
get me plus my bike and then take me back to my car. I doubt that we and onto the Aquatic Center parking lot. Happy that the tough ride was
could have managed to get the bicycle into her Honda Civic. I told Ter- over, we loaded our bicycles on our bike racks and headed home.
ry, “No. That probably won’t work.” The next day I discovered that from the time of my accident until l re-
Craig suggested that we find a taxi cab large enough to carry my bike moved my helmet at the end of the 68-mile ride, I had been riding with a
and take me back to my car. “I’d rather not do that,” I said. Craig of- broken helmet. The helmet was cracked inside and out. I am very thank-
fered to pay for the cab. ful that the helmet protected me from a more serious head injury.
“That’s very generous of you, but no thanks.” The helmet did its job!

September 2021 Page 27