Adventures of a Non-Binary Author – Bail or Crash

The sites which told me scooter riding was a good form of exercise weren’t wrong. With uphills to tackle in both directions, and the flats not exactly being level, its hard work. I cruise where I can. I enjoy the break every downhill I face gives. Well almost every one. The exception is the last down hill on the way home. It’s both steep and around a corner. A fairly blind corner at that. I use both front and back break to get me through it safely. But the first few times I tackled it, I needed to bail. I’d not quite figured out the speed to take it at yet. And, even though I’d probably have been fine, the safe hop off, and stop felt right at the time. .

The weather has been another factor to contend with. The first few weeks I was lucky. Clear skies on the way in and home. Then there were a few days where it was wet on my way home. Not just wet, but actually raining. Since I didn’t have a coat with me, I chose to bus home on these occasions. Using the short distance from the bus stop to our temporary front door, as a gauge for wet weather riding. Eventually I got my chance to test it out. First with roads that were wet from the night before, but not raining. Then with rain.

I made it without incident. If anything it felt like the wet weather was slowing the scooter down naturally. Of course I was using the break a little more, for safety. But, even without that, I wasn’t able to get the speed on hills I had previously. I wasn’t going to worry, as long as I was safe. Although I would definitely need to figure out my trouser situation. There was so much mud splashed on me the first time, it was almost ridiculous. I managed to wipe it off, so I looked presentable. But I knew that wasn’t the most ideal solution.

So now, here I am, more used to the wet weather riding, and the streets are finally dry again. I’m at the most confident I have been with the scooter. Enjoying the feeling of going faster, even if I can’t explain how the wet weather slowed my vehicle down so much. There have been a few near falls recently though. Not because of the wet weather, but the uneven terrain. I even experienced one on this trip home. I’m not sure if I was moving too slowly, or just hit it at an odd angle, but I certainly caught the edge of something jarring. Still, no falls yet. I’ve managed to avoid them all, somehow. So my confidence is peak as I approach the blind corner.

Maybe I’ve got too used to being slowed down by the rain. Maybe I’m moving faster because of the extra speed I used to cross the road. I always try to make sure nothing is coming, so I can take it at my pace. But the car had started moving before I was fully over. The turns are fairly tight though, a lot of foot control is needed. But that doesn’t’ mean I’m not approaching faster than normal. Certainly faster than I’ve been used to the last few times.

I think I’ve made it safely around the blind part of the bend. I start to release my foot from the back break, but I must step off too quickly. Either way I’m not in the best alignment as the scooter accelerates, and I’m at risk of crashing. No, not just at risk. I can’t bail safely at this speed, and the pavement is narrow. There’s a busy road next to me. I have a choice. Bail with a heavy landing. Or face first into a wall or lamppost.

Not that I really have time to think. Instinct takes over, and I bail. I land heavily on my left knee, Then my right knee and hands make contact. I’m still on a hill. My body is still in motion. So I end up forward rolling to protect my head. The pain from my knee is insane, as I curse what’s just happened. Repeatedly. I don’t give myself any time to recover though. There are people around, but I somehow doubt I’m going to get any help. So I pick myself up. My left knee hurts, but I can put weight on it. I get on the scooter. Home is not far, and this will be less stressful than walking.

I make it home, still cursing the pain. Once in, I throw the closest thing we have to an ice pack into the freezer. I then set about my usual evening routine. Moving more tenderly, because of the knee. I’m pretty sure it’s just bruised. The bruise is massive already though. That much I know from the examination I gave it whilst I was getting changed. I know it’s not happy with me getting on with my usual routine, but the pain isn’t getting more intense. So, yeah, I’m pretty confident it’s just a bruise.

Once the dishes are done, I get the ice pack onto my knee. I keep my leg elevated as much as I can, placing pillows to make the angle more comfortable. I do at least three lots of twenty minutes with the ice pack, before going to bed. It’s a Thursday evening. My partner has been out socialising, so only gets to see the damage when they get in. I’ve already made a decision not to scooter in if it’s too painful in the morning. I needn’t worry though. By the morning it doesn’t really hurt to walk or stand on. Yet more proof it was just a bruise. But I’m more cautious on the scooter going forward. I never want to experience a fall like that again.

To be continued…