Chris Drew - 9.5/10

[bosworth*]

so, after stage 2 to the top of Hotham, most of the vikings regrouped and rode down the hill together. Inevitably, testosterone levels rose and it turned into a bit of a race (every ride is a race). ChrisD was riding(racing) down The Meg, which is ~500m at ~11%, followed by a very tight hairpin. I was 20m behind him.

He took the corner too fast and T-boned the guard rail, at very close to 90degrees, at about 15km/h. The other side of the guard rail has a very steep precipice. He somersaulted over the handlebars and landed on his back, his head facing towards the rod, and feet facing downhill (score: 9.5/10). His bike followed this somersault, and landed at his feet, below him. Luckily, there is a lot of undergrowth, and he only fell 3-5m past the guard rail.

I helped him up onto the road, and he seemed kind of ok, he was walking around. He had a cut up face and blood in his mouth. He then had a bit of a lie down on the road, before a kind spectator drove him to hospital.

It didn't look too bad, but it is very hard to tell how badly a person is injured from just seeing the crash.


Most importantly though, the bike looks ok, and only needs a new shifter, new bar tape, and possibly a new front wheel.

[MatthewL]

Sh**!! That's terrible - any more news anyone?

[SSSimon]

O dear! Easy to do on a steep decent where you can end up going a lot faster than you realise!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery - and I'd say your decent was after stage 3!

[Vanessa]

OMG - I hope your okay Chris. All the best for a speedy recovery.

[Startrek]

Hope you are ok Chris.

[Simonsky]

Oh, that's a nasty corner, that one. Hope you're OK Chris.

[Steven]

Sounds like a smash to tell the kids about someday. Hope you have a speedy recovery Chris!

[RobF]

Hope it wasn't too bad and you're back on the bike as soon as possible.

[Avi]

The Meg was almost renamed 'the drew'

Chris was heard saying "I've been descending like a chump all day"

[Sam]

Terrible news Chris! All the best for a speedy recovery!

[Chris]

The news of my injuries is much exaggerated. As is the description of the accident. I actually side swiped the rails after hitting some gravel. Unfortunately I was worrying too much about braking for the very tight corner, remembering that it is a blind corner and you have to be careful and ended up overshooting my line. Hence I was too wide.

I put it down to being tired at the end of a long but good morning.

I am healing fast and hope to be on my patched up bike soon to show you how it is all done. Not much damage to the bike just a leaver, some bar tape and a little truing.

I must give lots of credit to all the guys for looking after me and Boz for seeing me go over and bobbing his head over the rail so quickly. He was actually that fast on to the scene that if I didn't know I had over cooked my line I would have suspected that he actually pushed me over. I can't remember exactly what he said but it was something like "Are you OK?". It was nice to be able to say I think I am OK.

[lovetoride]

Good to hear not too much damage, Chris.

[Vanessa]

Good to hear you're on the mend Chris :)

[Rocket]

Last year you catch a ride from the top back down to Bright. This year you orchestrate a ride from half way down. Perhaps next year you will ride all the way back!!!!!!!!!!

Good to hear you are OK and well.

[dadcram]

I remember seeing something similar in the Tour. Good to hear you are on the mend and the bike isn't dwyerd!
This type of thing makes the chickens in the group (me) reconsider the checkbox against the ToB!

[idol]

The aftermath:

[j_young_80]

Last year you catch a ride from the top back down to Bright. This year you orchestrate a ride from half way down. Perhaps next year you will ride all the way back!!!!!!!!!!


I thought the exact same thing Russ - Drew will do anything to avoid the tack-on after Hotham. This time though I made sure I had a nice crew to ride with me back to Harrietville. The pain of last years ride home still cuts deep. We did have beers while he was being treated and offered him one but he politely declined. F-Mac rolled home with a beer in her bidon.