Omnium-gatherum
Matt Hanson’s Brain Archive
August 17, 2005
Crashed Hard
The last time I went down this particular descent I braked too hard and skidded out of control. I bent my back wheel pretty badly but was unhurt. This time I made the same error but the consequences were much worse. I flew off my bike and hit a large rock with my head, then my arm and hip. The rock poked a pretty good hole in my side and broke off a piece of my hip bone. Mark (of Tri-City Bicycles in Rochester, NH) and I managed to walk out of the woods. The emergency room at Wentworth-Douglas took good care of me with 6 stitches and now I just have to take it easy while I recover.
I haven’t had many accidents in my life: 2 sprained ankles (1 in high school track and 1 mountain biking), 1 car crash, 1 bike crash.
One thing is for certain - if I hadn’t been wearing my helmet I would have cracked my head wide open.
July 24, 2005
I love my Karate Monkey
The family was at the beach for the day so I made full use of my free time at Massabesic. The single-track there is some of the best in the state and very well maintained by FOMBA. A-dog, Stumpy, Joe, Two-sheds and myself started at 8 AM with Lady Slipper but it wasn’t until half way through we noticed Two-sheds wasn’t wearing a helmet! The two of us headed back to get it from his car and met with the others at the end of Lady Slipper. Then it was Deer Run, Red Pine (4 times down the Log Roll), Sampler, Moose Track, then Hemlock Loop. The other three headed home and Two-sheds and I checked out the new Fire Line (one of the best trails now) and the infamous Long Trail. When Two-sheds left I felt I was so close to finishing all the trails which I’ve never done…so I hit Fisher Cat, the second half of Lady Slipper up to Fox Tail. 5+ hours in all, rough on the kiester and arms due to the fully rigid frame. I think it may be time to invest in a White Brothers suspension fork for the Karate Monkey.
It was fantastic.
July 17, 2005
Lost on Lost Trail
It was a good epic-style ride with all the components - 3+ hours, mud, bruises, and plenty of carrying the bike while finding the trail again. I turned my Karate Monkey from a single speed to a 9 speed this year and it was a good match for Bear Brook. A-dog and I attempted Bear Brook’s Lost Trail, the longest and farthest trail in the 40 mile system. We started off with some great uphill rocky double track, rode by the expansive Hayes Marsh and picked up the beginning of Lost Trail. However at one end we must have taken a wrong turn and ended up on a skidder road, unrideable and filled with cut trees. After avoiding sprained ankles and carrying our bikes over the slash we eventually came upon a clear trail and rode north. Where did we find ourselves? Perhaps it was a rip in the space time continuum but we found ourselves where we started on Lost Trail. We found the first half, but the second half is still lost. Perhaps next year.
July 2, 2005
Viva le Lance
The Tour de France started today, with Lance Armstrong finishing second in the first stage time trial. Another American, David Zabriskie, won the stage and took the yellow jersey but he is known to be good at time trials and unlikely to be an ongoing contender.
I wish the best of luck to Lance, he has said this is his last year and if he wins he will hold the record for most Tours won by any cyclist since it started in 1903.
May 18, 2005
Get on yer Bikes !
I rolled out of bed to see an overcast sky and rain likely. Despite my hesitance I packed up my bag and biked into work. May is National Bike Month with Friday, May 20th being Bike to Work Day. Here on the NH seacoast we have commuter breakfasts in several of the towns and many communities across the country have similar events. Do you live less then 5 miles from where you work? Reduce pollution, get some exercise, and ride to work!
December 8, 2002
Psycho-cross
At the beginning of December Kaley was still in the hospital but Ryan at Alternative Bike convinced us to get out and see the Cross Race at Wasserman Park. Ryan was in the race as was Richie, Cory, and Jim. It was fun to watch and it sure made me miss riding. Gotta get out and ride…
November 30, 1999
100 miles
Here are pictures of a visit to my brothers, Kim’s Uncle Hod’s 81st birthday, and the Seacoast Century (the first one I did).
