Yesterday, I went shopping for groceries at my
local supermarket. Usually, when I do this, I
take along a bag to put the groceries in. I usually
strap the the bag to the back of my bike using a
bungee.
After doing the shopping, I made to fasten the
bag to my bike rack using the bungee. After a bit
of a struggle, I managed to get the bag secured to
the rack. Or so I thought, because when I let go
of the bungee...
....THWACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The bungee *hadn't* been properly secured, and the
metal hook at the end had sprung back with great
force and shattered the left lens of my glasses
and left bits of glass in my eye. After a moment
of confusion, I decided to lock the bike to a
rack and grope my way home on foot (fortunately for
me, the supermarket is about 30 minutes walk from
home).
At home, I made an attempt to get the rest of
the glass out of my eye, and then my kind
neighbour helped me bring back the bike and
take me to my local A and E to make sure that
any remaining pieces had been removed. I guess
I'm lucky that I was wearing glasses - I hate
to think of what would have happened if the
hook had hit my eye directly. But it's been
an *expensive* experience - I'm very short sighted,
so I *know* that my replacement lens is going
to cost as much as an entry level bike.
So please, PLEASE, if you use bungees to secure
your stuff to the back of your bike, DO take care
while doing so.
--
Akin
aknak at aksoto dot idps dot co dot uk