Post-kangaroo repairs

17/08/25 22:19 Filed in: Gear

In the middle of May, on a Wednesday evening, riding along the bike path adjacent to the river below the dam, I hit a kangaroo. I've had numerous close calls, especially in that stretch of path. There is a horse jumping park up the slope and the river down the slope from the bike path with a small ditch between the horse area and the bike path. It grows great looking grass that the kangaroos like to eat. They only have one exit plan - towards the river. Up is not an option, only down. On that evening the 'roo bolted as I was right there (not before, not after - right at the inopportune time). I dodged behind her. She only took one hop. I plowed into her right hip with my front wheel and strained my shoulders and arms trying to force the bike to remain upright. It was never going to happen because the tyre was buried in her hip.
I fell to the left and got most possible spots on my body on the way down: bruised ankle, knee, hip, elbow and shoulder. Scraped a lot of material off my left shoe. Took the left shoulder out of my rain jacket. Heavily scuffed both brake levers, both lever bodies and tore both brake hoods. Scuffed bar tape. Scratched the Tubus rack on the ground - was easy to buff it smooth with fine sandpaper.
Seat didn't touch the ground. Bars not obviously damaged where the levers clamp on. Frame didn't hit anything.
Before I could stand up, the 'roo was gone.
Replaced levers completely. Ordered new rain jacket. Plan to move the heavily scuffed dial off my shoe to be replaced with another from a same model/year/colour shoe I used to ride in.

With the brake levers replaced, re-paired in the system and everything checked, the bike rides 100%.

Michael Hanslip Coaching

If you want to go faster, you have to pedal harder

Post-kangaroo repairs