Cycling Accident on Dorset Bridle Path: Lessons from a Locksmith’s Fall

If you’ve ever clipped a root on a narrow bridle path and gone flying, you’re not alone. Here’s what happened when I—a Bournemouth locksmith and weekend cyclist—took an unexpected tumble mid-ride.

Sunday socials are meant to be the antidote to a busy week: good company, fresh air, and a decent stretch of the legs. Ours was a 35-mile loop through Dorset’s finest, with the usual mix of banter, mud, and mild suffering. Midway through, things took a turn. Literally.

We were threading our way down a narrow bridle path, the kind that demands full attention and a bit of finesse. I was cruising—not hammering—when my crank arm clipped a root jutting out of the bank. No warning. No wiggle room. The bike stopped dead. I didn’t.

I flew over the handlebars in what felt like slow motion, landing hard enough to knock the wind out of me and leave my ribs protesting every breath. One startled expletive escaped (you’ll hear it in the video), followed by a moment of lying still, doing the mental checklist: limbs intact, bike upright-ish, dignity… questionable.

Thankfully, no broken bones—just bruises, sore ribs, and a renewed respect for hidden roots. The rest of the ride was a slow roll back, with plenty of rib jokes and sympathetic winces from the crew.

What I Learned from My Cycling Crash:

• Watch your line—even familiar trails can catch you out.

• Crank clearance matters on narrow paths with hidden hazards.

• Ride with mates—they’ll laugh, but they’ll also check you’re still breathing.

• Rib injuries linger—especially when your day job involves lifting, twisting, and crawling into awkward spaces.

I’ll be taking it easy for a few days, swapping van gymnastics for blog writing and restoration work. If you’re out mountain biking in Dorset this week—watch those roots. They don’t care how good your balance is.

Video caption: “The moment gravity won. Audio warning: one startled expletive.”

expect the unexpected