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In reply to the discussion: Dumbest ways you've injured yourself. [View all]Scuba
(53,475 posts)... by late fall every apple had been harvested, many eaten on the spot. Well, not every apple. There were a couple beauties left, way, way up high in the tree.
I couldn't climb up there because the branches were too thin. I couldn't shake the apples free, even when I looped a rope around the branches and jerked and tugged with all my might.
I just couldn't get them loose. Or could I? A lightbulb went on and an idea flashed in my brain. The light apparently then went right back off, because no further thinking occurred until "afterwards".
I quickly tied the end of the rope to the rear fender of my bicycle, jumped on and sped away. Surely the force I would be able to generate would bring down those apples!
When I got to the end of the rope, the tree branches gave, just a little. My bike then came to an abrupt halt just as the branches rebounded sending the rear fender of my bike flying upward. I was launched high and far. My actual flight was brief but it seemed to take longer and happen in slow motion. It was very exciting. Fortunately I broke my fall by doing a face-plant on the concrete pavement so nothing important was harmed.
I don't recall if any apples came free or not.
It was my first experience with tachypsychia.