One of the most important inventions of our time

I was riding down a track in the forest near Whangamata with the unthreatening name of Peter Rabbit’s Trail, when I came across a sign pointing to a rather ominous sounding trail called Doom Creek. This was classed as grade 5. I have never really paid too much attention to the grading indications on the signs as many of the trails don’t have them, and when they do, I’m not quite sure why they differ as most of them have hard bits and easier bits.

I have since consulted Google on the official definition of grade 5, it tells me that these trails are ‘technically challenging off-road trails that include steep long climbs, precipitous descents, lots of rocks and dangerous drop-offs. The surface will be hugely varied and cyclists should expect rocks, roots and ruts.’

Disc brakes. They are a little lauded, but genius invention. If you ride a mountain bike down steep hills, you will probably agree wholeheartedly with me.

If you own a car, it is highly likely that you have operated disc brakes on thousands occasions (and if you reside in Auckland we are probably talking many, many thousands of occasions). But I’m sure with never a thought to the amazing job those little suckers do of arresting your momentum safely and reliably, time after time.

We laud Peter Beck at sending rockets into space, but who knows who invented the disc brake? A quick search informs me it was an Englishman by the name Frederick Lanchester. He patented the design way back in 1902! That was a time when people invented stuff that mattered.

If you think about it, Fred’s invention is responsible for preventing the deaths of millions daily. Not only on our roads, but think of every plane that lands around the world each day. There are over 100,000 commercial flights per day transporting more than 8 million people. Imagine how long the runways would have to be if we did not have disc brakes. So Fred’s the man! In contrast, how many lives has Mark Zuckerberg been responsible for saving and what freedom has he afforded me? But who will be remembered more? We live in strange times.

Back to Doom Creek, being an unexplored trail, I had to check it out. All was going well until I came to point were there were two options, straight ahead down a steeper bit, or the chicken route. I do frequent chicken routes because my mountain bike is over 10 years old therefore requires a much higher level of skill to ride over difficult terrain compared to today’s bikes. Or so I have convinced myself. Plus I never want to dislocate a shoulder again. Ever.

But I was going a little to fast to choose the less direct route. It started well, weight right back, on the brakes, but not too hard to let the bike flow, threading through the roots, and then came the drop-off. Which is aptly named, as that is pretty much what I did, but it may be more accurately described as a drop-over. I wish someone was there to video me in these moments as I am sure it would make very entertaining viewing, watching me acrobatically twisting in the air to land like a cat. Or maybe a sack of spuds after being hurled off a roof. No video, so I’m going with the former.

I always assure my wife that I will ride carefully, and this tumble is continued evidence I am about as reliable as an election promise when I make this prediction. Unlike my disk brakes. If our public transport could be counted on like disk brakes can, then there would be a whole lot more people on buses and trains!

So next time you hit that brake lever or pedal, spare your disc brakes a thought. Those little pads grabbing hold of that disc and not letting go, even when it becomes hotter than a vindaloo from London curry house exiting your body the next morning. And never with a moment of complaint, or you ever having a skerrick of doubt they will arrest your momentum.

Bloody little champions.