It was after work one late afternoon. The weather was marvellous. I was cycling to swim in the outdoor pool in Lörick. Since I lived in Oberkassel, my route took me along a scenic pathway that provided a view of the river Rhine. Am Pappelwäldchen offered a bike path along one side of tall, majestic old trees and a path for pedestrians on the other.

The long line of pretty poplars stretched far into the distance. They presented a canopy of rich and dense dark green leaves. I was thankful for the magnificent shade they provided against the bright afternoon sun.

This area of Düsseldorf has long been a wonderful place for recreation. The swimming pool gave me a marvellous respite from my busy days. I was cheerfully riding my bike, passing others from time to time.

I became aware of two cyclists heading towards me. Presumably, I subconsciously expected them to line up one behind the other. Suddenly I became aware this was not the case and an impact was imminent.

The path was the width of only two bikes and I was on one of them. The eyes of one cyclist widened at the impending danger, the other remained completely oblivious.

I could not avoid him due to a massive tree trunk next to me. I grasped my handle bars, braked hard, he thumped into me shoulder to shoulder. I turned my head and looked over to the body on the ground. He had flown from his bike and hit the tarmac like a sack of potatoes. He was motionless.

I descended my bike and leaned it against a tree. Crouching over the man, I could see he was breathing but he appeared to be unconscious. It transpired that the other cyclist was not his friend but a stranger who was being overtaken. A few other people stopped but seemed helpless.