The Accidental Cyclist

[melissam]

Lately I've been very accident prone when it comes to the bike.

Let's see, during the past two days I've:

* Had a rock get kicked up by someone's tire and hit the first knuckle of my thumb. (Nice bruise on thumb)

* Had a major blowout. (Must o' been the helium, eh?)

* Fell because I lost my balance and didn't clip out in time. (Nice bruises on left leg and left elbow.)

* (This one gets extra points because of degree of difficulty.) Tried to clip in, missed, right foot jammed forward, chainring bit into back of right calf, right foot got caught between front wheel and frame, while trying to get foot out, chainright kept spinning and left it's mark on back of right calf. (Nice cuts on back of right calf.)

Good news: the bike is fine. All bruises and cuts will heal quickly and soon be a distant memory. I still had a great time riding this weekend.

Now it's onto the safe (I hope!) stationary bike at the gym until Saturday.

-- Melissa

[kpc]

Sounds like you would be an amusing partner to ride with! Hope you are healed and glad nothing was serious.

[penster]

I am new to this site, but had to post relative to all your problems with the bike - we call them "bike bites" and by mid season, seem to be covered with various bruises, cuts and abrasions. One of my best (worst) was during a group ride, when I was stopped beside the road, and another rider wasn't looking and ended up hitting me from behind...which pushed me into the handlebar stem...need I say more - yikes - big bruise but luckily no stitches needed...stay upright, ride hard! LOL:) :

[melissam]

kpc,

Oh yeah, I can be very amusing to ride with. ;) And I can be really funny to watch when trying to work on something mechanical. I'm all thumbs and have been rather clumsy, so hilarity ensues!

Penster,

Right, I've already begun collecting my bike bites (AKA battle scars) for the summer. Maybe TE can give an award for the best bike bite at the end of the summer. :)

I've got a pretty good permanent battle scar -- a nice, 8" scar down my left thigh from breaking my femur on the bike back in 1990. Now there's an injury that will put your cycling on hold for quite a while!

Stay safe, everyone! (But have fun!)

-- Melissa

[doctorfrau]

Wow Melissa,

Your Femur?!! Geez woman!!
Maybe we should start a "gnarly bike wound" thread -- with pictures even! :D

[Crash]

You can really get some posts going with comparing bike "crash" (hmm wonder why my nickname is Crash) stories.
One of my funnier ones (at least to me and my buddy) was turning around to make sure a car coming out of a parking lot was going to see and stop for my buddy (Florida by the beaches to put it in perspective). When I faced forward I was greeted by a sign that said "Land's End", and they meant it so I got to lay my bike down and go into a nice horizontal slide for all to see. My every caring buddy asked if I had trouble reading.
Another one was trail riding in hard clay where big treaded 4 wheelers had left tracks. I hit a black spot which was apparently mud, came to an immediate stop (front tire only) the back swung perpindicular and stuck in an old tire tread rut. There I was still in my clips afraid to move for sure I would tip over. My husband came to my rescue...lifted the rear tire back in line with the front and watched my just tip on over into the mud. Got to love em, huh.
Crash:p

[ChainsOflove]

I was flying along wednesday and went under a viaduct thru a puddle (I thought)! Turns out is was ice and schwinnnnnnnnnnng

down I went and across just like Jan Ulrich last July.

Jammed my knee but managed to make it home. Then just a little sore. Back out there tommorrow!