Oops! I Went SPLAT!!!

[Python]

Had my first (very minor) accident on the way home today. In effect, I let myself become the meat in the sandwich:rolleyes:

I saw a man cycling (or should that be struggling) up the hill about 300 yards in front of me. I thought (wrongly) that he would be at the top of the hill before me. Anyway, I caught him up just at a very awkward place - a pedestrian crossing which is raised. Now, normally there wouldn't be a problem - I would have just overtaken him, but a car had come up behind us rather quickly, pulled out, overtook both of us and didn't give either of us enough space. The man on the bike in front (he was elderly and very overweight on a cheap mountain-type bike) didn't stop but started slewing from side to side, first to the left, then to the right. I couldn't get past because of him and the car so had no alternative to brake sharply. My right foot got caught up in these damned straps and splat! Down I went:o How embarrassing but happens to the best of us:o Anyway, untangles myself from said stupid straps, checks out damage to bike - gear lever turned in - easy to put right, no scratches (good). Checks self. Slight gravel rash to right knee and right elbow (haven't done that since I was a little kid) and a couple of minor bruises.

Got back on bike and passed old boy on bike up the road. He never even acknowledged I'd gone down behind him. If I'd heard a crash behind me I would have stopped to see what had happened and help. Perhaps he was deaf, I don't know. I have to admit I glared at him on the way past but at the end of the day I've only really got myself to blame for getting too close.

As for that clips and straps - they're coming off. I'm just going to phone my LBS and see how much discount I can get for Speedplays and shoes.

P.S. Forgot how stingy gravel rash is. On the plus side, it takes me back to my childhood days when I used to drive my mother mad.. OK. Some of us never grow up:D

[sandra]

I'm glad you are OK! I still have a bruise from a week and a half ago. I hate clips and straps. My straps came OFF. I'm still using the toe clips while I'm waiting on Power Grips from Nashbar.

[slmdunc]

DOH! You gotta hate those moments when you have no choice but to fall. Just puttin' it out there - I'm in love with my Crank Bros. eggbeater pedals. No tension adjustments, VERY easy out, and four sides to clip in. I've gotten others attached... and it's love every time. :)

[Python]

Read up a lot about the different types of clipless pedals and quite like these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360028014&N=Speedplay%20Light%20Action%20Pedals

Now which to choose, the blue (matches the bike) or pink (girly-girly but would probably put off would-be male thieves). Decisions, Decisions!

They seem to be quite popular on the reviews I've read about them and seem quite easy to get in and out of. Anyone here got them and if so do you like them?

[slmdunc]

I've never thought about using pink as a way to put off male thieves!! Genius!! :D

[Bad JuJu]

OUCH! Glad you didn't get hurt TOO badly. Keep those scrapes covered in Neosporin to avoid infections and lessen the scarring.

I wore clips and straps for years and the only time I got hung up and fell over was once when I had ridden to work and fell right at the entrance--yep, where all my co-workers could see me lying there like a knucklehead. :o

I'm a big fan of Speedplay pedals, too, but I use their Frogs. Frog pedals, I believe, were originally designed for mountain bikes, but I use them on my road bike so I can wear "walk-able" shoes. Love 'em!

[Python]

We can't get Neosporin over the counter in the UK.

It's minor gravel rash anyway - I've had worse as a kid. Should heal up in a few days. One of the advantages of being very light weight - you don't go down so hard.

I've got a cracking bruise coming up on my left leg though (think the pedal got it) but noticed that I have quite a lot of muscle built up there now where I didn't have any before I took up cycling. I didn't realise this until I was examining the bruised area and found muscle there. A bruise on that part of my leg before would have bruised the shinbone. Seems to be fairly well padded now:D

The annoying part was I was really enjoying the run home. Gorgeous, warm, sunny day and just a light breeze - and I was making really good time too.

Ah well. There's always tomorrow:D

[sundial]

P.S. Forgot how stingy gravel rash is. On the plus side, it takes me back to my childhood days when I used to drive my mother mad.. OK. Some of us never grow up:D

Ooooh, it really hurts when you hit the shower. :eek:

Glad you are ok and you're not plastered on someone's hood. Cripes!

I remember as a kid riding my bike barefoot and stubbing my big toe on the sidewalk. Oooooooowwwwwww!! :eek:

[Python]

I did something similar when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I'd got into trouble with my Mum and she'd smacked my backside and banished me to my bedroom. Having a bit of a temper (understatement) and not getting my own way, I kicked the bed as hard as I could. Only snag was, it was a metal frame bed and I missed the mattress I was aiming for and kicked the metal instead. Ouch, ouch and ouch again. My aim was better next time!

[mimitabby]

Glad you're okay; slow motion accidents are better than highspeed ones!

[Python]

Mostly dented pride:o

[maryellen]

<<I've never thought about using pink as a way to put off male thieves!! Genius!! >>

don't be too certain. a friend of mine had *two* yes *two* pink bikes stolen. the next time she got another color. maybe there are women bike thieves here in nyc but invest in a good lock.

[Wahine]

Python, I'm glad you came away with only a little road rash and some bruising.

Yikes!! The shower aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!

The old codger was probably deaf. It's hard to imagine that he didn't have a good excuse for checking if you were OK.

I hate those kinds of crashes. but I'd rather that than highspeed any day.

[Python]

Riding a bike you expect to come off unexpectedly at some point. I'm fine. Got a couple of good bruises but nothing to write home about. Happens.

Anyway went to my LBS this afternoon and got my front derailleur adjusted. Much better now.

Was going to buy Speedplay Light Action pedals but our LBS won't stock them. They used to but said they'd had too many problems with them in the past, were prone to jamming and expensive to repair.

I've ended up with Shimano clipless similar to these (but without the logo - same colour - matches the bike:D )

http://www.ridebikeprogear.com/cyclinggear/cyclinggearproducts.aspx?pid=385

I also got Specialized Road Shoes like these:

http://cycleloft.com/itemdetails.cfm?catalogId=39&id=1692

but in Metallic Blue.

Total cost for pedals and shoes - £120 ($243). Got them heavily discounted for £45 ($91). I'm a happy bunny:D

Didn't have time to get them fitted today as I had to be home to take the kittens to the vet for the second part of their vaccinations so am going to get them fitted tomorrow. That should be fun trying them out:rolleyes:

As it happens, keen cyclist new neighbour wants me to go with her to the market where I bought my first bike and it's off-road cycle paths all the way there and all the way back so it'll give me a chance to get used to them without going on the road. I hope the weather's as gorgeous as it's been today. Really warm and sunny:D

[DDH]

I'm glad your okay. I hate to fall. Of course I guess no one enjoys it. LOL


I love my clipless pedals and knock on wood, I have only fallen once.