Unexpected pothole almost threw me off my bike!

[Ana]

I deviated from my normal commute from work due to errands. As I was turning left, my bicycle suddenly jolted and I almost fell off!

I am usually okay with minor potholes/imperfections in the road but I rarely miss them to the extent of almost falling off my bike!

Has anyone else had any close calls (or falls )?

[PamNY]

I sympathize. We have legendary potholes where I live and the big ones are scary. Glad you're okay!

Pam

[Pedal Wench]

Oh yeah. I hit one at about 40mph on the descent into Telluride. Hit it so hard it knocked my handlebars loose. It was all I could do to safely stop as it was quite steep and my brake levers were moving around on me. Took 2 minutes to tighten them back up, 15 for the adrenaline to stop shaking my knees.

[Biciclista]

as they say in Italy, Stai attento (or attenta)

pay attention

potholes can break your bike OR you or both!

[Lise]

Chicago's city streets are famous for gawd-awful potholes. One day I was admiring someone else's panniers and nearly bit it when I hit a pothole. I am normally so attentive to the road (it's called survival around here), that it really shocked me. Whoa.

[Trek420]

I've read the recommendation perhaps here or I forget if it was an article from a TdF rider to keep your thumbs wrapped/draped around the bar if you're on the top bar. A lot of riders have taken minor bumps and lost control/attachment to the bike.

Glad you are ok Way to recover from the bump

[Mr. Bloom]

You might research and practice the "rock dodge manuever" in anticipation of the next time this happens.

[Ana]

I've read the recommendation perhaps here or I forget if it was an article from a TdF rider to keep your thumbs wrapped/draped around the bar if you're on the top bar. A lot of riders have taken minor bumps and lost control/attachment to the bike.

I ride with my thumbs wrapped around all the time on my flat bar Since my commuter is my main mode of transportation and I live in a small town, I can get almost anywhere I need to go within 20 minutes on the bike

Thanks for all the support! It was just so unexpected. Usually, I am very careful about these things but it really startled me!

[Pedal Wench]

Oh yeah. I hit one at about 40mph on the descent into Telluride. Hit it so hard it knocked my handlebars loose. It was all I could do to safely stop as it was quite steep and my brake levers were moving around on me. Took 2 minutes to tighten them back up, 15 for the adrenaline to stop shaking my knees.

Well, that was last year's Ride the Rockies. Had the same thing happen this year. Grrr. They do an awesome job of marking all potential hazards, but the road down from Independence Pass was in pretty bad shape in places. They marked a really bad pothole, but missed a divot that was just deep enough to once again knock my bars - not loose, but down a bit. Luckily, I was already slowing because some other riders had gone down just ahead. I had the SAG driver go back up and mark this one too.

[jobob]

Has anyone else had any close calls (or falls )?

um, yes