Rough weekend on bike

[Artisan]

I'm so glad you made it home ok, that's just scary. Yesterday must have been the day for getting the sense knocked out of you, because I did the same thing. I went down yesterday in a race. My helmet has three cracks in it, so happy it took the brunt of it and not my head. I couldn't remember what happened or answer any of the questions the paramedics asked me so they took me to the hospital to get checked out. Beyond a few road rashes and bruises I'm fine.

I'm not sure about that dragging foot thing you mentioned being good advise but maybe I'm not understanding what you mean by it.

[Grog]

I'm happy you're here to tell the story Suzie. You're a tough cookie (with a good helmet).

Do you have RoadID (http://www.roadid.com/)? I strongly recommend you get something like that if you're riding on your own a lot.

The learning curve to the road bike can be steep, and riding in the rain (especially in an urban setting with tracks, cars, curbs, etc.) is another challenge. Hang in there! But don't hurt yourself.

I strongly recommend unclipping both feet. After two years clipless, I still do that a lot of the time, especially if riding busy city streets. Then I position my feet to make sure I won't clip back in, and I'm pretty good at clipping back in or even at pedalling, if necessary, without being clipped in. What wears the cleats out is not clipping in and out but walking in them, so don't worry about that. It just makes it safer.

Big hug, take care

[suzieqtwa]

Grog..I have my cell phone with I.C.E in it...a copy of my drivers license ,and blood type in the saddle pack.
I can bend my wrist etc...and I did ride 26 miles today...I'm just beat up,like someone punched me. Ill be better soon ,and yes, if it doesn't get better I will see a doctor.
MiMi...I'm not sure how to explain the stopping thing. I get real nervous before I stop. I'm afraid the bike will flip the other way ,or Ill get stuck. I take my foot out (Just one) ,right before I stop ,and kinda hang it away from the pedal so it doesn't clip back in. I don't have a head ache or any dizziness. I don't know how long till I'm in the clear , but Ill certainly be aware. I had straps before the road bike ,and I never took my left foot out...so my habits are only one foot comes out...same foot.
AS for the learning curve on the Road Bike....it wasn't raining before I left...it had started 5 miles into the ride. I know I have to be careful now. I'm giving my body a couple days to get better...it was just so nice today.
MiMi...I already feel pretty comfortable on that road bike and its only been a couple of days of just riding. Youll be fine. Just take the advise others gave me...say YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Giving up wasn't an option as that was my new bike....either learn to ride ,or not have a bike.

[Grog]

Grog..I have my cell phone with I.C.E in it...a copy of my drivers license ,and blood type in the saddle pack.

Sorry to insist and hijack the thread. I don't know what's on a driver's license in your state, but...

It doesn't have to be a RoadID, that's just a cute gadget, but an easily accessible plastified card with your name, address, year of birth, a couple of emergency numbers, and important medical information (some TE ladies said that blood type is useless because hospital would be mandated to check it before they give you transfusions anyway - but I have it on mine anyway) is important.

If you head gets smashed hard enough that you can't give that info to someone who comes by, there is a good chance your cell phone will be smashed as well.

Saddle bag could be detached from your bike, or your bike could just go missing for a while, or who knows how long it will take emergency people or plain passers by to check it out. (People who don't ride bikes don't even think about saddle bags as a place to look for ID.) Jersey pockets are probably not a bad place to put that info, although if you're on your back and not moving, or if your clothing is torn, it's a bit of an issue again...

[/hijack]

Good luck with your hand, that musn't bee too much fun. The sunny days of summer will come soon enough and you'll be stronger from your winter riding....

Cheers

[chickwhorips]

i'm sorry to hear about your falls, i know they aren't fun. i am amazed at you determination.

knowing first hand of head injuries, i say go to the doctor. i waited a week after my head injury (mine was a pool accident) and i had (and still do) have complications with it.
i'm not saying yours is like mine, but its still a good idea to go to the doctor. that and to get your wrist checked out. then let us know what the doc says.

[light_sabe_r]

(some TE ladies said that blood type is useless because hospital would be mandated to check it before they give you transfusions anyway - but I have it on mine anyway) is important.

I'll say that Aussie Ladies it's definatley useless writing your blood type down on a saddle pack etc

In an emergency you'll be given O- blood until they get confirmation of your blood type at the hospital. So if you're type O- get your arse to the red cross and donate cause it's your blood more often than not that save's lives. including Premi-babies. In fact that's the only type of blood given to babies.

(I'm O+ and that's slightly less important because if there's a limisited supply of O-, then O+ is used in emergencies on men... But not women (unless they're post menopausal))

Okay... so my blood banking rant is over.

Suzie I'm proud of you for getting up. But that sounds like a serious knock! The last time I was concust I was hit in the head at an indoor soccer match. Although I saved a goal, I had absolutley no co-ordination for the rest of the day. I'd start walking then just TRIP over my own feet. After a 4 hour sleep I woke up and just felt sick. BF didn't leave me alone for a second. I really should've gone to the hospital or at least a GP the next day. But yeah... I must've looked pretty drunk thinking about how things were going from my perspective.

Ice is your friend.

As for riding in the wet... I can't bring myself to do that yet on my roadie.

Train tracks?? Yikes!!!

SPDs are difficult to get the hang of. If you're still having trouble go back to your LBS and get them to check the tension. The other thing is the weights. If the pedal doesn't "flip" so that the ring part is pointing up and the square weight is down then there's something wrong that needs servicing

[Crankin]

After my crash about a month ago, I was having headaches every 2-3 days. I knew it was probably from the whiplash in my neck, but I still went to the doctor, after 2 weeks. When my colleagues at work noticed me rubbing my head, I decided it was time to go. They gave me the standard neurological tests and I passed, but I still went for a CAT scan. He said I could have had bleeding in my brain, just be safe. Everything was fine, but I would rather know for sure. I was more of a wreck worrying about the headaches, even though I had no other symptoms and I remembered everything. So, PLEASE get checked out.

[doc]

You are one tough cookie. Get well soon.