Carbon Bars + 'Cross = Ouch

[Sheesh]

That picture really is worth a 1000 words! OMG!

I'm glad you're okay and that you were able to still race.

Now you've got me wondering what bars are on my bike...

[wavedancer]

Ouch is right! I hope you aren't hurting too much today. You're pretty tough stuff to get back on Julie's bike and race anyway. How did Sunday's race go?

[cycling_sarah]

Yikes! Glad you are ok! Hope the bruises heal up fast. You are so brave to get right back on and race, but I guess that's the best way to do it...don't give yourself time to think about the crash and get nerved up ;-)

[SheFly]

Thanks, all!

Velogirl - DH put these on my bike to "save weight". And they were used. I just ride whatever he builds... That said, we have BOTH learned an important lesson here - carbon bars are not a good option for 'cross.

I also think the "hole" that I hit would have broken brand new carbon bars. It was more of an "abyss" .

As for getting back on and racing - didn't want to. Mentally, I was all done for the day, if not the weekend. DH, however, wouldn't let me off, and went in search of a bike - his expectation was that I had paid and registered, already had my number pinned on, so I was racing. So, I was kind of "forced" into the race.

Now I know, if I REALLY didn't want to, I could have put my foot down, but sometimes it is easier to just grin and bear it. That said, it was probably good for me to exorcise the demons so that I could hop back in the saddle for the next race.

SheFly (who loves her new ALUMINUM bars!)

[trigirlpink]

Oh my...

That is a scary picture. I'm so glad you are ok. This happened in Biddeford??? Did you end up going to Maine the next day too???

I was scheduled to ride only in Maine on Sunday but did a quick switch to Biddeford on Saturday due to some last minute company coming for the weekend. ( How dare they mess with my cross practice/racing)

I did not have a good race on that fairly simplistic course. Lots of reasons but mainly just not aggressive enough at the start coupled with lack of experience. I was hoping to bring what I learned from Amesbury there, but not sure what my deal was.I think I did all of the laps alone with a very fast group in front and a slower one behind. The solo Oreo creme filling sandwiched between...
not the optimally fun way to do a cross race I'm learning especially after Amesbury and having some women around me. That is much more fun.
Today I got myself out in the rain and wet to go toughen my chicken-self up over at a nice town forest with my husband coaching or more like coaxing me down some sandy rocky hills.

[trigirlpink]

I forgot to mention my husband's friend also broke his bike during warm/up right after my race so I just tossed him my bike to use. A quick pedal change out and off he rode. I was happy to help out. I had to defend him a few times from the "nice bar tape" "pretty flowers" comments from the spectators! Here he is right after those up-hill barriers in Biddeford ME.

[7rider]

Y'ouch!
Now I know the genesis of Mimi's carbon bar comment in another thread!
Glad you're okay. I'd been wondering about carbon bars/stems/ (and forks!) on 'cross bikes. Add it to the list of "things that make you go, 'hmmmm'".
Glad you're okay.

[Zen]

I had to defend him a few times from the "nice bar tape" "pretty flowers" comments from the spectators!

Those who can, do.
Those who can't are SPECTATORS.

[SheFly]

Oh my...

That is a scary picture. I'm so glad you are ok. This happened in Biddeford??? Did you end up going to Maine the next day too???

Yup - happened in Biddeford out warming up before my race. Hopped on Julie's bike after a pedal change and went off anyway. I did do New Gloucester on Sunday as well, but was pretty sore from going down so hard.

You had a great race on Sat - top 10 finish and you didn't get lapped. Two GREAT goals! That was a tough course - had to be "on" the whole time, or you would get gapped. When you get into a situation like that on those courses (where you are on your own between groups), resort to your tri/TT skills, and just motor - you could have made up some good time on that dirt climb and on the grass!

Good for you in getting out today - more than I did . I'm on rest this week due to the injuries and heading into Gloucester next weekend.

SheFly

p.s.

One of our male friends used my TT bike last year at the Charlie Baker - pink bar tape and all, and beat my best time. I think pink bar tape makes the guys ride faster