My first big spill (Now I KNOW that helmets work!)

[planetluvver]

My neighbor/ friend's BF heard about my accident, and insisted on fixing up my bike, and gave me one of his helmets and a pair of amber Oakleys. I think that she was actually a bit jealous. She would say things like, "I don't know why, but he wants to."

I am glad he did this, because for a week, I was out of it. I didn't even want to look at the bike, though I did call around about helmet prices. So when I was ready to ride again, I was all set to go.

I am now a bit skittish. I haven't ridden that route since my accident. This friend wants to help me get my bike adjusted well. He said that I had my seat too high (I actually thought that I had it too low.)

But cyclists are wonderful, and I hope to conquer my fears and improve my skills.

[Cataboo]

I'm glad you're okay and had your helmet.

I doubt you had your seat too high - it wouldn't have contributed to your accident unless you couldn't reach your pedals.

If your leg is fully extended (with a slight bend in the knee) when you're on the saddle and your foot is all the way down on the pedal, you pretty much have the seat in the right spot. Some people are toe pointers when they pedal, so take that into consideration if you are. (I'm a slight toe pointer)


I have a friend who's a critical care nurse - she says they use spray n' wash on the accident victims with road rash that comes in - cleans well and is the most gentle. I haven't had a chance to actually try that. (thankfully)


There's no harm in getting an x-ray and it's better that you know just in case. It could just be a sort of internal bruising. I know when I had my only real spill off the bike - the chainring ended up going my right calf... I had a big bruise and cut - but for about 3 months after that, I had this big knot underneath the scar from the chain ring. It was painful if I touched it, but otherwise fine. My bf told me that it was probably just an internal bruise - and that boxers got them from high impact punches and to just keep massaging it and it would go away. it's maybe still a little tender in the area.

But definitely keep an eye on the area and take some ibuprofen to bring down swelling - it will help you heal faster.

[Cataboo]

Oh - another thing - if you don't use clip in pedals or pedal cages, you might want to think about them. If you hit some really big pieces of wood, this really wouldn't make a difference.

However, if you hit a bump/obstacle and you're not using clip ins or using pedal cages, it's very easy to lose control of the pedals - if you lose control of the pedals and the handlebar, you're usually pretty much screwed.

If your feet are clipped in, you at least will probably not lose the pedals, which at least lets you keep partial control of the bike - time to get your hands back on if you can and to try to control it.

Now if you're going to fly off your bike - this may mean the bike goes with you if your clips or cages don't detach. I use frog speedplays and they disengage pretty easily.


I know if I've taken a big fall when skiing, I ski like a grandma for the first couple days - then let loose when I've got my confidence back. Okay, let me qualify that to say like one of those really cautious grandmothers that inch their cars along, since it seems like there's some quite energetic & active grandmothers on here.

The first/only big spill I had - we were in the beginnings of a 40 mile bike ride. My backwheel had warped, so I couldn't continue that day, but I got it trued and the next day we rode 55 miles (my first time that long) and it felt great. (Ibuprofen is my friend and getting back on the bike immediately really helped modulate my fears...) It did help that I'd originally fallen because my bf had swerved while I was drafting him pretty closely and took me out.... So... I don't draft him closely anymore.

[bikerHen]

I had a stupid fall from my bike this summer that ended in a perfect one point landing on my elbow. It required a trip to urgent care and four stitches to make it all better. I was very luck I didn't break anything. I did however damage my bursa(sp?) Which developed into tramatic bursitis. The pain your talking about is just how my elbow has been feeling. The pain has gone from sharp shooting to a dull ache when I put pressure on it. I fell in the middle of July and am just now able to carefully lean on my elbow. It still has a lovely knob on it but it is slooowly getting better. The fluid thing in my case was from the inflamed bursa = bursitis. The only treatment the doctor told me was give it time to heal. That or they stick a needle in there and drain the fluid. I opted for "give it time!" bikerHen

[Blueberry]

Yep - I had one on my knee. We went the no-needle route. Yeouch!!

[Fredwina]

I would go with getting an x ray just to be on the safe side. The FD told me I was ok, even when I had a fracture.

[bikerHen]

I would go with getting an x ray just to be on the safe side. The FD told me I was ok, even when I had a fracture.

I agree. The doctor did an x-ray on my elbow too, just in case . . . bikerHen