Road Rash initiation

[firenze11]

Hey everyone!

I think it has been weeks, months possibly since I have posted. Life kinda went crazy and got in the way so I didn't ride or read very much. But I'm back. And now I have the story of my first fall!

I just got back yesterday from vacation (a whirlwind vacation) to a wedding in Maryland and then a couple of days in Las Vegas with some friends. I've been gone about a week total and it has been a very go-go-go week. I think I averaged about 4-5 hours of sleep a night and I'm kind of a princess about sleep (hey I need my 8-9 hours!) so I'm just completely wiped out.

I decided, however, that I REALLY wanted to go for a bike ride today. When I got out there I knew that it was a bad idea but my mind still really really wanted to be out there. First, I almost hit a chipmunk and a snake. Then, I realized I must have gotten too dehydrated in Vegas/traveling because my legs felt like lead and I took every little hill in granny gear. My garmin tells me I averaged a paltry 10.6 mph despite my hard effort and about 3 miles in I wanted to stop on the side of the road and nap/wait for some kind person to drive me home. I finally decided my body would win this war and turned around.

When I turned into my gravel driveway I kept telling myself to clip out soon but the message didn't make it to my legs. Sure enough I found myself completely motionless and for a split second my brain kinda screamed "CLIP OUT NOW, TURN FOOT, TURN FOOT" but no such luck. For some reason I just kept yanking my foot up instead of turning Then it arrived, the moment that my body started falling to the right. It was a completely slo-mo fall and a little voice in my head kept saying "It had to happen sometime." And there I was, on the ground with my left knee split open and bleeding quite nicely.

So I think I learned a couple of lessons today.

1. Never ride when you know you don't have the energy and are not hydrated.
2. Brains do funny things when tired.
3. Falling due to not clipping out at a stop hurts less than I thought it would.
4. I kinda dig my war wound even though I'm a bit embarrassed by it.
5. I missed TE A LOT!

[Blueberry]

Glad you're back (and that the damage wasn't worse!). Feel better soon

CA

[Mr. Bloom]

Welcome back! May your road rash heal quickly (unlike mine...)

[Blueberry]

Welcome back! May your road rash heal quickly (unlike mine...)

And may you not have an allergic reaction to the ointment

[firenze11]

Thanks! I hope it heals soon and without any reactions too! Ouch!

For now I will wear it with pride. And keep my cycling mantra to "turn heel to clip out"

I'll have to sit down for awhile and start reading some of the threads I've missed.

[Blueberry]

Clipping out really does eventually become second nature. So much so that I have a foot out of the pedal if my DH wobbles the tandem any. He gets annoyed b/c he thinks it means I don't trust him. It's truly a reflex now

[bmccasland]

Welcome home!

At least you didn't have some speed behind you when you fell over. And most of us have scars from our learning curves.