Are you still cycling in the snow and icy conditions? Not easy is it! Have you wiped out yet? Was your crash spectacular!
Chatting to a great friend on the phone last night he described riding on the ice and in a moment of madness thinking it was a good idea to apply his front brake WHILE looking behind him to check the traffic. In the icy conditions you don’t need to be Einstein to realise an accident was inevitable. He found himself flat on his face.
It’s amazing how often biking accidents are self induced. Whether through riding too fast or not paying attention. I would love to be able to say that all mine have been someone else fault. The bad car driver or another cyclist touching my wheel.
BUT NO. When I honestly consider my bicycle accident statistics. The list is long and sometimes spectacular. I think I can safely say that in 99% of cases it was my fault. Probably a lesson in here somewhere but I’m too thick skinned to hear!
My favourite occurred in France whilst riding fast down an Alpine climb. I forget which. I was trying to catch up with 2 Italian riders in front of me knowing that if I didn’t get in their wheel before the bottom then I would have a 30km ride alone at the bottom.
I should have known I was in trouble at the previous corner. I locked the back wheel as I approached it. Just managed to come off the brakes, regain control and squeeze my way around the sharp hairpin switchback.
The sensible course of action at this point would be to slow and abandon the chase of the 2 riders in front. BUT NO. I pedaled like mad towards the next switchback. This time I was not so lucky. Skidded again. Lost the back wheel and was flat down on the road. Sliding 10 yards on my arse. OUCH!!!!
All this was watched by an old Frenchman. I would have expected some kind of sympathy, maybe even some help. No he started shouting at me. berating me for being so stupid and riding too fast.
Shame faced. I got up, ignoring the blood and pedaled away. I couldn’t get away fast enough. by now the Italians were miles ahead and I had an unpleasant 30km ride to think about my stupidity !!!
Have you had an epic crash? Love to hear about it?
This is a new web site and I would really appreciate your help in raising awareness. If you enjoyed this article please take a moment to comment or share it on Facebook or Twitter. I would really appreciate it. Thanks and keep cycling. Give you training a boost with Cycling Base training. You should check it out.
Luke Bream
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My friend dared me to ride 100 miles in one day at 15 mph or hire to prove that I was worthy of him adjusting his tandem for me to ride with him. I had gotten to mile 50 at Sherwood Island, which is a lovely beach. I was riding a hybrid (the only bike I had, at the time), and decided to go down a path to the beach to stop for lunch. I was still relatively inexperienced, and was riding solo, and didn't realize that a downhill path made up of sand and seashells + a hybrid at a decent speed was not a good equation. Next thing I know, I've flipped over the handlebars, my beloved Blackberry landed in the only puddle to be seen for miles, my helmet was in one direction, backpack another – it was a complete tag sale. Tada! http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs185.snc1/6176_1…
Ouch ! Your purple bike is looking very sorry for itself. I hope your friend accepted your commitment and changed his tandem set up for you ?
oohhh thats sad….