BS: I fell off my bike:-(

Subject: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 20 - 07:40 AM

I came off my push bike yesterday :-( Rookie mistake. Going along at a fair pace on a quiet country lane, lost concentration for a second and didn't notice a big bump. Hit the bump too fast and tumbled off. Only cosmetic damage to both me and the bike. Skinned both elbows and one knee. Couple of cuts and bruises. Broke a mounting bracket for my trip computer (only fitted the day before!) and cracked the casing on my gear indicator. Bit.sore after but thankful. It was a wake up call that riding a bike needs as much concentration as driving a car. More in some cases! It also reminded me what it feels like.to be a kid and graze yourself in a fall. I needed plasters, TLC and a treat. Only difference is the sweets have been superseded by a glass of Famous Grouse :-)

Having slept since, the only soreness is on my elbows and one I didn't notice yesterday, a very badly bruised toe on my left foot. I think I may lose a nail on my right hand. The end of my ring finger is swollen and the nail is cracked. Not particularly painful but a bit stiff. The Grouse must have worked its magic!

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Helen
Date: 08 May 20 - 07:43 AM

Not a video-worthy face plant over the top of the handlebars, then.

It sounds to me like you are lucky it wasn't a lot worse.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 May 20 - 07:46 AM

Glad you're not hurt badly, take care!

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 20 - 07:48 AM

No, sorry Helen. The bike did end up a yard behind me but I fell off sort of sideways. No one about either so the little dignity I have left was saved.

I didn't swear but, after checking all my important bits still worked, I did shout "ouch!" Honest : -)

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 20 - 07:50 AM

Thanks Bonzo. You will be glad to hear I was fit enough to put the flags and bunting up this morning :-)

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 20 - 08:11 AM

SOME COMFORT HERE DAVE
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 May 20 - 08:58 AM

Ouch, indeed.

Is a push bike British for bicycle?

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: gillymor
Date: 08 May 20 - 09:33 AM

Feel better, Dave. A few weeks ago I was coming down a short stretch of sidewalk after a long ride and a generation z'er came toward me with his arms laying across the handlebars cradling his smart phone, ear buds in and totally oblivious. When I was almost even with him he swerved toward me and I left the pavement to avoid him and my wheel caught in the indent between the turf and the sidewalk and over I went. Luckily I came away with just a badly skinned knee and no visible damage to my bike while the dude just rolled on past without looking up. I forgot one my basic rules of cycling, "Everyone is out to get you."

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 20 - 10:39 AM

It is Mrrzy. Well, to us Brits of a certain age anyway :-) Differentiated it from motor bike in the days when two wheeled transport of both varieties was more common.

I had a walk down the same lane earlier and found a bit of plastic from my gear indicator but not the bit off the trip computer holder.

Thanks Jim - I liked that :-)

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 20 - 10:46 AM

`"Thanks Jim - I liked that :-)"
Ah - but was it of any comfort ? :-)
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 08 May 20 - 10:46 AM

`"Thanks Jim - I liked that :-)"
Ah - but was it of any comfort ? :-)
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell of my bike:-(
From: leeneia
Date: 08 May 20 - 10:51 AM

Hello, Dave. I'm glad you are okay.

A few years ago, I was in Scotland, and I asked a bartender what Scotch would make a good gift to thank the friend who was cat sitting for us. He recommended Famous Grouse, so we bought a bottle for the friend and one for us. It was excellent. I should have known it would be therapeutic.

Everyone, the next time you see someone who's absorbed in the phone and might collide with you, shout "Hello!" and get their attention in good time. Too often we overlook the value of shouting.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 May 20 - 11:28 AM

For a good number of years I cycled to work, for four years from Loughton to Walthamstow (including a nice stretch of the North Circular), about 14 miles a day. Thereafter, from the wrong side of Bude to Holsworthy, about 20 miles a day (with 800 feet of climbs per day!). In the early 90s I was cycling around 6000 miles per year, then one of my knees went dicky in about 1994. Since then I've just ridden me bike for fun and in a gentle manner. In all that time I came off my bike just twice, once on a patch of oil when I was cornering and once when I foolishly decided to cycle to work on roads that were ice rinks (they don't tend to salt the more minor roads round here). No harm done on the ice, but the first time I collected very similar damage and injuries to yours. These days there are potholes everywhere round here, but the people here still vote Tory...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Mrrzy
Date: 08 May 20 - 07:04 PM

One of my big sisters, hee hee, tried to ride a bike in her late 50's and found out, it is *not* like riding a bike. She couldn't. She had forgotten how.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 May 20 - 09:38 PM

... it's as easy as falling off a bike...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Helen
Date: 09 May 20 - 12:55 AM

Before I retired I used to drive 30 minutes up and back to my workplace on a mostly featureless main road with long stretches of open areas either side and no street lights or buildings. There were quite often cyclists riding along the road, and I assume they were riding to and from work, and this included well before sunrise in the winter months. One morning there were ambulance and police cars in a dark bit of road. I found out later that there had been a piece of timber lying sideways across the cycle path and the cyclist hit it in the dark, went over the handlebars and died at the scene from head injuries. As far as I remember the timber was not big in width but it was long and a colour which was hard to see in the dark.

So I was talking before about video-worthy stacks but in fact I think you were very lucky not to be more seriously injured.

Another noteworthy cycle stack I heard about on a TV medical emergency show was about a pre-teenage boy who went over the handlebars and instinctively tried to break his fall with his hands. He broke both wrists. The doctor told him he may need help wiping his own bum. The boy was not impressed.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Mr Red
Date: 09 May 20 - 02:31 AM

I have lost count the number of cars on the wrong side of the road overtaking cyclists on fast roads on bends. And it is me who has to slow down, in a hurry. At the moment there are a lot of MAMILs - hence more impatient, irresponsible drivers (percentage wise). You would think the current "clapping for medical workers" culture would engender more consideration generally. Not IME. The innocent driver is more likely to be an essential worker!

Even before retirement I was happy to wait to overtake cyclists.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 09 May 20 - 02:37 AM

I used to cycle everywhere when younger - even in London, till I saw the Traffic
When I lived in Speke (outside Liverpool) I used to go off on long rides with friends at night - one night as far as Warrington, over the Transporter Bridge
On the way home I cycled too close to the hedge and a branch caught my front spokes and threw me over the handlebars
My mate walked me home carrying my bike on his shoulder
Don't you do daft things when you're young ?
The closest call I had was cycling to work on the docks in Liverpool
I was riding down Everton Valley when my wheel got suck in the tramlines - I really could have been killed that morning
If I had, I have family who wouldn't have come to the funeral - they'd have never forgiven me for dying so close to Everton Football Ground
It's a bit like that in Liverpool, which is one of the reasons why I left - that and the Beatles :-)

There was a bicycle story about Kirkby (the other place I lived - very rough)
A couple were riding along one of the roads there on a tandem when a dog ran out and threw a bucket of water over them :-)
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Senoufou
Date: 09 May 20 - 04:24 AM

Hope you're getting over the fall today Dave, and that your bruises/bumps/damage aren't causing you any serious problems.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 May 20 - 05:11 AM

It's not safe to let a car overtake you on your bike on a bend, as Mr Red describes. Not only does a car coming in the opposite direction have to take evasive action, the overtaking car is liable to swerve back in and collide with the cyclist. After many years and many thousands of miles of both urban and rural cycling, I found that the effective solution for the cyclist, having assessed the situation, is to move to the centre of his carriageway, preventing the overtaking manoeuvre from happening until he's safely round the bend. On busy roads, one of the most dangerous things a cyclist can do is to timidly hug the kerb, or even ride inside the carriageway white edge line. You have no margin for escape if some imbecile overtaking doesn't give you room, and that's where all the bits of glass and other debris are anyway... It's your road as much as it's the man's in the tin overcoat, more so in some ways as at least you're not polluting the air. Gotta be assertive!

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 May 20 - 05:13 AM

I find that I don't bounce like I used to.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 09 May 20 - 06:26 AM

The only other time I came off was when my front wheel got stuck in a tramline at Salford Quays. Broke my wrist that time :-( The bike is a Ridgeback Attache. Good for most things but I'm wondering if the 20" wheels are a problem.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 May 20 - 11:30 AM

Get a yourself a proper sturdy well balanced Hybrid road/off road bike..
with puncture resistant tires, and a comfy seat..

There are reasonable priced sales deals on most of the time...

Bike prices have become stupidly too high because of the lycra poseurs,
but sensible Hybrid bikes can still be found at affordable prices..

Bike cams are worth considering for accident evidence...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 May 20 - 11:47 AM

A few years back, I borrowed a friend's electric standup scooter to run an errand. While going very slowly to get the feel of the scooter, I tested the brakes and the front one seized. I was projected over the handlebars, blowing a tendon in my wrist.
The first surgery was an attempt to transplant another tendon to pull things together. It didn't take, resulting in a second surgery to fuse the wrist. Be careful. I don't recommend this to anyone.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 May 20 - 12:11 PM

Mrs Steve and I both have hybrids. Mine's a 30-year-old Specialised and it still goes like a good 'un. Hers is a Trek. Nothing fancy. Bikes made for having fun on, on or off-road, and not for Lycra-wearing miseryguts to be seen on. I still wear baggy cycling shorts that I've had for yonks. There can be quite an entertaining sight to see thereby if I'm coming towards you head-on, but I care not a jot...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 May 20 - 07:40 PM

I made a rough-and-ready whimsical calculation tonight. If the government scrapped HS2 and allocated the money saved to buying bikes, there would be enough dough to buy a pretty decent bike, let's say 400 quid's worth, for every able-bodied adult in the land. Instead, we hear from Grunt Crapps today that he's allocating a few quid to create pop-up bike paths here there and everywhere. As if we'll ever ever see 'em. Cynical Tory bollocks as ever.

Still, back to the cheery topic of guys falling off bikes... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 10 May 20 - 04:14 AM

Sorry I spoke, mud guard my words in future or at least reflector on them:-)
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 May 20 - 05:02 AM

get better

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 10 May 20 - 05:22 AM

I gave up cycling when I realised that i could no longer steer with one hand, so no more hand signals.
I think it is to do with my disc problem as I have to support my upper body via the arms from the handlebars.
Perhaps a recliner bike is the answer. Another deterent is that we are a mile from an adopted road so we need off-road capability, and that tends to rule out the tricycle option looking at the surfaces required to be ridden over ( how do you wheel a tricycle as opposed to a bike?).
And then there is the 1 in 6 hill that I would have to climb to get back home.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 May 20 - 06:15 AM

Trouble with living in the Airedale valley is that I cannot go anywhere, apart from Keighley and Skipton, without going up a bloody big hill! I may have been able to do it 20 years ago but I struggle now :-( Mind you, I am 2 stone lighter than I was 3 months ago. Another 3 stone and I might consider trying again :-)

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: gillymor
Date: 10 May 20 - 11:09 AM

As for lycra-wearing cyclists, any one who doesn't avail themselves of all the advantages of comfort and aerodynamics that high tech duds offer is going to have a hard time keeping up with a pack of determined cyclists on lightweight road bikes who are outfitted in that manner, to say nothing of pulling off a 300+ mile ride unless you're just poking along and camping when you're tired. Done that.
Nowadays I wear wicking gym shorts and lightweight long sleeve uv-blocking fishing shirts and ride a comfort bike with shocks at the front fork and seat which allow me to ride on sidewalks when necessary without rattling out my fillings. It's an XL frame to accommodate my tall stature and with it's upright handle bars my CoG is so high that the handling is relatively poor and probably was the main reason for my recent crash.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Nick
Date: 10 May 20 - 03:11 PM

You have my sympathy. When we first first moved to Yorkshire I was expecting to lose my driving licence as I was caught by the police travelling in excess of 100 mph and so I got back to riding a bicycle and did used to enjoy it. For a while I used to ride 30 miles a day but I don’t think I do it now. Going down a local hill at some speed the whole bike began to shudder and I thought I was going to crash at full speed (probably 35mph +) and it was terrifying.

Glad you are ok

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 May 20 - 03:40 PM

I used to have an expensive touring bike made from some fancy alloy,
at fast speeds the frame would start shaking like it had reached
some kind of resonant vibrating wave length..

Engineers might know what I'm trying to express in musician's terms...???.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 May 20 - 03:58 PM

Well in the late 80s and early 90s I had a Claud Butler Majestic with 10 speeds, shifters on the downtubes (no fancy indexing), Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing and a Brooks B17 leather saddle. I was man and machine in perfect harmony. They don't make 'em like that any more.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 May 20 - 02:03 AM

man a and machine in perfect harmony, a bit like when you play the gob iron

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 May 20 - 03:09 AM

My first serious bike was given to me by a workmate, an electrician who had been a rally cyclist - as an apprentice I was unable to afford one and when I told him he gave me one of his old racers - he had become arthritic
A week after I was able to master it safely I cycled to a friend's flat in South Liverpool (called The Dingle then, now known as Toxteth) - a place with a reputation
I parked the bike in the area in front and knocked on the door, and was invited in, we sat talking for a few minutes and my mate's mother asked, "How did you get here?" - I told here I had cycled
"Where did you leave your bike?" she asked - I told her
"It'll be long gone by now" she said - it had
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 May 20 - 04:35 AM

"man a and machine in perfect harmony, a bit like when you play the gob iron"

Bob Dylan owns harmonicas, Dick. I'll say no more...

I seem to recall that the "man and machine..." slogan was used by Ford when the Sierra first came out. Presumably, women weren't supposed to drive them..

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 May 20 - 04:50 AM

You were lucky, Jim. Racing bikes are set up with steep frame angles which makes the frame very stiff. Definitely not set up for comfort. They used to call knackered old bikes bone-shakers, but that name is far more fitting for racing bikes...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 May 20 - 06:27 AM

I think it was a rally bike Dave - made for distances arather than speed my mistake
I think it was quite comfortable but I didn't have it long enough to find out
"Bob Dylan owns harmonicas"
Sounds as if he doesn't bother to take it from his mouth when he sings :-)
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 11 May 20 - 07:09 AM

Heheh. Didn't want to start anything about Dylan and his harmonica-"playing," Jim, especially knowing that Dick is president of his fan club....

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 May 20 - 07:24 AM

" Dick is president of his fan club..."
Appropriately named for the job, if ever anybody could be (sorry Dick and both of the Dylan fans) :-)
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 20 - 08:45 AM

My last decent bike was a Claude Butler. Very similar to the one you describe, Steve. I used to cycle to Swinton station in the morning, get the train to Wigan with my bike in the goods wagon then cycle from Wigan Wallgate to Standish. Coming back it was easier to get the train from Shevington but I can't remember why!

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: gillymor
Date: 11 May 20 - 08:50 AM

Way back when I had an Atala roadbike, spent my last penny on it and then some, with Campangolo hardware and a Brooks saddle which I'd gotten off an old Peugeot. I sold it when bikes with bigger frames became available but left the perfectly broken in saddle on it when I let it go. Could of kicked myself, I never found another one that good.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 11 May 20 - 09:24 AM

I was put off for a long time because my parents agreed that I should go with my Uncle Gerry on a tandem Hosteling holiday around hilly North Wales
I nver relly ot over it and as my feet barely reached the pedals, neither did Gerry
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 May 20 - 01:24 PM

On the day I fell off, last Thursday, I should have gone to paint the bathroom in our local community library. I didn't feel up to it after my tumble so we put it off till today. Bathroom now painted. I think falling off the bike was easier...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 May 20 - 01:55 PM

dave , some advice self isolate at the bottom of the garden.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Donuel
Date: 11 May 20 - 03:24 PM

Once you reach 40 there is no shame in riding an electric bike.
You can get a nice new 36V folding electric bike for $600
If you live in mountainous areas I recommend 48 Volts.
There's no need to spend alot for a lithium E bike.
You will get 20 miles per charge easy.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 May 20 - 03:34 PM

I always fancied one of those invalid carriages
you pedal with your hands...

Don't see them about on the roads anymore...???

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: EBarnacle
Date: 11 May 20 - 06:10 PM

They are out there. Lady Hillary and I work the NY Marathon and Half Marathon as radio crew and those guys are usually the first ones to the finish.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 11 May 20 - 07:10 PM

Iqent to the supermarket, on my bicycle, to buy a bottle of whisky. After I bought it I realised that it was hard to handle on the bike and I might fall off. So I decided to drink it there and then.... and I'm so glad I did as I fell off my bike at least seven times on the way home.

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 12 May 20 - 02:12 AM

Liverpool story
A lad offered a girl a ride on his bike and is told "My dad said I should never accept a ride on the crossbar of lad's bike"
He says, grinning, "Your alright, love, this is a girl's bike"
Jim

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: MudGuard
Date: 18 May 20 - 02:34 PM

Dave, I hope your wounds are healing well!

Sorry, I only saw this thread right now ...

Have you tried riding the bike again? You know the saying about getting on again as soon as possible, otherwise you will never find the courage again ...

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 May 20 - 05:33 PM

3 days last week i made a round trip each day of 8.2 miles on my bike, and i never fell off, gnomemaybe you should be riding metro

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 May 20 - 06:14 PM

I'm fine, Mudguard. Elbows still a bit sore but, yes, I have been on it a few times. Thanks for the thought.

Dick, has it really taken you over a week to come up with a metro gnome joke?

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 May 20 - 02:37 PM

Did the 8+ miles to Keighley and back again today. Finally fixed the gears so they all seem to work! Shimano Nexus 7 hub. Adjustment is easier said than done!

Subject: RE: BS: I fell off my bike:-(
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 20 May 20 - 06:48 PM

I went for a ride on my bike yesterday for the first time in a couple years - 4 miles, no hills but some rough ground. I expected to feel the efects this morning but nothing untoward.

Nearly 20 years ago, at the end of foot and mouth outbreak, I felt that it was my public duty to re-open an overgrown bridleway. As I pedalled slowly through the long grass in bottom gear, my front wheel stopped dead in a hidden rut. The rest of the bike and I continued on and I went straight over the handlebars, landed flat on my back and was completely winded. As I lay there gasping for breath, staring at the sky, I realised that nobody could see me in the long grass, even though I was only a few hundred yards from the houses. It was at that point that I decided to buy a mobile phone.

DC