Bugger it! (And tips on riding fixed!)

in message <[email hidden]>, Jon Senior

jon_AT_restlesslemon_DOT_co_DOT_uk ('') said:

So... after 14+ years of riding, at least 9 of which have been clipless
I managed a total of 0 accidents until a fortnight ago and have now
clocked up two. I'm hoping that this does not set a trend, or that I'm
not engaged in having somebody elses falls.

They dome in threes, you know...

Much sympathy.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/
;; Let's have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck
;; in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle.
;; Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Dem, OR)

Jon Senior said:

I have just returned from A+E having fallen off again. This time on the
fixer. I was sprinting off from the lights when I managed to pull my
left foot out of the pedal. I shot upwards, lost control (Although I
managed to hold it together for long enough to realise that I was
doomed) and then went over the front and bounced off both knees, one
elbow, and ultimately my chin! Which now has four stitches holding it
together. No major harm done other than a wasted evening and a severely
bruised pride.

The reason for the sprint. I was racing a BMW. Who defied all
expectations by pulling in up the road and coming back to check I was
OK. He also gave me a piece of cloth to help staunch the blood.

The bike took a bit of a kicking. The handlebars had rotated and the
brake lever has rotated on the bars. The front mudguard has shattered
and is currently in two pieces, one attached to the brake mount, the
other held on by the stays. No other damage was visible and aside from
the rubbing of the mudguard, the bike appears to be ridable. Due to the
fact that I was dripping blood I opted to walk the remaining 5 minutes home.

I managed to get past a caller ID person on NHS 24 and two nurses before
the inevitable question was asked. I did point out that having landed on
my knees, elbow and chin, a helmet would probably have made little
difference. She didn't make any attempt to convince me to wear one in
future.

So... after 14+ years of riding, at least 9 of which have been clipless
I managed a total of 0 accidents until a fortnight ago and have now
clocked up two. I'm hoping that this does not set a trend, or that I'm
not engaged in having somebody elses falls.

And the advice? When riding fixed, make sure that:
a) Your cleats are not worn.
b) You have the release tension as high as you can tolerate.
c) Your bike is geared at a level that allows you to accellerate well
without standing up.

Bugger it!

Jon

Crikey Jon, take it easy out there. Sounds like you'll be OK, those
safetly bicycles are not all they are cracked up to be you know. What
pedals do you use ? What gear is on your fixed ?

MSeries said:

Jon Senior wrote:

Quoted message said:

Sounds like you'll be OK, those
safetly bicycles are not all they are cracked up to be you know.

I'd always wondered how "senior" you were. Now, as an Ordinary advocate,
I have a clearer picture... ;-)

--
Mark.
http://tranchant.plus.com/

MSeries said:

Jon Senior said:

I have just returned from A+E having fallen off again. This time on the
fixer. I was sprinting off from the lights when I managed to pull my
left foot out of the pedal. I shot upwards, lost control (Although I
managed to hold it together for long enough to realise that I was
doomed) and then went over the front and bounced off both knees, one
elbow, and ultimately my chin! Which now has four stitches holding it
together. No major harm done other than a wasted evening and a severely
bruised pride.

Crikey Jon, take it easy out there. Sounds like you'll be OK, those
safetly bicycles are not all they are cracked up to be you know. What
pedals do you use ? What gear is on your fixed ?

Aw, no! Glad to hear you're alright. Having stitches sounds fairly
major to me though! It's not just fixies either! I'm certainly
perfectly capable of injuring meself falling off my geared bicycle, and
did so the weekend before last, going far too fast on a descent, to
make it round a huge U-bend. Helmet use would have made no difference
in my case either, as I managed to knacker me shoulder by putting my
arms out to stop meself landing chin first, then bounced onto my side
and bloodied hip and elbow. Take it easy mate, and I hope you're back
on the bike soon.

MSeries said:

Crikey Jon, take it easy out there. Sounds like you'll be OK, those
safetly bicycles are not all they are cracked up to be you know. What
pedals do you use ? What gear is on your fixed ?

The only reason I'm currently riding inna upright stylee is because I'm
supposed to be riding Applecross this weekend and didn't fancy doing it
on the bent. Once I've done that, I think it'll be straight back to
lying down.

The pedals are Shimano PD-M520s set to the default tension (I think my
cleats are probably worn!) and the bike is a 72". I don't want to drop
the gear too much as it'll make going down the hills round here that
much harder.

Jon

Simon Brooke said:

They dome in threes, you know...

This is what concerns me. I really don't want to make a habit of this.

Jon

Jon Senior said:

The pedals are Shimano PD-M520s set to the default tension (I think my
cleats are probably worn!) and the bike is a 72". I don't want to drop
the gear too much as it'll make going down the hills round here that
much harder.

Jon

There those SPDs right ? My fixed is about 58", going downhill is
tediuos with the brakes on but i don't think I could manage the uphills
with much more that about 61"

MSeries said:

There those SPDs right ? My fixed is about 58", going downhill is
tediuos with the brakes on but i don't think I could manage the
uphills with much more that about 61"

Even I can get round on a 65" gear and I'm a right fat old git.

--
Andy Morris

AndyAtJinkasDotFreeserve.Co.UK

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