A couple of days ago, I had my first crash in over a year of regular cycling. As these things go it was fairly minor, more of a falling over than a proper crash. But today I did it properly.
It was a classic “front wheel slips away” event and I went down on my left shoulder. It was several seconds before I felt like moving again and when I did I was sorry I hadn’t waited a bit longer! My shoulder was very painful and I could hardly move it. I think I may even have dislocated it slightly, because when I “did a Riggs” and pushed it backwards, there was a bit of crunching and the pain (mostly) went away.
Can you see the skidmarks?
I think my chin was the second impact point as it’s skinned nicely and looks silly. The beard may have to be sacrificed temporarily to get it cleaned up properly. My helmet’s sun visor was scraped, muddy and knocked loose, so I suspect the helmet saved me from a full-on tarmac headbutt. I’ve lost skin from knees and elbows too.
Bent Handlebars
The bike buried itself in the foliage and mud at the side of the path but suffered only minor damage. I had to straighten the handlebars, realign the brakes and reset the back wheel into it’s quick release clamp, but after those few roadside repairs it was good to go again. Needless to say, the remaining 7 miles of commute was taken at an easy pace.
I’ll be contacting Sustrans and Newtownabbey Council to see if they’ll consider laying some high friction surface on the short section of the Newtownabbey Way that goes through the Monkstown Woods. Even in dry weather it remains slippery with moss and is treacherous even on a mountain bike. I think I’ve learned my lesson now and I don’t think I’ll be back along that path by road bike if there has been any rain at all in the recent past, which is a shame as it’s such a pleasant route.
Bit of a shitter there mate! Hope they can clean it up for you and glad the bike is OK.
As for the beard – it’ll grow back.
What, nothing broken? – Go back and fall off properly ;)
Glad you’re not too badly hurt.
Been there, done that, got the four inch scar to prove it. I’d rather not repeat it, if that’s OK!
Sounds painful – its been a while since my last fall but the worst ones always happen when you least expect it!
OUCH! Don’t really care about the scar (LOL) the main question is, HOW’S THE BIKE ? :)
The bike is in better shape than I am. It thanks you for your concern.
You’ll be pleased to know that at least you’re being fashionable. I was reading the Telegraph in the chinese last night, and apparently Noel Thompson went flying off his bike on the Comber Greenway and injured himself. He said his helmet had saved his life. Why was your crash not in the paper? Read all the gory details here.
I’m waiting to see what Sustrans and Newtownabbey Council have to say about the state of the Newtownabbey Way before I contact the papers.
Quoting from your link, Noel Thompson describing his accident:
I agree with his urging all cyclists to wear helmets. I’ve seen and had too many crashes to ride without one myself, and as I’ve said above I think my most recent crash would have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for my helmet.