Commuting - Cracked my helmet in a wipe out on the way to work Tuesday!

Well, after 3 full years of commuting year round in Wisconsin. I finally had a very hard fall. I fall numerous times during the winter, due to the ice on the paths that are not maintained. However, this happened a mile from home on the road. I swapped my nokian studs out for a lighted tire, thinking the ice wouldnt be so bad coming home monday night. After getting home, I knew it was a mistake to take the nokians off. Well, Tuesday I got up - set out in the darkness, going downhill, I wanted to release the headshok on my cannondale - took my right hand off, hit a small patch of ice. Before I knew it, I was down with my shoulder hitting then the smack of my helmet hitting and cracking. I laid there for a minute, collected my thoughts and I was back to the ride. Just shows, you have to be thinking every moment during the winter commutes. I didnt have my nokians on , but I also didnt have my front light installed yet - just a bright blinky. The damm is is terrible right now, mix of rain and snow all December!

Ouch! Sure hope you heal up fast. Really sucks getting injured right before the holidays.

Nikos, I'm sorry you took that fall! At least you are ok, and you are more educated for it. I've learned a few lessons that way, myself. Still, sometimes you fall no matter what.

Better to have cracked your helmet than your head! Since you did crack your helmet though, don't be cheap, go and get a new helmet ASAP.

Glad to hear you're OK... Might also look into your helmet mfgr's replacement policy, might be cheap enough if you like your current helmet to get the same one for a small fee.

I swapped out my Nokian studded front tire today since the temps were warm (mid 40s) and it was supposed to rain today in NJ so the trails were mostly melted and the snow was mostly melted such that it's not hardpack ice and the ground was actually coming up in the ATV tracks so no need for studs here

Jay

Thats why Wisconsin sucks

Thats why Wisconsin sucks

Oh my. :(

I wondered why the wind blew so hard here in MN, now I know. The Urban myth had it that Iowa sucked.

Wait a second...I'm from Iowa.

I haven't biked to work in two weeks due to the icy/snow conditions. My entire commute is along the shoulder of a highway, and although I have studded tires, my fear of death keeps off the road until the shoulders melt. Usually this only takes a day or two, but it has been weeks since I have seen a dry shoulder. Snowed again last night, so it looks like it could be a few more days. Bummer.

Stick with the Nokians, Niko.

Yeah, I have extra helmets. Im used to falling quite a bit during the mountain bike season, but usually I know when Im going down, this was so fast - didnt have time to react, maybe that was better. Usually I find (well the fall I took last week) that the slipping occurs, then the anxiety - then down. So, other than the freaky smack of my head/helmet - it wasnt to bad.

Glad to hear you are ok. Now get out there and ride. :)