Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - My first whipe out

Well, I had my first whipe out on my new bike. 30 miles into my first road bike, and I finally have a war story. It's kinda funny actually. More, user error. Here is that story:

I admit, that I'm not the brightest crayon in the box, but I'm not dumb. I just seem to find myself in dumb situations that call for an "Idiot" stamp on the forehead. I do know to ride with traffic, and walk against traffic. For further reference.

The way to work is only about 5 miles, but it has a lot of hills. Taking a left on a back road was my initiative, but first I had to cross the street. I drop my left arm (going ~20mph at this point) to be able to turn and look behind me without steering off course (I've turned this into an art-form).

This is where it gets ugly. I start heading across the street, but what I forgot, is that my left foot was down and my right up. I think you all can figure out what happened here. Leaning to the left to cross, the left pedal strikes the ground, throwing my left foot off the pedal and taking the aluminum pedal to the shin.

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/7613/1000387tq4.th.jpg (http://img68.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000387tq4.jpg)

As you can see, it hurt. BAD! I'm ok though. The sweat dripping in the wounds did not help at all.

Forgot some other detail. As I was stumbling, my 6'6" body looked something like a new born giraffe trying to run for the first time but less graceful.

Ouch! Glad you are ok!

Just know that like most of us, you'll come to a stop and not be able to get your feet out of the pedals and go straight over....

Just know that like most of us, you'll come to a stop and not be able to get your feet out of the pedals and go straight over....

Why would that be the case, when he's pretty clearly using platforms?

Why would that be the case, when he's pretty clearly using platforms?

Actually, that's not at all clear.

I'm glad it wasn't worse.

Actually, that's not at all clear.

I'm glad it wasn't worse.

Those looked more like 'platform' marks than clipless marks to me. And I'm glad too that it wasn't worse.

Forgot some other detail. As I was stumbling, my 6'6" body looked something like a new born giraffe trying to run for the first time but less graceful.

Did you at least remain upright? Then you are ahead of the game. Sorry you had your accident.

glad youre not dead. haha, nice story

Actually, that's not at all clear.

the left pedal strikes the ground, throwing my left foot off the pedal and taking the aluminum pedal to the shin.

Seems clear to me. Ain't no big deal though. Just goes to show you that you can find ways to hurt yourself with any kind of pedal ;-)

Nice. I also had a pedal bash in my early riding days. You learn real quick.

I was using standard pedals. I don't have the right shoes to be using clips. I did stay upright the entire time, just lost my balance for a few seconds there. The most embarrassing part about it, was that people saw me do it.

Actually, from what you describe, there would be no embarrassment about it. People that saw it likely marveled you didn't take a complete spill.I was using standard pedals. I don't have the right shoes to be using clips. I did stay upright the entire time, just lost my balance for a few seconds there. The most embarrassing part about it, was that people saw me do it.

Although where I come from that wouldn't constitute the name "wipeout" I'll go ahead and give it to you cuz you got some nice war scarring out of it :)

Wipeout definitions may vary.
In the small town I grew up in a wipe out involved eating pavement.

Don't worry about it. Off road I'm content with falling into a giant pile of stinging nettles every ten miles. Anyway, chicks dig scars.