Road Cycling - Crashed First day on my new bike

I purchased a Lemond Zurich. Beleive it or not I crached on my first trip out. Tire went into a railroad groove and flipped me over. My Shimano Utegra STI's got totaly banged up as well as my face. Landed on my cheekbone. Thank god I did not get hurt seriously just some major road rash on almost every single part of my body.

I purchased a Lemond Zurich. Beleive it or not I crached on my first trip out. Tire went into a railroad groove and flipped me over. My Shimano Utegra STI's got totaly banged up as well as my face. Landed on my cheekbone. Thank god I did not get hurt seriously just some major road rash on almost every single part of my body.

Did you approach the tracks at a shallow angle?

ouch. glad your dude, pitty bout the 1st day thing tho. dont let it get u down, once your cleaned up and got the bike back in order get str8 back out there :D

Easy for you to say mate !

been there, stacked bikes cracked ribs, broken fingers and destroyed deraaileurs, so yer it is easy for me to say mate :P

arielgo, sorry to hear that. good to hear ur not too badly bangged up. for me, whenever i am heading toward the railroad track... i slow the speed down and get me arse off the seat and let it float over the railroad track.

Yet another reason why it's cool to live in a city that has trams. You learn from a young age that, yes, tram tracks have grooves in them conveniently the size of a road bike tire, and yes, if you ride parallel to them you're asking for trouble. Simple physics really.

The only thing that bothers me is when motorists don't fully understand why I'm taking the lane so as to cross at a larger angle of attack those tracks that intersect at an acute angle. I always try and be very animated about the whole deal (signalling a lane-claim, waving of arms behind my back to indicate tracks) so that they get the idea but I will still sometimes get honks and shouts.

Sorry to here about the crash on your baby. When I went down in a pace line, the rider behind me ran over me. Im better now but I still having troubles finding the little parts and getting my bike back to its orgional self. It still has a few war wounds. Better luck on your next ride. " Beware " of Tracks, sand, gravel, glass, dogs, and good looking babes.

There are two sets of RR Xings here that will kill you if you don't cross them perfectly perpendicular. To do so you have to almost use both lanes. One is so deceptive, you are better just getting off and walking over it.

Good luck getting you (and your bike) healed up and back on the road.

Sorry to hear about the crash, that definately sucks. Hope you are able to get back to riding soon.


good looking babes.

Those are definately the most dangerous!

Thanks for the support. I went back out yesterday and did 20 miles. This time I approached the rail rod tracks just like it's referenced here.