Fifty Plus (50+) - Club Tombay---Verification.

Club Tombay came about with Mad max deciding that a certain type of fall off the bike should receive some form of recognition. That type of fall would be attributed to failing to unclip from Clipless pedals when coming to a stop. The name was derived from a combination of the French verb "Tomber"- which means to fall- but putting an exclusive hint to it by changing it slightly to give an American slant. So Club TomBay was named. I would say formed but it had been running for many years- it just had not been named.

The membership was going to be exclusive and only permitted to those that had fallen off the bike due to a mechanical mishap-such as the pedals being adjusted too tight- or Brain Fade where you come to a stop and then realise that you should be putting a foot down- but forget. Most of these situations are accompanied by panic and swiftly followed by pain.

This is one club that most do not wish to join but once in you can be proud of yourself.

Bonus points are awarded for pics (Yet to be achieved) Blood- broken fingernails and the act being done in front of your friends whilst out on a ride- or your neighbours when in the vicinity of your home. Double Bonus points are awarded if you manage to entice offduty nurse(s) to come to your assistance.

Pics of the injuries sustained are required and it is hoped that these are limited to pics that will not put the poster in court for obscenity.

Think I have covered the points but if anyone can remember any additions that have been made over the years- perhaps you can add them on this thread.

I'm a member! Remembering to unclip before coming to a stop was my initiation.

Man, I have been a member since I first started using some of those very first white Look pedals back in 1986! I fell twice at stoplights because I was too used to pulling up and back with the toe clips, which doesn't work with the clipless! And I renewed my membership a couple years back when I couldn't pull out of too-tight SPD's in time. The thing about those mtb SPD cleats is that the more worn they get, the harder it gets to release!

That said, I REALLY prefer clipless. Back in the old days of toe straps, I never tightened the straps except in races. I just taught myself to keep my cleats on the pedals. And even if I did tighten the straps in races, my feet would still pull out on hard climbing efforts. Now I just inadvertently pull out if the pedals are set too loose. When I ride the track, the pedals are set to maximum tension! I've seen too often what happens when guys pull out in a hard sprint!

L.

Hate to admit membership. No pics, no pain, no blood. Just a bruised ego...

I'm a proud member without proof of pic. First fun time was when my dog walked in front of my bike and I stopped and went down. Second time was similarly when my grandson rode his bike in front of mine...and then did it again 5 minutes later. I went down both times. I knew something was wrong beyond my addled brain and found that my cleat was not tight and my shoes were twisting but the cleat was not so I could not unclip. The second fall tore my left shoulder rotator cuff.
Neither were as fun as my first fall with toe straps. My wife and I had a pair of new Trek 720/520 touring bikes and they were our first bikes and it was our first ride. We road down the street, came to a stop light and both said "shi^" and both fell over simultaneously.

Long term member, working on my second oaf-leaf cluster (f).

According to the boys at Cycling360, you can forestall a Tombay by offering a blood sacrifice to the cycling gods. We could use some volunteers.

Long term member, working on my second oaf-leaf cluster (f).

According to the boys at Cycling360, you can forestall a Tombay by offering a blood sacrifice to the cycling gods. We could use some volunteers.

I guess that bleeding while performing maintenance doesn't count??? My interpretation of Club Tombay membership didn't involve bicycle or surface conditions, just the mistake of the cyclist. My own bone breaking and cracking enrollment was caused because I didn't take the three seconds it could've taken to properly adjust my headlamp. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the street!

Brad

I get the bonus points. I hadn't been riding a road bike very long and my neighbors were really impressed with the distances I was riding when I switched from spd pedals to spd-sl and the first long ride I did was great til I got home and couldn't unclip right in front of the garage and the neighbors rushed over thinking maybe I'd had a heart attack. When they found out I was dumb enough to tie my feet to the pedals they just couldn't believe it.

Got in about 4 yeas ago. It took two events before I got a picture and it was of my left foot and blood slowly dripping ont my brand new Dura-Ace socks. It was my first outing with the guys in the a Group and they had all stopped behind me after one flatted. I went to put my foot down on the right, missed the curb and stepped in wet mud just to the outside and in correcting pushed off to my left....that was still attached and I did a slow roll with the right leg trying to flail myself upright. I failed, fell and laid there waiting for the laughing to stop. Got one picture and submitted it. "Member"

My best one predates clipless pedals. I had a pair of bike shoes that had clips on the soles that, with tightened toe straps, securely locked your feet to the pedals. Traffic lights required you to either plan well ahead or else to have good track standing skills. Before I gained a lot of experience with this combination I went for a ride with my 5 year old son. As we were riding along I spotted a friend on his front porch. After I rode up his driveway and came to a stop I came to the realization that I had failed to plan ahead. TomBay!

Not only had I embarassed both myself and my son, but I also discovered how difficult it can be to release myself from the pedals while lying on my side. I'm thinking it might have been 20 years before my son would ride with me again.

I haven't fallen with clipless, but when a friend and I got our first "10-speeds" together in the early 70s, we rode up the street and both fell over at the light with our feet in the toeclips.

Most embarrassing was when I was chatting up a co-ed when I was in college while nonchalantly leaning over my bike with one foot in the toe clip. I lost balance and had to do about 6-8 hops trying not to fall. Doing this, the leg on the ground which was hopping hammered my thigh into the bottom of the top tube.

She noticed the large bruise the next day with some concern and mostly muffled laughter...

I guess that bleeding while performing maintenance doesn't count??? My interpretation of Club Tombay membership didn't involve bicycle or surface conditions, just the mistake of the cyclist. My own bone breaking and cracking enrollment was caused because I didn't take the three seconds it could've taken to properly adjust my headlamp. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the street!

Brad

Yours was not a Tombay, but the gods accept your blood sacrifice as an atonement for those of us who should have tumbled (such should have been my fate today when I stalled out on a hill on my bent) but did not.

I thank you.

I haven't fallen with clipless, but when a friend and I got our first "10-speeds" together in the early 70s, we rode up the street and both fell over at the light with our feet in the toeclips.

Most embarrassing was when I was chatting up a co-ed when I was in college while nonchalantly leaning over my bike with one foot in the toe clip. I lost balance and had to do about 6-8 hops trying not to fall. Doing this, the leg on the ground which was hopping hammered my thigh into the bottom of the top tube.

She noticed the large bruise the next day with some concern and mostly muffled laughter...

I'd ask how she saw the bruises on your thigh but think it falls under the "WTMI Protocol" :D

There was thread awhile back in which there was a lot of argument, er discussion, about Tombay membership criteria. I think that Stap has nailed it pretty well.

..... Tombay membership criteria. I think that Stap has nailed it pretty well.
+1
3 'TomBays' in the first clipless month. None since. Don't like platforms anymore.

My initiation seemed dramatic at the time.

Riding a section of the Great River Trail with a steep slope on the right featuring rip-rap all the way down to the Mississippi River, I came to a stop on the far right to admire the scenery. Because of the hazard on the right I had thoughtfully released on the left. No problem. Except, as a matter of habit, I came to a stop leaning, yep, right. The rocks were big and nasty enough to stop me before hitting the water.

No pics, little blood and no ER trip, but might joining the club with one foot free be worth a partial bonus point?

Since I started riding with clips and cages in 1974, and now clipless, I have yet to join the club.

Now that I've jinxed myself in public, I'll be sure to carry first aid gear in my jersey... :-/

Since I started riding with clips and cages in 1974, and now clipless, I have yet to join the club.

Now that I've jinxed myself in public, I'll be sure to carry first aid gear in my jersey... :-/

And a camera for pictures of the cute nurses, the blood, gore and scenery are optional. :)

There was thread awhile back in which there was a lot of argument, er discussion, about Tombay membership criteria. I think that Stap has nailed it pretty well.

He not only nailed it, he did so eloquently and succinctly.


First joined in 2003, within my first month of returning to cycling. It appears I've renewed my membership about once every two years. I think about almost due for another renewal.

I think I joined, but do not have any proof. Other than why would I lie about falling down while clipped in? Most of which is from sudden stops. So I guess I have entered this club on multiple occasions. My favorite was trying to go across a road, on a bike bath, when a car came around a corner, and well I slammed on the brakes as hard as I could. Fell right in the middle of the road, in front of the car. Next time, I will just gun it, better chance of getting away than getting hit.

July, 2008. GF (at the time) was riding with me that day, and was kind enough to snap a picture before having her laff-fest.

237641

she is probably still chuckling.. that's a classic.

have a question... since falling once makes you a member in Club Tombay are multiple incidents going for the High Mileage grouping? Is there some reward for the extra credits?

July, 2008. GF (at the time) was riding with me that day, and was kind enough to snap a picture before having her laff-fest.

237641

How well we all know that position.

Member +2
One would have thought I'd have learned the first time. Of course each TomBay was about 25 years apart. First one at Hilton Head at a busy intersection. Second one again at a busy intersection. Guess I need an audience when TomBay-ing!

have a question... since falling once makes you a member in Club Tombay are multiple incidents going for the High Mileage grouping? Is there some reward for the extra credits?

I am thinking that there ought to be a graduation system to Club Tombay and I am still trying to think it out. But grade one- grade two- Recomendation etc.

July, 2008. GF (at the time) was riding with me that day, and was kind enough to snap a picture before having her laff-fest.

237641

Definitely worth bonus points.

Luis

Mine happened at rush hour at ASU campus in tempe in front of a zillion students crossing the crosswalk while I flailed away trying to extricate myself from those clips.

Mine happened at rush hour at ASU campus in tempe in front of a zillion students crossing the crosswalk while I flailed away trying to extricate myself from those clips.

100+ Tombay points if it was in front of a gorgeous co-Ed.

100- Tombay points if the co-Ed was your daughter.

Is there some reward for the extra credits?

It depends on how well you stick the landings but brain damage is a definite possibility.

Mountain biking and I had enough falls to empty the blood bank at the local Hospital. However since going road my only fall was due to not being clipped in. Along a path at Pevensey castle and a couple of old dears were dithering on the path. I unclipped ready to stop and they cleared the path. Put pressure on the pedal and the foot slipped off and over I went. Whilst they were enquiring if I was OK- I said I was looking at the flowers and the primrose that was right in front of my eyes was a rare form.

Got going again and looked back to see the pair of them stooping down to look at this rare primrose.

So the only fall of note in the last 6 years has been a "Non"Tombay due to it being caused by not being clipped in.

All past achievements and applications for Club Tombay have been annuled.

For entry into this exclusive club you will have to report any "NEW" incidents to the forum for creditation. It will then be appraised by the Forum and you will be awarded entry- or failure- to Club Tombay. I have taken it on my own back to award 3 Lifetime award and these can be viewed on

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/799468-Club-Tombay-achievement-award.

These awards are for meritous Falls in the past that cannot be ignored--plus the fact that if they attempt to enter in the future by riding recklessly- they may do themselves more serious damage that they did in gaining these awards in the first place. They no longer have to apply.

One modification to the rules-- It did not just have to be a fall by failing to unclip from clipless pedals. Clip and strap pedals can cause the same problem so they are now included in the criteria and under very exceptional circumstance- falls in which platform pedals are the cause can be put forward for appraisal.

You can apply for entry to Club Tombay by posting your incident on the forum under your own posting as there will not be a special posting for applications. It is then for Forum members to decide if you gain entry to this exclusive club.

Mountain biking and I had enough falls to empty the blood bank at the local Hospital. However since going road my only fall was due to not being clipped in. Along a path at Pevensey castle and a couple of old dears were dithering on the path. I unclipped ready to stop and they cleared the path. Put pressure on the pedal and the foot slipped off and over I went. Whilst they were enquiring if I was OK- I said I was looking at the flowers and the primrose that was right in front of my eyes was a rare form.

Got going again and looked back to see the pair of them stooping down to look at this rare primrose.

So the only fall of note in the last 6 years has been a "Non"Tombay due to it being caused by not being clipped in.


All past achievements and applications for Club Tombay have been annuled.

For entry into this exclusive club you will have to report any "NEW" incidents to the forum for creditation. It will then be appraised by the Forum and you will be awarded entry- or failure- to Club Tombay. I have taken it on my own back to award 3 Lifetime award and these can be viewed on

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/799468-Club-Tombay-achievement-award.

These awards are for meritous Falls in the past that cannot be ignored--plus the fact that if they attempt to enter in the future by riding recklessly- they may do themselves more serious damage that they did in gaining these awards in the first place. They no longer have to apply.

One modification to the rules-- It did not just have to be a fall by failing to unclip from clipless pedals. Clip and strap pedals can cause the same problem so they are now included in the criteria and under very exceptional circumstance- falls in which platform pedals are the cause can be put forward for appraisal.

You can apply for entry to Club Tombay by posting your incident on the forum under your own posting as there will not be a special posting for applications. It is then for Forum members to decide if you gain entry to this exclusive club.

Not so fast, Stap. You admit that your only entry is a non-tombay fall and then presume to install yourself as president of the club and impose all new rules? I don't think so.

Not so fast, Stap. You admit that your only entry is a non-tombay fall and then presume to install yourself as president of the club and impose all new rules? I don't think so.

Yeah, and I didn't fall for nuthin!

My fall cannot be attributed to Clipless pedals so does not count. It was a fall but nowhere near the criteria for application to Club Tombay.

I have taken over the role of "Sub- under secretary" till the Club gets instigated again and until the committee has formulated the rules and regs for the running of the club.

Got to have something to do in all that spare time I will have in my new job of "Estate Manager" that I take up on 1st April. And the fact that I have the DTP programme and can utilise it for the benefit of the club.

It does mean that we have to find a committee for the "Pie society" as to be involved in both will be difficult. This role is not difficult but can involve a few extra miles on the bike to work off the calories consumed in checking out the sometimes dubious postings we get that some seem to think of as Pie.

So volunteers wanted for this role- but don't apply unless you will be committed to those extra miles.

Got to have something to do in all that spare time I will have in my new job of "Estate Manager" that I take up on 1st April.

1st April - do you have an alternate name for that day in the UK?

In England it will forever be known as "Stapfam Retirement Day"

Bill

All past achievements and applications for Club Tombay have been annulled.

The more I think about this, the more I disagree with it. I earned my Club Tombay membership under the rules which existed at the time, and recall nothing in the bi-laws that suggested a future restructuring of the club could result in nullification of membership status. If this can be allowed to let stand, what's to stop some future whippersnapper who obviously has too much time on his hands from rescinding these so-called Lifetime Achievement Awards?

So, I will not be taking down my membership certificate from the walls in my bike cave any time soon. To do so, in my opinion, could easily arouse the antipathy of the Bike Gods, resulting in another Tombay incident. I do agree, however, that the three individuals who were cited for Lifetime Achievement Awards have earned such recognition, when you take into consideration their body of work.

I joined Club Tombay the old-fashioned way - I earned it. I'd suggest we call a meeting of all current (or so-called former) members of the club to gather for a pie meet-up and discuss this further. All in favor?

The more I think about this, the more I disagree with it. I earned my Club Tombay membership under the rules which existed at the time, and recall nothing in the bi-laws that suggested a future restructuring of the club could result in nullification of membership status.

It's just like "reinventing the company" Deege. "Your former jobs no longer exist but you can apply for an available job in the new company."

Your membership application has to be approved by a majority of Denver, Wobbly and me and, frankly Deege, it's not looking too good. You could spice up your application significantly by reposting some of your tasteful photographs of local San Diego fauna and list them as witnesses.

It's just like "reinventing the company" Deege. "Your former jobs no longer exist but you can apply for an available job in the new company."

Your membership application has to be approved by a majority of Denver, Wobbly and me and, frankly Deege, it's not looking too good. You could spice up your application significantly by reposting some of your tasteful photographs of local San Diego fauna and list them as witnesses.

Ah, so it's a conspiracy! :mad:

Now this is Evidence of entry into Club Tombay. Posted on You Tube by Bob Foster


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0JUtatO9D4

However the recipient is not a member of the 50+ forum and in fact has a few years to go before it could have counted

Ah, so it's a conspiracy! :mad:

You say that like it's a bad thing. I've never been on the fat cat end of a conspiracy before. Trust me, it feels completely different.

Question; bonus if you can roll over retaining feet in pedals of the bike and loooking like a turtle at the side of the road and your wife having to remove the bike from you? Been there! Only ego wounds!

Riding today, clipped in, for the first time. I was near the end of a 48 mile club ride and was starting a long climb. I was shifting to a smaller ring and threw the chain.

Bottom line, speed quickly decreased, I didn't unclip and fell over the curb onto a nice, soft grass surface. Nothing hurt but my pride.

That said, riding in clipless pedals is great. It is, a skill I have not completely mastered.

Riding today, clipped in, for the first time. I was near the end of a 48 mile club ride and was starting a long climb. I was shifting to a smaller ring and threw the chain.

Bottom line, speed quickly decreased, I didn't unclip and fell over the curb onto a nice, soft grass surface. Nothing hurt but my pride.

That said, riding in clipless pedals is great. It is, a skill I have not completely mastered.

Posting on a separate thread is required with a full description and pics required of bike to prove no damage and the rider.

My best one predates clipless pedals. I had a pair of bike shoes that had clips on the soles that, with tightened toe straps, securely locked your feet to the pedals. Traffic lights required you to either plan well ahead or else to have good track standing skills. Before I gained a lot of experience with this combination I went for a ride with my 5 year old son. As we were riding along I spotted a friend on his front porch. After I rode up his driveway and came to a stop I came to the realization that I had failed to plan ahead. TomBay!

Not only had I embarassed both myself and my son, but I also discovered how difficult it can be to release myself from the pedals while lying on my side. I'm thinking it might have been 20 years before my son would ride with me again.

I did the same on my only bike with clip/straps. My slotted shoes were held fast and I had to lean down to release the strap to pull out a foot. In my case I was slowing down on a slight incline and threw the FD into low. Unfortunately it wasn't tuned correctly and the chain dropped. Freewheeling the crank removed the remaining balance as I slowed to a crawl. The result was inevitable and I postponed it as long as possible. I went down in the intersection in front of a stopped car (at the cross street stop sign). The lady driver even got out and ran up to ask if I was alright. I did not have the prescience of mind to say anything witty.