Fifty Plus (50+) - Over the Handlebars I Went

It was a nice warm (relatively speaking) day yesterday here in Austin, Texas, so I headed out at about 1:30pm on my usual ride north on Parmer Lane / Reagan Blvd. At the top of a hill I decided to take a short detour off the road to read a sign on the gate to a ranch. As I headed back to the road, I looked both ways to see if there was any traffic coming, then I looked where my front tire was headed. At the end of the gravel driveway right at the edge of the pavement was a pothole. It was too late to swerve right or left, my front tire dropped into the pothole and came to an immediate halt. Unfortunately, I and the rest of the bike continued forward right over the handlebars. Down I went with the bike on top of me. No major damage, just a bruise on my left palm and left knee, and a few minor scratches on the bike. The good news is that I was able to put the chain back on the complete my ride. I don’t know if age has anything to do with it or not, but you have got to keep your eyes and ears open and ready for anything. Accidents seem to happen when you least expect them to. Ride carefully, but ride!

-Spoke

Glad you're not hurt. I had two brain fades today on a nice 40F day here in Oklahoma. Bout ran into my mate the fiirst time. Ten minutes later I about ran into the bar ditch. These old Peugeots are twitchy things if you're not paying full attention.

Be careful out there!

Tyson

.................... Accidents seem to happen when you least expect them to. Ride carefully, but ride!

-Spoke


That's why they call them ACCIDENTS!

-just riding along looking out for my next accident-

one of the reasons I ride with others is "Just in case". I mainly ride offroad, so the occasional off is to be expected. Especially as the only place on a ride that I excel is downhill. Luckily, in the 15 years I have been offroading, I have only had two falls that hurt.
Over the bars is not a common occurence for me, but it does happen occasionally. Last time was a couple of years ago when I was with a group of 5. As usual I was the last one in line along a very wet, very muddy track. Gradually the others showed me the line NOT to take as they slipped off the bikes or stopped in axle deep mud. Got nearly to the end of the trail with only one rider in front of me and he skewed off sideways into deep mud. Only 20 yards to go and only one route left to take through the ruts and a massive great big puddle. Power on and go for it. the other riders were cheering me on, when everything went a bit fuzzy. The Deep puddle had a big root in the middle of it. Front wheel stopped and straight over. The only thing I knew was that it suddenly got very cold, and as I have said, very fuzzy. The water was only 18" deep, but I did a perfect back flop straight in and fully under. Surprising part was that other than being covered in Clay, I was perfectly dry.
If you must keep falling off the bike, and then worry about it, get more practice in, but make certain you have others around to pick up the pieces. Or at least pick up the pieces when they eventually stop laughing

Compliments on the courage to climb back on and finish the ride! Keep the Spirit!!!

My cycling buds call the over the handlebar manuveur, dental acrobatics
We've all done it, some with serious results usually requiring big bux at the dentist
some of us with HUGE damage to our egos, most commonally treated with immediate applications of humor

That is the reason I ride a LWB recumbent. It is nearly impossible for me to go over the handlebars.

That is the reason I ride a LWB recumbent. It is nearly impossible for me to go over the handlebars.

Farting is your greatest danger. :)

Begone Zombie!

This one is a Walking Dead Thread, indeed.

This one is a Walking Dead Thread, indeed.
Over 6 years dormant, and still it returns! Surely must be a record. :lol:

Half the guys who started this thread have died of old age by now, haven't they?

Have you ever gone over the handlebars, and it all suddenly goes into slow motion? Strangest thing...

Half the guys who started this thread have died of old age by now, haven't they?



Now that was funny.

Begone Zombie!

Ash will take care of it.

http://silverunderground.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BruceCampbellArmyofDarknessC10101910.jpeg



And the zombie thread sinks slowly back under the mire.

/closed