Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Tired Legs and Clipless = First Battle Scar

This past weekend I did some good riding. On Saturday did about 36 miles but pretty flat. I rode at a pretty good pace, my best yet (15.1 mph average). The organizer of the group I ride with invited me to do the hilly Palos Verdes Loop with her. We got to the Trump gold course in PV at about the 20 mile mark. Between the riding the day before and the hills and miles on Sunday, I admit my legs were a tad tired. I was hydrating with both H2O and NUUN enhanced H20, plus Powerbar Energy Blasts and Welch's fruit snacks during the ride.

At the golf course, I fell over twice. Once in the parking lot because I was going too slow and tried to do too tight a turn to turn around...and went down. No biggie, more embarassing than anything.

So we eat a bit and hydrate, then decide to take off. I mentioned something sounded funny on my bike but wasn't sure if I was just hearing things. We go up the hill to get to the parking area from where the restroom is....and go to turn left off the path to the parking area and BAM! I go down. I don't know what happened. This time the bike got scratched up pretty good...and I got some road rash on my left shin and a bruise on my left hip.

The chain came off the crank at some point (LBS said it was not the reason I fell....I'm not so sure as I had heard an odd noise before and after we got the chain back on and inspected the bike...I heard no more odd noises the rest of the ride...Hmmmmm) We finished the rest of the ride (about 32 miles total for Sunday...with lots of climbing for me).

Here is the bike: (I felt for cracks in the frame immediately and did a visual....) Don't feel a crack and will have my dealer do a more thorough check before I go riding again, but I think it is OK, just looks terrible. I was nearly in tears.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/OUCH.jpg

Sorry to hear that. It will get easier with time. My wife clipped in for the first time, fell twice in 12 miles, has not been on the bike since...

Bummer, but the first scratch had to happen. Glad you're ok and not letting it keep you off the bike. You're wise to have it checked, but I would think that's more for your peace of mind than anything. I don't think you'll find any problem and that Trek will offer you many years and many miles of great memories and stories.

Sorry to hear that. Someone once told me that scratches are just a sign of life. So I rejoice! :)

After a hard ride, make sure to recover properly. Post ride recovry is very important and often not taken seriously.

Won't keep me off the bike....

Sorry to hear that. It will get easier with time. My wife clipped in for the first time, fell twice in 12 miles, has not been on the bike since...

Falling tends to change a persons mind about the purported virtues clipless.........

It happens. Bikes are supposed to have battlescars anyhow. It shows that you ride it!!!

Falling tends to change a persons mind about the purported virtues clipless.........

Nobody likes a crusader.

I've yet to spill on my SPDs. Part of the reason is I feel it would leave me with a permanent disability. Also. I'm not interested in an achey bone notifying me every time it's about to rain. I've had a couple close calls, though.
One last week when we set off to late and ended up riding home in the dark. I didn't see the gooden gate clocking cars from turning onto the bike path until I was about 3 feet away from it. Luckily I avoided it and my natural spastic flail happened to match the motion required to unclip. I survided that incident but had a closer call when I was riding along a road, lost focus for one second and found myself in the grass on the side of the road heading toward a shallow ditch with tall grass veiling what deadly obstacals might be at the bottom. Luckily I was able to slow down without loosing control and remembered to unclip just before I came to a stop again, avoiding a life altering incident.

People fall on platform pedals too, not to mention toe clips.

Matter of fact, my most embarassing fall ever was with toe clips.

You could avoid falling by walking too. :rolleyes:

I had a clip-out fail a couple of weeks ago. First one ever. Between climbing a very short but very steep hill and trying to unclip my right foot (leg with no hamstring), I just didn't have the strength to twist, even though my pedals are setup very loose. Over I went. Oh well. Gave the guy standing there a good laugh. Note to self....unclip left from now on, at least until my right leg figures out what it's doing.

People fall on platform pedals too, not to mention toe clips.

Matter of fact, my most embarassing fall ever was with toe clips.

You could avoid falling by walking too. :rolleyes:

I don't know people ages here, but to date myself, I rode a LOT in high school. This was before "clipless" pedals. We wore hard soled shoes that had a groove cut in the bottom. That grove dropped over the trailing edge of platform pedals, then the to strap locked your foot in. There was no unclipping. You had to unstrap. If you had the strap tight enough, and you didn't unstrap, your foot was NOT coming out of that cage, no matter what. I never toppled, but my friend/riding partner fell over behind me quite a bit. It stopped surprising me after a while.

My worst fall actually happened on my MTB as I was approaching my home. I was trying to open my garage door as I approached on the sidewalk so I could ride right in...but it was not opening...and my Xterra in the driveway sitting across the sidewalk was fast approaching...so I hit the brakes hard. In my mind, it was the rear brakes as on my motorcycle the front brake is operated by my right hand so in my head my left hand was operating the "rear" on the bike. Unfortunately I was wrong. My left was operating the FRONT brake which normally I know when I am riding the bicycle. I went over the handlebars. The bar ends I had on my bike went into my leg and I broke one of them. I had a nasty bruise but no other injuries. I got lucky. This was a totally unclipped accident too.

The clipless pedals were not truly the issue here IMHO. It was my inexperience riding a road bike (only have had it since April 6) and my being a bit tired.

Some people re-route their cables to match those of their motorcycle.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/792051-Which-side-do-you-run-your-front-brake?highlight=rear+front+motorcycle

Some people re-route their cables to match those of their motorcycle.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/792051-Which-side-do-you-run-your-front-brake?highlight=rear+front+motorcycle

Interesting. Only thing is that on a motorcycle the rear brake is your right foot...

My true issue was that I was fiddling with the garage remote with my right hand and only had my left hand on the grips. I will leave them as is as I don't see that happening again...Ha Ha Ha

I don't know people ages here, but to date myself, I rode a LOT in high school. This was before "clipless" pedals. We wore hard soled shoes that had a groove cut in the bottom. That grove dropped over the trailing edge of platform pedals, then the to strap locked your foot in. There was no unclipping. You had to unstrap. If you had the strap tight enough, and you didn't unstrap, your foot was NOT coming out of that cage, no matter what. I never toppled, but my friend/riding partner fell over behind me quite a bit. It stopped surprising me after a while.

My Trek 500 (1983) had the type of pedals that used that sort of road shoe/clip. I never had bike shoes until after I moved to California and I got a pair to wear while riding. I rode the SGRT back in 1989-1993 when I had those shoes. And so I know what you are talking about. Guess that tells you a bit how old I am. Ha Ha Ha....

I also NEVER fell over EVER on that bike clipped in or not.

my natural spastic flail happened to match the motion required to unclip.

:lol:


Trojan: "People fall on platform pedals too"

-Oh HELL YEAH! Cant tell you the amount of times I completely racked myself on my BMX bike as a kid. Plus there was the old kick-the-crank-around shin destroyer. I have had WAY more accidents with platform pedals. In fact I have had infinitely more problems with platforms because I haven't had a signle SPD accident yet. (How is that for tempting fate?)

And if we want to go back to when I was a kid...on my single speed imitation Schwinn a friend and I were riding double down a the street and both of us were pedalling...we got going too fast, her foot came off and kicked mine off...into the front wheel. Over we went. I had road rash all over my abdomen...she landed mostly on me and got a scraped hand. She was balling her eyes out and I was really scared she was really hurt. She went home and I walked my bike home (was unrideable due to damage to front wheel/fork). I parked the bike, went inside to my room and WAITED for the call from her mom to mine telling on me. The call never came...thank goodness...my mom would have skinned me alive. I never rode that bike again. I didn't want to get in trouble for "breaking it" and so it sat. We moved shortly after and I let the movers take the blame for the damage when we got to where we moved to. (I was 10)

We moved shortly after and I let the movers take the blame for the damage when we got to where we moved to. (I was 10)

:lol:

When we choose to travel on two wheels we accept that the danger of falling is just part of the deal. We can work on our bike handling skills and be careful, but we WILL fall down, at some point. Glad you're OK. Sorry about the bike! But now the worst is over - the first good (bad!) scratch. As I get older I have to say that trikes hold more and more appeal for me!

Nobody likes a crusader.

Or someone who hijacks every pedal thread to perpetuate the crusade.

Nightshade--we all know your feelings by now. You're entitled to them. Most of the rest of us are tired of you beating this dead horse. Please stop hijacking these threads.

Some people re-route their cables to match those of their motorcycle.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/792051-Which-side-do-you-run-your-front-brake?highlight=rear+front+motorcycle

Most people do it not because of motorcycles, but because they are right-handed and the front brake is much more powerful than the rear.

:lol:


Trojan: "People fall on platform pedals too"

-Oh HELL YEAH! Cant tell you the amount of times I completely racked myself on my BMX bike as a kid. Plus there was the old kick-the-crank-around shin destroyer. I have had WAY more accidents with platform pedals. In fact I have had infinitely more problems with platforms because I haven't had a signle SPD accident yet. (How is that for tempting fate?)

Yeah. Honestly I've smarted my shins so much with platforms, I'll gladly take the 2 minor falls I've had in clipless over nearly bi-daily shin crushings.

Or someone who hijacks every pedal thread to perpetuate the crusade.

Nightshade--we all know your feelings by now. You're entitled to them. Most of the rest of us are tired of you beating this dead horse. Please stop hijacking these threads.

+1

Whatever thrill being a complete tool on every thread gets you, get over it & either grow up, shut up or go away. It's tiresome.

I started my "serious" cycling in the late '80s with cheap thin leather Detto Pietro shoes with cleats that you had to drill holes for in the soles. The cleat had a straight slot running across it, which mated with the trailing edge of the pedal, plus toe clips and straps to cinch everything down nice and tight. Every time I'd start up I'd reach down to pull the straps tight, and every time I came to a stop I'd reach down to loosen them. Coming from that background, I was on those first-generation Looks like white on rice. What a godsend. I've never had a second thought since, other than to occasionally debate which different brand/style/format to go with.

As far as Nightshade's crusade is concerned, I'd ask that everyone lighten up a little, please. The forum is an open marketplace of ideas. Each of us has their own preferences, and we all espouse them enthusiastically.

As far as Nightshade's crusade is concerned, I'd ask that everyone lighten up a little, please. The forum is an open marketplace of ideas. Each of us has their own preferences, and we all espouse them enthusiastically.

Agree. I have seen previous posts with his opinion and I can see his point. I certainly did not take offense to his posting on this thread.

Congrats on the falls and scratches. Now that those are out of the way you can just ride and not worry. Hope you get the bike noise figured out. I like a quiet bike, noise makes me think something is wrong. Actually sorry about the scratches, but they were inevitable.

Maybe its just me and my mountain bike, but I fall lots less with pinned platforms. Clipless scares me now! shudder

The forum is an open marketplace of ideas. Each of us has their own preferences, and we all espouse them enthusiastically.

Yes, and repeatedly. Like the twins in The Shining...espousing forever and ever and ever...

Maybe its just me and my mountain bike, but I fall lots less with pinned platforms. Clipless scares me now! shudder

What do you think about Power Grips? I had some on my hybrid...I've been threatening to put them onto my mtb...but since I actually want to do some mountain biking, I'm thinking I might leave them off.

Falling tends to change a persons mind about the purported virtues clipless.........

I guess all the people on platform pedals that fall should stick to walking? What about all the people that drive cars that have accidents? Should they stick to teleportation machines?

Falling rarely tends to change a persons mind about the purported virtues clipless.........

FTFY.......there are a number of people on the forums who have talked about falling while wearing clipless and very few have changed their minds about the virtues of clipless.

As far as Nightshade's crusade is concerned, I'd ask that everyone lighten up a little, please. The forum is an open marketplace of ideas. Each of us has their own preferences, and we all espouse them enthusiastically.

Sometimes the best thing to do is use the ignore button. Others say it doesn't work but if you know how, it does. Heck, I put 7 interacting posters on ignore and had the entire 41 deleted on my menu and it's been a much better site to visit. Not having interest in what any of them have to say is the butter on the popcorn.:D

BG, that scratch breaks my heart!:(

Sorry sorry about the scratch! I got one on mine in January, a few months after I got the bike, but on one of my early clipless rides. Three dogs and I got tangled. I tore my pretty shoe and scratched the bike.

A couple of weeks ago I did a 30 mile ride and then a 50 the next day. I was really wiped out during the 50. At the last rest a few miles from home I had a really hard time clipping in. Brain did not want to talk to foot.

I started my "serious" cycling in the late '80s with cheap thin leather Detto Pietro shoes with cleats that you had to drill holes for in the soles. The cleat had a straight slot running across it, which mated with the trailing edge of the pedal, plus toe clips and straps to cinch everything down nice and tight. Every time I'd start up I'd reach down to pull the straps tight, and every time I came to a stop I'd reach down to loosen them. Coming from that background, I was on those first-generation Looks like white on rice. What a godsend. I've never had a second thought since, other than to occasionally debate which different brand/style/format to go with.

As far as Nightshade's crusade is concerned, I'd ask that everyone lighten up a little, please. The forum is an open marketplace of ideas. Each of us has their own preferences, and we all espouse them enthusiastically.


Agree. I have seen previous posts with his opinion and I can see his point. I certainly did not take offense to his posting on this thread.

Thank you for stating the obvious. That being......I have just as much right to state my view point , as long as I do it in a polite manner, as anyone else has to state theirs.

Those that object are either immature,selfish or question their own cycling judgement none of which I have anything to do with.

Update: I am absolutely heartbroken and sick. Finally had time to have my LBS people look at my bike thoroughly. The area on the rear chainstay has delaminated. They showed me how the sound is different on the part of the chainstay that is undamaged with the part that IS damaged. They won't go as far as to say it is unrideable but they recommend replacing the frame. The bike is LESS than 60 days old. I am absolutely sick. :cry:

My particular bike frame is not available separately except for warranty replacement. As this is a crash replacement I can't have one of those frames. So my options are: 1. Upgrade to the 4.5 at approx $1000 for the frame and swap over the components etc. OR 2. Replace entire bike...they send the damaged frame to Trek and I keep the rest for future use to build up another bike for about $1200

I am seriously thinking option 2 as that would give me a chance to get another bike later on or put one together for my husband.

But right now I just want to frigging cry.

Beach, I am so sorry about the news. :( I don't know anything about that kind of damage, but I hope some of the more experienced riders on here have some advice for you. I hope that it all works out for you in the end......

Update: I am absolutely heartbroken and sick. Finally had time to have my LBS people look at my bike thoroughly. The area on the rear chainstay has delaminated. They showed me how the sound is different on the part of the chainstay that is undamaged with the part that IS damaged. They won't go as far as to say it is unrideable but they recommend replacing the frame. The bike is LESS than 60 days old. I am absolutely sick. :cry:

My particular bike frame is not available separately except for warranty replacement. As this is a crash replacement I can't have one of those frames. So my options are: 1. Upgrade to the 4.5 at approx $1000 for the frame and swap over the components etc. OR 2. Replace entire bike...they send the damaged frame to Trek and I keep the rest for future use to build up another bike for about $1200

I am seriously thinking option 2 as that would give me a chance to get another bike later on or put one together for my husband.

But right now I just want to frigging cry.

Oh wow! I am so sorry.

My first (and last) fall with clipless was a bad one that required medical attention. The resulting contusion on my thigh and hip kept me off the bike for a week, but it could have been worse. I tried to unclip approaching the garage door, as I had done many times before, and the shoe just wouldn't unclip. I decided to change back to platforms for a while, but I've never gone back.

I bike primarily for fun and conditioning, so giving up the mechanical advantage of clipless isn't such a big deal. I've invested in top notch platforms (~$100/bike) to avoid unnecessary resistance, and they work great. With more freedom to change position of my feet on the pedals, I think there is less stress over a long ride on my bad knees.

The downside to abandoning clipless: my ego wanted me to wear them and they did add power to the stroke. I feel a little dorky riding a nifty bike with platforms. In the grand scheme of things, however, riding without the worry of a serious fall is worth it.

Option 3. Consider having the frame repaired by a composite frame shop.

Stop crying grasshopper. There is hope.

http://www.bicycling.com/maintenance/repair-maintenance/resurrection-calfees-carbon-frame-repair

I hear great things about ruckus I can tell you before I replaced my carbon frame I would at least call them.

I know several Ti frame builders are using them to add rack or fender mounts to carbon forks. And on their website and Facebook page they have photos of before and after frame repairs...looks great in the pictures anyway

Thank you for stating the obvious.

Thank you for being so gracious.

Beachgrad, what is the latest status?

My worst fall actually happened on my MTB as I was approaching my home. I was trying to open my garage door as I approached on the sidewalk so I could ride right in...but it was not opening...and my Xterra in the driveway sitting across the sidewalk was fast approaching...so I hit the brakes hard..


that just sounds like you have a brain implosion for a second, kinda like when you put the milk in the cupboard and the bowls in the fridge..... only with more splat and cursing :)

Still mulling over options.

Repair is an option however due to fact bike is still new (got it 4/6/12)...I want a frame that has a warranty and the current frame is no longer covered due to crash damage...repair would be warrantied but not the whole frame. So for cost of repair, I don't feel that is my best option.

I am trying to decide which way to go...new whole bike same as one I have now or just frame which would mean upgrade to frame from current model. Torn....I like the upgrade frame idea just not the colors (really love my current paint scheme) but if I go full bike, I'd have parts to build another bike with later.

Trying to understand what option two is? The lbs is going to give you a new replacement bike for 1200?

And you keep all the takeoff parts?

Trying to understand what option two is? The lbs is going to give you a new replacement bike for 1200?

And you keep all the takeoff parts?

Yes, that is what they are talking of. Will know more about my options and $ involved on Tue after holiday. Will update with better info then.

Ok here is what I decided. New frame set. Upgraded to the 4.7 Madone. $1150 includes tax, shipping and build up of bike...and fitting.

Did I miss something or is the MSRP on that bike over 3K? I guess Trek took care of you?

Is your chain stay damaged? As in unrideable? Or you just want more security than knowing it's possibly flawed?

Think she just bought the frame

Sorry wasn't clear...complete 4.7 bike is over $3K....I'm just getting the frame/fork...and putting my 3.1 components on it. Not sure how great a deal I got but I feel it was reasonable considering what te full 4.7 gets for.