Neil_B

Ah, the first fall of 2008! This afternoon I clipped a bollard crossing Collegeville Road on the Skippack Trail. Fortunately, I tried to put a foot down, which reduced my momentum when I hit the pavement. I landed on both hands and knees, and my long-fingered gloves and tights took the road rash for me. The bike seems to be OK, and I'm fine, although I'm going to feel sore tomorrow. I have some swelling in my right knee, and some sting in my palms.

Despite the fall, I completed 13 miles on the new Skippack Trail network of trails. That's the whole thing, more or less. I got back to my car just as this evening's storm began to move in.

beingtxstate

Man I hate falls, especially in colder weather! Hope you're not too sore tomorrow, and better luck next time

stevesurf

Sorry to hear about the fall/glad you're ok! Is that a paved MUP?

DieselDan

Bollard? Any relation to collard?

Neil_B

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollard

And if you'd like to see the one that brought me down:

Neil_B

Yes, although there were very few people on the MUP today. It was five minutes after the crash before I met someone, and I was already rolling again by then.

Tom Stormcrowe

Ouch! That had to sting a tad.

How ya feeling today?

flip18436572

Sorry to hear about the fall. Hope everything is better. I am glad to hear someone else is riding.

DieselDan

I was just looking for an excuse to post the picture of my daughter in her bike jersey holding a collard leaf. I'm sorry to hear about the fall and hope you feel better.

bautieri

How long did that take?


So other than the tumble was the new trail network enjoyable? Any points of interest along the trail to share?

Bau

Neil_B

Like a typical middle aged man with structural problems. I'll probably return to being atypical tomorrow. :-)

Tom Stormcrowe

Just be glad your head didn't hit the trail......

That hard head of yours might have put a pothole in the trail and you've had to pay for the repair

Neil_B

The Skippack Trail is an initiative of Skippack Township. It links to the Perkiomen Trail near Graterford, follows PECO right of way up a climb and into the township's Palmer Park, and then splits into two. One branch resumes following the power lines into Evansburg State Park, and the other runs into the Village of Skippack. Skippack is like New Hope, PA, without the Delaware River; antiques, arts, crafts, fine dining, theater, all in a historic rural setting. The Village is a favorite mid-point of a number of Bicycle Club of Philadelphia rides, not just because of the food, but because the area is farmland and gently rolling hills.

The trail is still a work in progress. There's not enough signage, particularly on the branch leading to Skippack. At times it wasn't clear where the trail picked up after a street crossing. Some of the turns are very tight for a bicycle, particularly in Palmer Park. And I've mention my problem with one of the bollards. Pedestrians oftentimes don't move when you call "on the left." And horses use the trail, so there's an occasional road apple to avoid. Still, it was a nice ride. Of the two branches, the one into the Village of Skippack is the more enjoyable ride, since it's longer and more scenic. But Evensburg State Park has MTB trails, so some folks will put up with riding around the power lines to go there.

The township's train information page:

https://skippacktownship.org/TrailInfo.htm

A videotape of the the trail to Evansburg Park:

https://bcgp.blogspot.com/2007/11/ski...ail-video.html

unixpro

You procrastinator. I got my first fall out of the way on the second of January. I probably would have done it on the first, but I didn't ride that day

10 Wheels

Your Outcome was better than mine.
Crashed straight into a vertical curb at 9 PM. Five nights ago.
I had a 3 cell flashlight mounted under the road bikes handle bars.
The brake failed to close when it jammed against the flashlight.
The Bike Stopped, I went over the bars, Landed on my gloved hands in the dirt.
What Was That, I thought?
I was U-turning to look at treadmill a neighbor had placed by the curb.
Hit the curb about 4 mph.
$20 bill from LBS to True the front rim and lube the hub.
I didn’t get injured, just a bruise on the inside of my left knee.
My last Bike accident before This One was 50 years ago.
Fred