Flying over the handlebars
#26
Senior Member
The obvious answer is to look where you are going, and be prepared with the brakes. OTB hitting a wall is really only your fault.
As to falling, yes, I guess practice is what counts. If you have been involved in any form of contact sport in the past, falling to reduce injury potential does come more naturally. The important thing to avoid broken hands, wrists and/or arms is to not put them to break your fall. Rolling with arms and head tucked in seems like simple advice, but it's difficult to remember in a split second unless you have practiced to overcome the natural urge to put arms out. And landing on shoulders with a direct hit can result in shattered collar bones or dislocated joints (as me about the latter).
I remember when I was a kid, consigned to my room for some misdemeanour, I would take running jumps at my bed and practice those sorts of landing. Later, as a field hockey goalkeeper, I had to make an art form of sprawling from a running start.
So the idea of a mattress on the ground isn't so silly afterall. Try a trampoline maybe -- take leap at it from a low balcony or something, or just bounce and get used to how your body lands. Maybe with snow season coming up, try it in snow (check there are not logs or boulders underneath). Try something at a local gym -- they have mats for gymnastics and on-floor exercises.
Next best bet might be at a swimming pool, practising similar sort of movement. A summer bit of fun with a long piece of plastic with a hose and detergent down a hill also can teach you a bit about body and arm position.
Oh, and if you are going to make a habit of this while riding your bike, wear a bike helmet.
As to falling, yes, I guess practice is what counts. If you have been involved in any form of contact sport in the past, falling to reduce injury potential does come more naturally. The important thing to avoid broken hands, wrists and/or arms is to not put them to break your fall. Rolling with arms and head tucked in seems like simple advice, but it's difficult to remember in a split second unless you have practiced to overcome the natural urge to put arms out. And landing on shoulders with a direct hit can result in shattered collar bones or dislocated joints (as me about the latter).
I remember when I was a kid, consigned to my room for some misdemeanour, I would take running jumps at my bed and practice those sorts of landing. Later, as a field hockey goalkeeper, I had to make an art form of sprawling from a running start.
So the idea of a mattress on the ground isn't so silly afterall. Try a trampoline maybe -- take leap at it from a low balcony or something, or just bounce and get used to how your body lands. Maybe with snow season coming up, try it in snow (check there are not logs or boulders underneath). Try something at a local gym -- they have mats for gymnastics and on-floor exercises.
Next best bet might be at a swimming pool, practising similar sort of movement. A summer bit of fun with a long piece of plastic with a hose and detergent down a hill also can teach you a bit about body and arm position.
Oh, and if you are going to make a habit of this while riding your bike, wear a bike helmet.
#27
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#29
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Today I flew over my handlebars when I struck a wall in the parking garage. Fortunately, I was moving slowly and was able to absorb the impact without breaking any bones.
I'd like to be better prepared for the next time. Can anybody provide guidance on how to position yourself to minimize the damage?
Reluctant Flyer
I'd like to be better prepared for the next time. Can anybody provide guidance on how to position yourself to minimize the damage?
Reluctant Flyer
But if you know you are about to hit a wall, the better strategy is the not hit the wall.
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I prefer otb by hitting giant concrete landscaping planters. You fly over the bars then get to land in nice flowers. (disclaimer): do not do this with the parks&rec maintenance workers present.
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Unless you are a mountain biker or a racer, consider a long wheel base recumbent. You wont go over the handle bars, and arrive at the wall feet first.
#33
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No, you just fall on your side, break a wrist, or maybe a hip, or maybe a tailbone. Don't believe me on the last one? I will put you in touch with an American bent rider who fell off on a slippery road at PBP2007.
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There is always the exception, but the fact remains, not flying over the handle bars, and crashing feet first instead of head first is a better deal.
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#42
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Would not such equipment offer some degree of additional safety, no matter how insignificant? Seems like only an idiot would do without wearing such additional protection if he considers foot crashing a better deal than not crashing at all.
#43
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How many times did you go over the handlebars (and I am very specific about over the handlebars, not to the side) when you were riding those horribly uncomfortable diamond-frame bikes you didn't know how to adjust and equip properly?
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In my younger days when I rode offroad mostly, I never really felt like my bike was own until I went over the bars. These days, I don't typically ride in a way that would put me over the bars.
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Do you wear Styrofoam protective gear around your feet to protect them in case of such feet crashing incidents? If not, why not?
Would not such equipment offer some degree of additional safety, no matter how insignificant? Seems like only an idiot would do without wearing such additional protection if he considers foot crashing a better deal than not crashing at all.
Would not such equipment offer some degree of additional safety, no matter how insignificant? Seems like only an idiot would do without wearing such additional protection if he considers foot crashing a better deal than not crashing at all.
#46
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I'm suggesting that it only makes good sense of the type that you frequently post, that cyclists who plan to crash feet first into static objects and are also obsessed with the protective properties of Styrofoam would wrap their feet in Styrofoam, just in case. And frequently nag everybody else to do so too.
#49
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Is the troll convention in town?
Beer helps. It doesn't prevent you from going OTB but having a few afterward will make you feel better.
Beer helps. It doesn't prevent you from going OTB but having a few afterward will make you feel better.
Last edited by BlazingPedals; 08-15-17 at 06:46 PM.