jinxed riding partners?
08-27-06, 10:47 PM
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jinxed riding partners?
just got to wondering if anyone else have riding partners like this?
Been riding bikes for years, with only a couple of very mild slip and fall type accidents when I first moved up to michigan and learned how to ride in the snow (I've found snow can actually be pretty enjoyable to ride in) commuted to work 30 miles each way for a couple years on the bike, made untold rides from grand rapids to pierson mi, allegan, muskegon and holland, simply because I didn't feel like driveing, and I have no idea how many times I've left for a short ride that turn out to be 75 or 80 mile cruises, all with no accidents, and only a couple flats.
But I recently started to ride regularly with my son-in-law, have gone on maybe a dozen rides of decent length with him, and have ended up in mild to wild accidents 6 times, only one that was obviously someone elses fault, that time a driver pulled out of an apartment complex, blew the stop sign, This was the type of situation where if he'd have kept moving I'd have yelled at him and kept going, but he finaly looked, saw us and hit the brakes right in front of me, managed to somehow get the bike sideways and caved in his door with my hip, (if I can, I never hit head on in/on anything) no injury or pain so I let it go.
A few days ago, cruising along a boardwalk I've ridden hundreds of times, front tire slipped on a patch of goo (melted icecream, or a HUGE bird dropping by the look of it) and I went off the side of the boardwalk and down 4 feet to to land flat on my back in some fortunately soft, unfortunately very smelly and wet swamp mud, again no serious harm done, other than a scuff on the sidewall of my new tire.
after that, my pedal hit the curb and bounced me and the bike over sideways and I went sprawling (another place I've ridden hundreds of times without incident! a dip in the curb that has a strong uphill behind it so you have to crank to make it up) may not have been his fault though, since I had just put wider cranks on the bike
today, riding over to his house with him, (after an ealier and enjoyable 25 mile solo boredom cruise) again riding a trail I've ridden thousands of times, I hit a short vehicle blocking post (maybe 10 inches tall with no reflectors or anything same grey color as the tarmac, lights never showed it till I was on it, calling the county parks/trails people in the morning) right dead on, bent the forks back so perfectly straight that as far as ride there's no indication other than slightly quicker steering and only 1/4" clearance between tire and frame.
I've had four flats riding with him, and quite a few unexplained minor breakdowns to go along with all the above fun.
Realy am curious to see if others have the same things happen with certain people they ride with or if it's just me.
Somehow I've gotten him interested in long distance rides, and he's hoping to do the musketawa trail this month and then the white pine trail to cadillac later on, and frankly it's got me terrified.
Ken.
Been riding bikes for years, with only a couple of very mild slip and fall type accidents when I first moved up to michigan and learned how to ride in the snow (I've found snow can actually be pretty enjoyable to ride in) commuted to work 30 miles each way for a couple years on the bike, made untold rides from grand rapids to pierson mi, allegan, muskegon and holland, simply because I didn't feel like driveing, and I have no idea how many times I've left for a short ride that turn out to be 75 or 80 mile cruises, all with no accidents, and only a couple flats.
But I recently started to ride regularly with my son-in-law, have gone on maybe a dozen rides of decent length with him, and have ended up in mild to wild accidents 6 times, only one that was obviously someone elses fault, that time a driver pulled out of an apartment complex, blew the stop sign, This was the type of situation where if he'd have kept moving I'd have yelled at him and kept going, but he finaly looked, saw us and hit the brakes right in front of me, managed to somehow get the bike sideways and caved in his door with my hip, (if I can, I never hit head on in/on anything) no injury or pain so I let it go.
A few days ago, cruising along a boardwalk I've ridden hundreds of times, front tire slipped on a patch of goo (melted icecream, or a HUGE bird dropping by the look of it) and I went off the side of the boardwalk and down 4 feet to to land flat on my back in some fortunately soft, unfortunately very smelly and wet swamp mud, again no serious harm done, other than a scuff on the sidewall of my new tire.
after that, my pedal hit the curb and bounced me and the bike over sideways and I went sprawling (another place I've ridden hundreds of times without incident! a dip in the curb that has a strong uphill behind it so you have to crank to make it up) may not have been his fault though, since I had just put wider cranks on the bike
today, riding over to his house with him, (after an ealier and enjoyable 25 mile solo boredom cruise) again riding a trail I've ridden thousands of times, I hit a short vehicle blocking post (maybe 10 inches tall with no reflectors or anything same grey color as the tarmac, lights never showed it till I was on it, calling the county parks/trails people in the morning) right dead on, bent the forks back so perfectly straight that as far as ride there's no indication other than slightly quicker steering and only 1/4" clearance between tire and frame.
I've had four flats riding with him, and quite a few unexplained minor breakdowns to go along with all the above fun.
Realy am curious to see if others have the same things happen with certain people they ride with or if it's just me.
Somehow I've gotten him interested in long distance rides, and he's hoping to do the musketawa trail this month and then the white pine trail to cadillac later on, and frankly it's got me terrified.
Ken.
08-27-06, 11:02 PM
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YES!! His name is Dan and he is dangerous. He always crashes and then I crash. Something ALWAYS happens to me when he is there. It's all his fault I tellya. The guy is out to get me. It makes him look good if I am the one who crashes.
08-27-06, 11:03 PM
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YES!! His name is Dan and he is dangerous. He always crashes and then I crash. Something ALWAYS happens to me when he is there. It's all his fault I tellya. He rides a Cannondale (blechhh!) The guy is out to get me. It makes him look good if I am the one who crashes.
08-28-06, 03:12 PM
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Maybe distraction? If you are not having problems on solo rides but are when you're with him. Maybe his riding style is throwing you off?
I've had a couple of minor confusions at intersections with my wife when I normally ride alone. Not knowing which way the other one is turning, stopping when she is going etc.)
I've had a couple of minor confusions at intersections with my wife when I normally ride alone. Not knowing which way the other one is turning, stopping when she is going etc.)
08-28-06, 04:16 PM
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Yeah, that's my feeling too, I think I'm subconciously giving him room instead of taking the normal track I'd use if riding solo.
Just wish he'd be courteous and take some of the bumps for me, I'm 45 and don't bounce quite as well as I used too!
Don't feel quite so bad about the post in the trail now, my other son-in-law hit the same pole a few hours later.
ken.
Just wish he'd be courteous and take some of the bumps for me, I'm 45 and don't bounce quite as well as I used too!
Don't feel quite so bad about the post in the trail now, my other son-in-law hit the same pole a few hours later.
ken.
