jccaclimber

While it seems like a small bump the simple fact is that it shouldn't be there at all and that it coused an accident. I've also seen small grooves that you wouldn't normally feel throw a front wheel sideways into them. If that were in the middle of that smooth a road the people in cars would complain endlessly as it would act as a mild speed bump. The city should deal with it as they would any other issue. However, while there is some negligence (they did paint over it so it's not like they are about to fix it), asking for money is like asking for money when you trip on a crack in the sidewalk or scrape the bumper on a car with a steep ramp. I'm sorry to hear you hurt, and I do think that something should be done. Please post the conclusion to this. Heal fast.

Little Darwin

Anything unexpected can cause a fall... I took a jolt (but stayed up) Sunday just hitting a twig when I wasn't expecting it, and fiddling around.

I think I was having my leg pulled, but someone told me once in California that to make a claim concerning road issues you must personally:

1) Inform the authorities
2) Give them 24 hours to replace
then
3) Suffer damage after the waiting period.

My thought is that then they could claim that you knew the hazard was there, therefore you should have been able to avoid it...

munkyv22

That's MY signature passing position. Well, close. One hand adjusting the junk, one holding a cell phone up to my ear, while calling "On your left." and passing at 25ish. Oh the looks...

Kaneman

Damn you guys are hardcore. Nobody around here as ever had an accident ?

samsation7

Hey Ritterview,

The team is letting go of last year's Stanford jerseys for like 20 bucks a piece. I picked up a few. Sorry to hear about it.

Ritterview

Heck, that is a lot cheaper than what I paid at Menlo Velo! I had better get several since I am liable to fensestrate a few more, since I evidently am so much more accident prone my fellow BF posters.

There is no information at the Stanford Cycling Club website about the jerseys, how do I get in on the deal?

https://www.stanford.edu/group/cycling/index.shtml

DannoXYZ 

Yeah, we've all been there, done that. And after a while, just like pinched flats and bonking,
you learn what you can do personally how to avoid that kind of stuff ('cause no one else is gonna take care of you).

samsation7

LOl! Our Sponsor is ripping you off. I assume you're on the team with good standing? At the first team meeting this fall quarter, Evan said that there will be a new shipment of jerseys for the 06-07 road race season in spring. Of course, we still have a few bibs, windbreakers, armwarmers, and short sleeve jerseys from last year's. However, most the remaining kits come in size M small, W small, and M Extra Large. I wear medium but thought that I could fit a small with some hard training so I picked up a few small short sleeve jerseys. I got each for the stated price(which was really cheap). Just don't tell Evan I told you this and on an online forum at that!

Ritterview

Those jerseys run incredibly small. I wear Large in everything else, but XL was way tight, and I found that XXXL (which was all they had available) fit me in the shoulders perfectly.

Uh, not so fast. I am just an Alumnus wannabe, who figures if I am to wear a Stanford cycling jersey, it is best to wear an authentic Stanford Cycling Team jersey. Do you suggest I ought to pony up the $100 membership fee, get in on the clothing deals, and support the club directly instead of supporting the sponsor through overpriced kits? I would hate to disgrace the club any further by wearing the Stanford cycling jersey while taking multiple spills on bike lane hazards at which other BF members scoff.

samsation7

Check you PM!

Ritterview

I called up the City of Fresno and reported the pothole. They eventually fixed it. Now no one else need go down on this hazard (but, according to the BF posters above, it would serve 'em right if they did for not paying attention).

ZeCanon

get a freakin mountain bike...

You roadies crack me up. I'm amazed you don't fall over on a more regular basis.

prendrefeu

I hope you heal... but really? You've got it lucky.

LA Roads are akin to roads in Baghdad if you consider that road in Fresno dangerous. That may have been the smoothest road I've ever seen. And in terms of dangerous conditions, a rut is nothing. That's a given around here. On August 20th, I was taken out by ALGAE (yes, algae) growing prosperously among decaying leaves and standing water at an intersection that is along a designated bicycle route. People cross it all the time, and people fall often - cars peel out all the time, people walking slip and break their hip bones, bikes make it over so long as they go perpendicular and try not to stop (there is a stop sign right where the streams of water run)... The road condition has been like that for well over 30 years, and the city has done nothing to repair it. Unfortunately I had to take a quick angle at the approach so I wouldn't run into a car and I'm now on my 4th cast after severely breaking my left arm. I've now got two steel plates and bolts holding the bones together, and in need of physical therapy to recover after this cast gets eventually taken off. Haven't been on a bike, solo, since that day and I've only stoked on a tandem four times since. It's very depressing.

You're very lucky - I would've rather had road rash than this. Good luck with your grievences, count your blessings...

merlinextraligh

Sorry you fell.

Glad you came away without serious injury.

I too had the "that made you fall?" reaction. In fairness, that could make anyone fall if you caught it just wrong and unaware. Sometimes, even if you're a good bike handler, you get unlucky or just make a mistake.

That said, good riding technique, not locking you arms, and not over reacting when things happen can help you to not fall when you do come across something unexpected.

Not being there it would only be speculation whether squirrley riding contributed.

Again glad you came away in one piece.

spry

Ritter, I,m sorry the concensus here is not impressed with your rut photo.I believe you that by NorCal standards that is is truly a cool rut.
The "big picture" is the place you tore your jersey.
Dude,you did an olympic grade full gator to land like that.Not thats something to boast about,(dump the rut pictures),and you,ll be up there in status with Arnold.
I,m opening this Bud to toast you Mr.Rough Rider.

Dahon.Steve

LOL..... I wish my roads were as smooth as that bike lane. In New York City, we have monster ruts that never get fixed!

UmneyDurak

I think this post is a perfect example that if you are wearing Stanford Jersey your handling skills decrease by...
I kid I kid. Glad you are ok.

crydee

Who can I complain about in my city about all the "pot holes" of 1-2" circular holes with a plate that says WATER and then whole SEWER accesses that they only place in the bike lane? About construction crews that leave debris (nails, glass, fist size rocks) in the construction lane? Also I have to avoid a lot of dead animals that are rotting in bike lanes (Possums, racoons, ect). This isn't in a small city this is in the capital of "bike friendly" Florida. My wheels I use for the commute hate me.

OldGeezer

There are a lot more of these hazards along west Shaw avenue, too. I also dodge the same type of obstacle on Academy north of Sanger. Like the old TV show, Hill Street Blues used to say, "Let's be careful out there."