Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

IT finally happened...

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

IT finally happened...

Old 07-05-10, 10:46 AM
  #1  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
IT finally happened...

I never thought I would be making this post...I never WANTED to make this post...but it finally happened...

I crashed.

I was riding along the side of a road (not on the shoulder, but about 5 inches left of the white line). A guy on a chopper was riding along about 5 or so feet in front of me going about 25. I had just finished a set of intervals and was trying to catch my breath so I was coasting down a small hill at around 24 mph.

All of the sudden, with absolutely NO warning, the idiot on the motorcycle decides that he wants to turn right. No signal, no hand gesture, nothing. I slammed on my brakes, and my rear wheel slid out from underneath me. I fish tailed for about 3-4 feet before my front wheel slipped and I went down.

The idiot stops right after turning, looks back at me, and calls me a "****ing ******" then speeds off.

Damage report:
- Scratched/dented my right side Dura-Ace brifter
- Destroyed my BRAND NEW (got them as a gift 2 days ago) Look Keo Carbons
- Destroyed a pair of hammer bibs (right ass area torn off Hausler style)
- Horrible road rash all over my right arm
- Lost a pair of Jawbones: I had just taken them off and put them in my helmet because I was sweating profusely. They must have fallen off when I fell and I just didn't notice/was too shaken up to notice.
- Scratches on the bikes frame. Seems to have not cracked anywhere, but I will thoroughly inspect it later.

What a ****ty way to start the day.

Last edited by Blackdays; 07-05-10 at 10:50 AM.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:48 AM
  #2  
Gimme back my gears!
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,327

Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Black days indeed
CyciumX is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:49 AM
  #3  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
2 bad crashes back to back. Maybe I should take a break
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:52 AM
  #4  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The worst part might have been my ride home.

I was riding on a pretty busy road with my ass hanging out and blood all over me. I got a few whistles from a car full of elderly women though so I guess there's that.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:53 AM
  #5  
Gimme back my gears!
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,327

Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You're only as rich as the toys you can afford to break.... buy some cheaper stuff and keep riding man! This is a test of will power.

Shame about the biker though...what a ******!
CyciumX is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:54 AM
  #6  
Gimme back my gears!
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,327

Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Blackdays
....my ass hanging out and blood all over me. I got a few whistles from a car full of elderly women though so I guess there's that.
They like it kinky over there in PA, huh?
CyciumX is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:55 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
mzeffex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 9,458

Bikes: Something Canadian, something Italian, something American, and something German

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 64 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times in 10 Posts
That sucks man, it's even worse when the guy is an ass about it. Heal quick, and sorry about your loss of parts.
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Are they talking about spectators feeding the cyclists? You know, like don't feed the bears?
mzeffex is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:57 AM
  #8  
Gimme back my gears!
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,327

Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I wouldn't worry about the "brifter" too much. That is gonna happen even if you don't fall sooner or later if you ride enough.

Both Keos broke? Time to switch pedals.... I wouldn't want every fall I had to result in a 300 dollar loss
CyciumX is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:57 AM
  #9  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CyciumX
They like it kinky over there in PA, huh?
I guess some like it rough.

I'll try to get some pics up, my friend took a few so I'll get them off him as I have no camera and my phone is a dinosaur.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 10:59 AM
  #10  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CyciumX
I wouldn't worry about the "brifter" too much. That is gonna happen even if you don't fall sooner or later if you ride enough.

Both Keos broke? Time to switch pedals.... I wouldn't want every fall I had to result in a 300 dollar loss
Nah just the right one. My left one is still flawless.

I have a pair of old Keo classics that are going back on.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 11:00 AM
  #11  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by mzeffex
That sucks man, it's even worse when the guy is an ass about it. Heal quick, and sorry about your loss of parts.
Thank you sir.

I was really taken aback by the guys reaction. I really did think he was going to apologize, but I guess having my sexuality insulted is fine too.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 11:06 AM
  #12  
Bike Junkie
 
roccobike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
Posts: 9,622

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 68 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 37 Times in 27 Posts
That's terrible. Most guys on motorcycles that I've run into identify with road bikers and give us plenty of room and respect. I'm glad you're OK, nothing broken. The bike stuff can be replaced. Hope the frame is OK too.
__________________
Roccobike BF Official Thread Terminator
roccobike is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 11:12 AM
  #13  
Senior Member
 
colombo357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Murica
Posts: 2,284
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 120 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by Blackdays
I was riding along the side of a road (not on the shoulder, but about 5 inches left of the white line). A guy on a chopper was riding along about 5 or so feet in front of me going about 25. I had just finished a set of intervals and was trying to catch my breath so I was coasting down a small hill at around 24 mph.
Legally, you were tailgating the biker. Sorry but it was your own fault.

I sympathize with the sh**ty outcome, but I'm not going to go as far as to say you were right and he was wrong. You were wrong and he was an ass. Let's leave it at that.
colombo357 is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 11:14 AM
  #14  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by colombo357
Legally, you were tailgating the biker. Sorry but it was your own fault.

I sympathize with the sh**ty outcome, but I'm not going to go as far as to say you were right and he was wrong. You were wrong and he was an ass. Let's leave it at that.
I'm not going to dispute that.

It was really, really hot and I was on the verge of death after the last set of intervals so my mind really wasn't working.

So...you're probably right.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 11:19 AM
  #15  
Gimme back my gears!
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,327

Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yeah... messing up is bad enough.. having someone compound it with a crap attitude is exponentially worse.
CyciumX is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 11:23 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
colombo357's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Murica
Posts: 2,284
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 120 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times in 12 Posts
If it's any consolation, the biker will probably get himself killed within the next 5 years. Had a semi been tailing him, he would've gone down and been crushed. Had another biker been tailing him, he may have been shot.
colombo357 is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 12:53 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 121
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
damn thats a much worse day then mine. I had a flat 2 1/2 miles from home (no prob just throw in my extra tube). Nope didnt work. the tube has a leak about 1 1/2" from valve stem. Okay so i tear the tube in half and tie a knot. After trying to stuff the tube in (with a knot) i pinch it with my tire levers and have to walk home 2 1/2 miles.
..

Well road rash heals. keep riding. Sorry for the idiot on your ride though. Most of the times it's people who mess up the ride not so much the falls, bruises, scrapes, numb Knuts, ...

Heal Quickly and RIDE ON!!
JPH3 is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 01:03 PM
  #18  
Older than dirt
 
CCrew's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 5,342

Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Sucks.... Glad you're ok though. At the end of the day the bike is just a piece of machinery and can be replaced.
CCrew is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 01:36 PM
  #19  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CCrew
Sucks.... Glad you're ok though. At the end of the day the bike is just a piece of machinery and can be replaced.
Not on my minimum wage college boy job it can't

I need a new pair of sunglasses. The Jawbones were amazing and I might just stick with them, but I'm also considering the Radar.

Anyone have any experience with the latter?
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 02:26 PM
  #20  
umd
Banned
 
umd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Should have gone left around him...
umd is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 02:33 PM
  #21  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by umd
Should have gone left around him...
There was a lot I could of done. I just wasn't thinking.

I'm not even blaming the guy so much as blaming myself.
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 04:17 PM
  #22  
.
 
Namenda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: "The Woo", MA
Posts: 4,831
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
If its any consolation, the guy was probably riding that "chopper" to compensate for a...shortcoming of some sort. There, don't you feel better?

Sad story. The lost sunglasses is the worst part.
Namenda is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 08:23 PM
  #23  
on your left.
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 1,802

Bikes: Scott SUB 30, Backtrax MTB

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
sucks man! heal up!

...where did you crash, and what color are those Jawbones?
nahh is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 08:27 PM
  #24  
Boom.
Thread Starter
 
Blackdays's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco
Posts: 2,523
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
They were Retina Burn Jawbones. I loved those things : (
Blackdays is offline  
Old 07-05-10, 08:30 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: New York
Posts: 164
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Sorry to hear it man - happens to the best off us -heal fast
Aussie_Al is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.