lphilpot

Why junior? Well, I don't use clipless (yet, at least), just toe clips. But I kinda had a Tombay-ish experience today.

A friend and I took a 35 mile round trip -- or I should say, out and back -- ride this morning. At the halfway point, we stopped for a few minutes in a church parking lot. Upon getting ready to leave, I put my right foot in its home and was about to do the same with the left as I pulled out.

My memory of exactly what transpired next, and in what order, is a bit fuzzy, but I remember tilting over to the left and thinking, "I should put my left foot down on that little curb" (one of those yellow concrete curbs at the head of a parking slot). Whether my left foot was actually in the clip and hung, or whether my leg just refused to submit to my brain's instructions is unclear, but next thing I know I'm hitting the concrete on my left side with the bike on top of me and my right foot still in the clip.

My friend had a quizzical look on his face, as if thinking, "Why did he do that?" (I was wondering the same thing!), but at least he didn't laugh. Of course, the moment I hit the pavement, my left (bottom) calf muscle decided to cramp up solid, so I was lying there with my bike on top of me, trying to extricate myself and stretch my leg out before it curled up like a dead spider's appendage.

All I have to show for this was a bit of dirt on the left drop, a tiny bit of rash on my ankle and a hip that's getting sorer by the hour (I've already taken Aleve).

Do I qualify for membership, or does my lack of cleats leave me out in the cold?

Other than that and a bit of wind at times, it was a pretty nice ride on country roads. I decided to let up on kidding my friend too much about riding a 'bent , since there was ample 'ammunition in his magazine', as it were, should he decide to use it.

stapfam

Sounds good but where were the nurses to render first aid?- the pics of the damage to yourself? and you haven't stated that the bike was damaged/destroyed/ unscathed after you allowed it to hit the ground.

Normal procedure is to get other members to yay or nay the application so see what the verdict is.

And you do not have to be using clipless pedals for it to be a Tombay although they are the normal cause.. Brain fade and other situations can have the same end result with platform pedals.

lphilpot

I was wondering the same thing myself!?!


Sorry... here you go (sensitive viewers should exercise caution)



That was taken after extensive treatment.


Well, I sort of alluded to it:

> All I have to show for this was a bit of dirt on the left drop, a tiny bit of rash on my ankle and a hip that's getting sorer by the hour (I've already taken Aleve).
In addition, the left (el Cheapo Wellgo) pedal sustained a bit of scrape. Maybe that's a sign to replace the pedals?


In that case I'll throw myself on the mercy of the court.


Tell me about it...

billydonn

Tombay Type B

Retro Grouch 

So there were no student nurses to witness the fall, your riding buddy didn't laugh at you, and all you got was a bit of dirt on the handlebar. You call that a Tombay?

Find some less sensitive riding buddies and, the next time you fall, keep a firm grip on the handlebar so you don't scuff your handlebar tape. Actually, we don't really care if there are student nurses to witness your fall but, if they're hot, we want photos.

lphilpot

Sir, Yes Sir!

(I always respect my elders! )

DnvrFox

I would suggest that he qualifies for a Club Tomba - an incomplete Tombay, or perhaps a Club Yabmot - a reverse or backwarrds Tombay. But a FULL Tombay - NEVER!!

BlazingPedals

Pics or it didn't happen. (Pics of the pie will suffice.)

lphilpot

I just had a Nutty Bar... will that do?

Bikey Mikey

Blasphemy!!!

Retro Grouch 

And he claims to come from the land of good food.

Dudelsack 

We can grant anything if enough money changes hands.

lphilpot

Moderation and balance in all things... I also had homemade gumbo the other evening.

El Segundo

Uhh...Nutty Bars don't count!? And are there different levels of Tombay? So much to learn.

stapfam

Facts.

Fall was on a bike when the bike was at a standstill or stopping.

The rider has no recollection of whether the foot was engaged on the pedal or not and "Brain Fade" is one of the contributory factors for acceptance into Club Tombay.

Damage to the person was sustained in a graze and bruising to the hip and more important he hasn't shown pics of the hip. (Pics of members with their pants down would get the forum closed down)

Minuses- No Nurses- no Sympathetic bystanders and no mates rolling about with laughter but I doubt that a bent rider would worry about riders coming down to their level occasionally.

At least the bike was not damaged to a serious extent and he was man enough to get back on the bike to check it out for damage.

For these reasons I am accepting your application into Club Tombay with an honourable mention

Dudelsack 

I sense a payoff.

lphilpot

I'm honored to be counted among such august company!

Now, if I can just avoid doing it again, all things considered...

stapfam

Why Anyone should be honoured to gain Entry into Club Tomber is a mystery to me. All you have to do now is progress upwards to earn a grade 1 certificate but if you get anywhere near one of those- you will be off the bike for a Loooong time.