Originally Posted by
gearbasher
This thread reminds my of a scene in "Jaws". I've had more than my share of falls, so I'll just relay my last one. I was riding in a large group (25-30 cyclists). We were doing about 25 MPH, when two guys in front of me locked wheels and went down. I had no chance. I was watching them both sliding in front of me and I had no hole to shoot for. I did manage to avoid hitting one of the riders, but I nailed his bike right at the crankset. The next thing I remember was laying on the ground listening to someone moaning. Then I realized it was me. Well, one broken collar bone, 10 ribs, 3 vertebrae, a collapsed lung, 8 days in the hospital and 4 1/2 months off the bike wasn't fun. To add insult to injury, two weeks after getting back on the bike, I missed a step and broke my foot. Two more months of no riding. BTW: My Pinarello died.
As for the other falls: 1 busted pelvis, 1 femur, 22 stitches (all over 4 spills). Also, I went to the ER after being scratched by a rat while riding (a story for another time).
You need to take up rock climbing or some other low risk endeavor. In 3 decades of climbing I have only lost one finger.
Last edited by jan nikolajsen; 01-18-10 at 09:13 PM.