I'm 52. Started riding about 6 weeks ago after a 30+ year layoff. Bought a near-mint '84 Trek 400 and with a few mechanical interruptions - front derailleur broke, had to replace the rear wheel, etc. - I've been riding 3 to 4 days a week, slowly building my mileage. I've also been slowing adding accessories, week by week. A helmet, gloves, and just today put on a great mirror that I ordered from rivbike.com a week or more ago.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/show...-mirror/20-177
Today I decided to ride a new-to-me 20 mile route. Rode about 8 miles and turned onto a brand new repaved road that has - get THIS! - bike lanes on both sides!!! It's only the 2nd one in our whole town, that's why I was excited about it.
I rode on it for about a 1/2 mile and - stupid and careless on my part - rode OFF of the bike lane to the right hand side. Obviously I had relaxed and wasn't paying attention - DUH. Well, of course the new pavement was 3" to 4" higher than the shoulder, and in that split instant (when I should have just braked and come to a stop), instead I tried to get back on the road and - yup, you guessed it, I SPRAWLED. Fell with my arms extended and landed on my right side. My hip is slightly bruised. My knee has a small scrape on it - no big deal. But my RIBS??? Ouch!!!
It took my breath, I hit so hard. Got up, made sure nothing was broken, looked my bike over (chain came off, one small scrape) and walked to some shade where I could sit down and catch my breath and get over being shook up. Here's the fun part of the story... I've ridden 145 miles this month and only passed 3 cyclists in that entire time. I had barely sat on the ground when a cyclist rode up and said "Are you alright?" Of COURSE someone who rides 25 miles every day on his Trek carbon-fiber bike and has all of the cool gear would SEE me fall.
Almost called my wife to bring my truck and pick me up, I was hurting so bad... but decided to get back on the bike and finish the journey. It was uncomfortable and I had to grit it out but I did make it home.
Now? I like my Tylenol and Ibuprofrin a LOT! Feels like a knife is stuck in my side when I turn the wrong way, but I'll get better.
I'd read here recently that you need to wear gloves because "if you haven't wrecked, you will eventually." They saved my hands today... and I just got 'em last week.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Gary
Albany, GA