so i know that some of you fix and flip bikes on here a lot. i'm guilty of it as well. It's fun and great to support your C&V addictions.
Anyways on with my story. I was just putting the finishing touches on a bike today. It's probably around the 45-50th bike i've done this year. I just finished tuning the gears. I pulled it off the park stand and checked all the screws to make sure they were tight and whatnot and away i went on a quick test ride around the block.
The ride was going fine and all until i decided to do the "give'er test". I stood up and just pedaled really hard and put some muscle into it, i usually do this to make sure everything still works under load and whatnot.
The next thing i know it, i flew onto the pavement, tucked my right arm in and took most of the fall on my knee and right hand and knuckles. A little bit of blood and a really swollen knee was the outcome. But when i fell i ended up on my back with the bike perfectly ontop of me as if i was riding upside down, so i was kinda lucky, they bike was still fine no scratches, unlike me on the other hand. I ended up throwing the bike over onto the grass boulevard and then rolled and hobbled off the street and onto the grass and laid there for about 10-15 mins until the pain in my knee would go away. Good thing no one saw cause it would be kinda embarassing. then i got up and walked home with the bike.
Anyways so how'd this all happen?! I remember checking all the screws like the brake cables and derailleurs and whatnot. But what didn't i check?! the rear quick release. I remember now that i took off the wheel to put new tires on the bike, it looked like it was tightened, but i wasn't enough. So when i got up to stand pedal and give her hell, the rear wheel came loose and locked up inside the rear trangle and the next thing i knew, i was on an Air Canada flight, destination pain/pavement. Let this be a reminder to all of you! check everything!! twice over if you have to. This is the first time in my career of bike flipping anything this bad has happened on a test ride so it shows that anything can happen, I used to be like, "yup, another awesomely fixed/rehabbed bike job done once again", I guess i was getting a little cocky, but now i'll be a little more alert.
that's about all i have to say, i'm gonna go shower now, it's gonna be fun cause of all the cuts on my right hand, knuckles and knee, this may sting a little, then i'm gonna hobble my ass into bed and go to sleep. that is after i go and do a CL and ebay scan
feel free to share some embarrassing stories as well..