Originally Posted by
JSChance
Could definitly be the time somewhere around 12 years old, early stages of bike mechanic tinkering. I had adjusted the handlebar stem on my stingray and took it out for a test run (my parent's house stood at the top of a large hill). I started pedaling down the hill when I realized the virtue of tightening stem bolts. The bars pulled loose in my hand and I did my best Superman impersonation when the front wheel flipped perpendicular to the frame (and direction of travel). Ended up with stitches in my left knee and an assortment of bumps and scrapes.
I did something similar....although I wasn't messing with the stem. I was going down a hill at top speed (20 or so, but it felt much faster) and went into the grass to (Huffy mountain bike from Walmart or BJs) make the turn and hit a clump of grass that turned the front wheel 90 degrees. I basically rolled over the front and at some point let go of the handlebars and the bike ended up in the street about 15-20 feet away.
Friend behind me slammed on his brakes and told me he was following along and then saw just a cloud of dust....a few scraps, sore ego (among other things).
Until riding out here in CA, that was the last time I wore a helmet when riding my bike. I felt it made me to reckless; of course, I won't go more than 10 mph without a helmet. Go figure....