My First Crash Report
06-15-08 | 02:39 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Bike Fun Fanatic
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 650
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: 2020 Trek Checkpoint ALR5, 2012 Surly Disc Trucker
My First Crash Report
I got intimate with the pavement for the first time on my road bike today. I'm fine, but only because my helmet did its job.
It was a silly, low-speed crash. I was taking a left turn at a traffic light, was signaling with my left arm, and cornered too hard. I was going about 10 MPH or so. The bike went down underneath me, I kind of flopped over on my right side, hit the pavement with my right shoulder and helmet-protected head, and then my legs flew up over me and I landed on my left side. When the world stopped spinning, I immediately got up and dragged my bike out of the intersection, as there were cars still waiting for the light to change. Waited for a couple of light cycles before I attempted to retrieve my water bottles. One driver stopped to ask if I was ok, which I appreciated but gave him the thumbs-up.
As far as my bike is concerned, I bent my left brifter and threw my front wheel way out of true. My bar tape surprisingly looks fine. I rode back the 8 miles or so with my front brake QR opened. I'm really grateful that my first crash wasn't a big traumatic experience, and that I was able to get right back on the bike and keep riding.
When I got home, I noted that I have a couple of small bits of road rash on my elbow and knee, and what look like a couple of tiny blood blisters on my forehead. My right shoulder is sore but I can move it through its full range of motion without any serious pain. My helmet (a $30 Giro Transfer) has a nice compressed area on it where I hit the ground, and clearly did its job. I will replace it ASAP.
I just hope I can true my wheel tonight so I can go for another ride tomorrow.
Scott
It was a silly, low-speed crash. I was taking a left turn at a traffic light, was signaling with my left arm, and cornered too hard. I was going about 10 MPH or so. The bike went down underneath me, I kind of flopped over on my right side, hit the pavement with my right shoulder and helmet-protected head, and then my legs flew up over me and I landed on my left side. When the world stopped spinning, I immediately got up and dragged my bike out of the intersection, as there were cars still waiting for the light to change. Waited for a couple of light cycles before I attempted to retrieve my water bottles. One driver stopped to ask if I was ok, which I appreciated but gave him the thumbs-up.
As far as my bike is concerned, I bent my left brifter and threw my front wheel way out of true. My bar tape surprisingly looks fine. I rode back the 8 miles or so with my front brake QR opened. I'm really grateful that my first crash wasn't a big traumatic experience, and that I was able to get right back on the bike and keep riding.
When I got home, I noted that I have a couple of small bits of road rash on my elbow and knee, and what look like a couple of tiny blood blisters on my forehead. My right shoulder is sore but I can move it through its full range of motion without any serious pain. My helmet (a $30 Giro Transfer) has a nice compressed area on it where I hit the ground, and clearly did its job. I will replace it ASAP.
I just hope I can true my wheel tonight so I can go for another ride tomorrow.
Scott
06-15-08 | 03:17 PM
#7
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From: Upland Ca
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Glad you're ok. Great that you had a helmet!
I wonder though, how do you while making a left, have the bike go down underneath you and hit on the right? I'd think you'd hit on the left unless you went over the bike
I wonder though, how do you while making a left, have the bike go down underneath you and hit on the right? I'd think you'd hit on the left unless you went over the bike
06-15-08 | 03:40 PM
#8
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From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck, Surly Pacer
I was wondering how you high-side a bicycle going 10mph... either way. Glad you are okay. Crashing in the middle of the road is scary.
06-15-08 | 04:34 PM
#10
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From: new england
Bikes: Wife Trek 7100, GT lola, specialzed Hotrock, Trek Grommet, dead Trek 5200(KIA rear derailer failed and brok frame), and Trek 720 (Died of neglect when the 5200 became a stable mate)
the helmets 99% factor 99% of the time you'll never need it. Then there is always that 1% of the time and you never know when that 1% will show up.
06-15-08 | 04:37 PM
#11
Thread Starter
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: 2020 Trek Checkpoint ALR5, 2012 Surly Disc Trucker
Thanks for the good wishes everyone. I think my front wheel is in bad enough shape that I'm going to save it for the LBS and not try truing it myself.
As for the physics of the crash itself, I just checked my Edge 305 data and apparently I was going closer to 15-16 MPH around the time of the crash. It all happened so quickly I can't be certain, but what I think happened was I leaned too hard to the left, felt myself about to lowside, but then over-corrected my handlebar which pushed my momentum out to the right. In any case, the ride side of my helmet was what took the damage, so I'm not going to analyze it too much. I was just turning too carelessly.
As for the physics of the crash itself, I just checked my Edge 305 data and apparently I was going closer to 15-16 MPH around the time of the crash. It all happened so quickly I can't be certain, but what I think happened was I leaned too hard to the left, felt myself about to lowside, but then over-corrected my handlebar which pushed my momentum out to the right. In any case, the ride side of my helmet was what took the damage, so I'm not going to analyze it too much. I was just turning too carelessly.
06-15-08 | 05:02 PM
#12
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From: Upland Ca
Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem
Heck truing the wheel is easy.
figure out what direction you want to pull the rim. Loosen a spoke or two on the oppositie side to allow for some slack, Then tighten the spokes on the side on which you wish to pull the rim.
Give it slack to move, then pull the correct direction. All common sense.
If the out of true area is a large area, there will be more spokes involved. If it's a smallsection, maybe 4 or 5(that's based on a 32 spoke wheel).
Look at SheldonBrown's site on wheel build and repairs.
figure out what direction you want to pull the rim. Loosen a spoke or two on the oppositie side to allow for some slack, Then tighten the spokes on the side on which you wish to pull the rim.
Give it slack to move, then pull the correct direction. All common sense.
If the out of true area is a large area, there will be more spokes involved. If it's a smallsection, maybe 4 or 5(that's based on a 32 spoke wheel).
Look at SheldonBrown's site on wheel build and repairs.
06-15-08 | 05:49 PM
#13
Downtown Spanky Brown
Joined: May 2007
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From: Enola, Pennsyltucky
Bikes: Motobecane Phantom Cross Pro Kona Lana'I
Probably not so hard. The bike was laid down too steep and a pedal hit tossing the rider over top the already angled bike. Just a guess, I remember doing a similar spill as a wee lad turning figure eights in the driveway.
06-15-08 | 11:14 PM
#14
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From: Dover, NH USA
Bikes: 1986 Bridgestone 500, 1981 Motobecane Super Mirage
Ouch. Sorry to hear about your crash. Glad you're ok, but make sure it's not worse tomorrow.
We've both got our first crashes out of the way now. Does that make us true "roadies"?
Seriously though, these things happen fast. Glad you're safe.
We've both got our first crashes out of the way now. Does that make us true "roadies"?
Seriously though, these things happen fast. Glad you're safe.
06-16-08 | 12:54 AM
#16
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Posts: n/a
Shaving your leg so you can bandage road rash is a step in the right direction.
