Missbumble 

OK So I decided to co-lead a ride with a more experienced rider - for a local Outing Club. The ride was on a local trail - we invited any/everyone - all levels/ walkers/bladers/bikers.... kids. So we had a good turn out . My job was going to be sweep - which would have been a good role since yesterday's ride was a push for me. So in the parking lot - I meet my co-leader and his brother sister-and-law are there. They have a young child on a pretty pink bike with butterflies on the spokes. (They were really sweet) So My Co-leader decides to be sweep and I am up front. No problem I say... but thought I was going tobe swee which would have been nice to ride slow...but alas it was my day to lead. (I did have a good friend on the ride I could count on if I needed any support.) But a group of people out for a leisurely ride - I can handle. So we set off.... Eventually alot of the group turns back and there's a core groupp of us including my co-leader who are going to ride on. The families were fine to ride back on their own. (Straight poular trail and they insisted that my co-leader ride on and join us.

So my co-leader catches up to us and we reach what we decided was the turn around.... And we head back. We ride about 5 miles or so (Four ot of 6 of us). MY co-leader is riding with the last rider who is a bit slower. The lead group (me and 3 others) stop at some restrooms on the trail. OK I check the phone and there's a voice mail I can't really decipher from the slowest rider in the group (whom my co-lead was sweeping). Anyway - I coudl not hear the message - but I start to worry! So we finally got throught to them - and my co-leader fell and was hurt. He ended up being ambulanced to the hospital. There was a sherriff on the trail who found them and got them to the fire station and then the ambulance came.

I mean - I would not have thought that my co-leader would have fallen. He was the one with the exerience. Poor guy. Anyway - it turns out they passed a free water stand - family giving back - very sweet. And the rider that my co-lead was sweeping stopped and got water. So anyway my Co-leader wanted water and got the bottle from the other rider. As he was unscrewing the cap - and riding mind you (Warning do not try this at home) his bike would just keep going forward.....and he was the sweep - so he needed to ride at a slower pace. Anyway he was about to hit the other rider...I think he then lost control (since his hands were busy with the water he was not able to break, by the time he threw the water down - it was too late) and fell on the side of a trail...and could feel his collar bone sticking out!

So he has a broken collar bone! So my frist ride that i led was memorable. I think there's a lot of lessons:
(1) When riding sweep - remember you have to go slower than rider in front of you
(2) Do not accept bottled water with a screw on cap on a bike
(3) Make sure everyone has a buddy riding. (I am glad they were together).
(4) me - I will stick with my camel back with the water bottles as a refill until I am an expert and can reach down and get the bottle without wavering.

OK that's it Ride 19 26 miles, 2 hours and 1 minuteish and 1 poor fella with a broken collar bone! Be careful!!

Sorry not a more happy report!

Fribley

Wow, thats quite the report. I hope he is/will be alright eventually. Screw on caps are hard to use while riding, if i have to use one i unscrew it with my teeth and one hand while keeping on hand on the bars/brakes. Luckly the local Sheriff Dept was around (little plug for SD's).

Wogster

That's mixed news, good for you, not so good for your co-leader, that would hurt like the devil......

As for screw on caps, I find the best thing to do, is stop, deal with the bottle, dump the contents in an empty bike bottle, toss the bottle and screw on cap into a suitable container (or a pannier). Then continue on. With bike bottles, I usually pop the cap while it's still in the rack, then lift it, put it back in the rack and then close it.

I like using the camelbak for longer rides though, you tend to drink more with the CB then you do needing to futz with bottles.

Missbumble 

Wogster - I like the Camel Back - It does hurt my left kidney area... I think I need to readjust it. But yes - I think it helps me from not getting dehydrated - especailly on a group intense ride. Cause I am pushing myself and it's hard to swallow - so having the CB right nex to me makes it easier. Also I do not have to reach down...have the bike wobble, etc.

Mr. Beanz

Bummer! I was with a friend when she crashed and broke her cb. Terrible thing. Hope your bud heals quickly!

Neil_B

Yuck! How horrible for your co-ride leader. I hope he recovers quickly. But congratulations on co-leading the ride.

Wogster

Best thing to do, is get a friend to help, lengthen all the straps to their maximum, then put the bag on, and get your friend to adjust the straps until it fits. Remember that little sips are better then big swallows. Should always carry extra water though, I have found a couple of times my CB has run out, because I wasn't watching the level..... I usually keep a bike bottle loaded with Gatorade or something similar, in case I need an extra boost. I also often keep another bottle with some water in it, to replenish the CB if it runs out, it's easier to get a bottle filled at a tap then the CB. In summer a good choice is to take a 2L or ½ gallon empty pop bottle, fill it ¾ full, stick it in the freezer, then before your ride, fill the rest of the way, wrap in a towel and lash to a rack or stuff in a pannier, then you have enough water to refill the CB, if it runs out.

I usually check the CB on breaks, and if it's getting low, I will top it up. I will plan a break every so often, to get off the saddle, check my supplies (water and food), and check other things out.