Stupidity is the cause
03-04-09, 07:23 AM
#1
SA[in]NE
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Stupidity is the cause
After all my thoughts and philosophy to the contrary I did something stupid in regards to my bike and commuting.
My rear brake had felt a little soft the last day and rather then take the 2 minutes to take care of it I rode home yesterday and nearly took the bike and myself out of action.
I was making a left from a lane that can go either left or right, I was navigating through the turn and started to brake. Except I didn't have enough braking action to slow through the turn.
All I could do was make the turn as wide as possible and hop the curb, up on to the small grass patch, while trying to stop with just the front and not send my self airborne. Hit the iron fence that divided the road from the grass and the cemetery on the other side with my shoulder to complete the stop.
Stupidity! That's my confession, I've learned my lesson, check the bike before I ride and if something seems suspicious...fix it!
My rear brake had felt a little soft the last day and rather then take the 2 minutes to take care of it I rode home yesterday and nearly took the bike and myself out of action.
I was making a left from a lane that can go either left or right, I was navigating through the turn and started to brake. Except I didn't have enough braking action to slow through the turn.
All I could do was make the turn as wide as possible and hop the curb, up on to the small grass patch, while trying to stop with just the front and not send my self airborne. Hit the iron fence that divided the road from the grass and the cemetery on the other side with my shoulder to complete the stop.
Stupidity! That's my confession, I've learned my lesson, check the bike before I ride and if something seems suspicious...fix it!
Last edited by FredOak; 03-04-09 at 10:31 AM.
03-04-09, 07:26 AM
#2
YAT-YAS
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I wouldn't say stupid...... careless maybe but not stupid......
My right hand is my front brake, like on a motorcycle........ Hum...........
My right hand is my front brake, like on a motorcycle........ Hum...........
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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
03-04-09, 07:31 AM
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Well at least if it had turned out more seriously you would have already been right there at the cemetary!
But yeah, check out the bike before every ride and fix what needs fixin'.
Glad you weren't injured, ride on!
But yeah, check out the bike before every ride and fix what needs fixin'.
Glad you weren't injured, ride on!
03-04-09, 07:37 AM
#4
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Stupid but strong is my motto. I do a 15 minute so so pull on a bowflex at home.
More for the stretching, weight training make me feel like I bounce better
when I have a "bicycle moment". Hit an iron fence..geez..
More for the stretching, weight training make me feel like I bounce better
when I have a "bicycle moment". Hit an iron fence..geez..
03-04-09, 08:22 AM
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I had a hard time reading about all the "breaking" you were doing, having to stop on each instance and change it to "brake". They are two different words with vastly different meanings. Not everyone reads phonetically. I seriously was wondering if you'd broken your back previously when you started talking about your "back break".
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03-04-09, 08:26 AM
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I had a hard time reading about all the "breaking" you were doing, having to stop on each instance and change it to "brake". They are two different words with vastly different meanings. Not everyone reads phonetically. I seriously was wondering if you'd broken your back previously when you started talking about your "back break".
03-04-09, 08:33 AM
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I had a hard time reading about all the "breaking" you were doing, having to stop on each instance and change it to "brake". They are two different words with vastly different meanings. Not everyone reads phonetically. I seriously was wondering if you'd broken your back previously when you started talking about your "back break".
03-04-09, 08:33 AM
#8
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03-04-09, 08:47 AM
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Meh, I figured it out just fine. Give the guy a brake. heehee
Question for the OP. Why didn't you stop signaling and use the other brake? I'm glad to hear you're ok.
Question for the OP. Why didn't you stop signaling and use the other brake? I'm glad to hear you're ok.
03-04-09, 08:50 AM
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Can anyone suggest what you should do in the event your breaks brake? I mean every once in awhile it's like oh crap, my breaks... they're braked!
03-04-09, 10:42 AM
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Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
Master Guns Crittle, You out there??
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert A. Heinlein
03-04-09, 10:47 AM
#13
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03-04-09, 10:51 AM
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Trail riding at night, bolts holding my handle bar light fall out,
I endo, lying in the dark with the wind knocked out of me.
I reach up with one arm and try to mouth the word.
GREMLINS....
I endo, lying in the dark with the wind knocked out of me.
I reach up with one arm and try to mouth the word.
GREMLINS....
Last edited by Bat22; 03-04-09 at 10:54 AM.
03-04-09, 10:51 AM
#15
SA[in]NE
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I just looked for the first place I could find that would help slow me down and get me off the street.
03-04-09, 11:35 AM
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03-04-09, 12:20 PM
#17
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Sorry to hear of your "almost" crack up. It could've been worse, luckily it wasn't. It's funny, whether I'm getting onto my "coffee bike" or my road or commuting bike I always squeeze both brake levers before starting out. When you rely on your brakes as much as we do you get into all kinds of funny little rituals before taking off on your ride. Glad you were at least thinking about where you needed to go once you figured out you weren't gonna stop right away.
03-04-09, 12:32 PM
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I wish I could figure out to do a "hockey stop" on my road bike w/ slicks and panniers. Without falling clipped in. That would be fun. 
03-04-09, 12:35 PM
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My back brake hasn't worked in three weeks... I'll get around to fixing it this weekend.
It's all about knowing your bike and its limits and staying within them!
It's all about knowing your bike and its limits and staying within them!
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"There is no greater wonder than the way the face and character of a woman fit so perfectly in a man's mind, and stay there, and he could never tell you why. It just seems it was the thing he most wanted." Robert Louis Stevenson
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03-04-09, 12:40 PM
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In all seriousness, this brings up a good point. It's a good idea to keep both brakes in good working order for just that reason. It's also a good idea to make sure you use both brakes regularly, to ensure the rims and pads stay in good shape and so you have a good idea of how much pressure creates the desired braking.
03-04-09, 09:15 PM
#21
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1. Brake before you start turning, and accelerate out of the corner, just as you do when you're driving a car. There's no point in braking once you're already in the turn, because you're just exchanging turning traction for braking traction. Just counter steer for some extra lean and then bomb it.
2. It's a lot harder to endo than you think. Keep the elbows braced.
2. It's a lot harder to endo than you think. Keep the elbows braced.
03-05-09, 03:40 AM
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Most of your braking power comes from the front. I'm glad you're OK, but you should learn how to use your front brake properly. Modulate it and you don't have to worry about going over the bars. It helps to push your butt off the rear of the saddle while you're applying lots of front brake.
03-05-09, 06:39 AM
#25
SA[in]NE
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For you members of the Captain Obvious fan club, I was breaking before the turn, but wasn't slowing enough, and I did use the front brake, how the hell else did you figure I stopped?
You know forget I even brought this up!
It was meant as a post to remind folks to check their equipment not a English class or a critique of the literalness of the post.
You know forget I even brought this up!
It was meant as a post to remind folks to check their equipment not a English class or a critique of the literalness of the post.