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Ever hear that dreadful found of a rock getting shot out from a car tire?

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Ever hear that dreadful found of a rock getting shot out from a car tire?

Old 10-31-11, 06:27 PM
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Ever hear that dreadful found of a rock getting shot out from a car tire?

I heard it and closed my eyes and winced. Then I her the thing wiz past me. I know I've shot a few rocks off my tire, but not nearly as dangerous. What would've happened if that rock hit me in the eye?! Has anyone here actually gotten hit by a high velocity rock? Just looking over my post - freaking iPad.
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Old 10-31-11, 06:54 PM
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I was almost hit by an 8" long section of a tree branch coming off of the tire of an SUV, now that was scary. I'm sure you could be injured by a rock, but I'm not aware that I've ever had one fly past me.
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Old 10-31-11, 07:11 PM
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I almost got hit by a 1 and a half foot long branch shot from the guy in front of me while in a pace line. I dodged it. The guy behind me wasn't too lucky...
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Old 10-31-11, 07:12 PM
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I shoot rocks at cars!
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Old 10-31-11, 07:44 PM
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I was riding by a mother pushing a baby stroller when I shot one. When I looked back all was well, but for a second I thought I beaned one of them.
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Old 10-31-11, 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by paperbackbiker
I heard it and closed my eyes and winced. Then I her the thing wiz past me. I know I've shot a few rocks off my tire, but not nearly as dangerous. What would've happened if that rock hit me in the eye?! Has anyone here actually gotten hit by a high velocity rock? Just looking over my post - freaking iPad.
Yup, got a huge gash in my leg from a rock thrown up by a tire on a chip-sealed road.

One of the many things that taught me to wear glasses whenever I ride.
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Old 10-31-11, 09:28 PM
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Got one thrown into my helmet once. Dented it up really bad, glad I was wearing it.
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Old 10-31-11, 09:40 PM
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Originally Posted by electrik
I shoot rocks at cars!
I used to do that as well when I ran narrow high pressure tires. I was always afraid that I would hit a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk or on the side of the road.

My most memorable "pinch shot" was on a quiet morning ride to work, I launched one fair sized rock into the side of a brand new shiny red pickup that was parked on the other side of the street, and it wasn't a slight "plunk" either, it hit the side of the pickup with a loud "bang". I definitely turned up the wattage for several blocks after that incident.
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Old 10-31-11, 10:02 PM
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I almost got nailed by a Bott's Dot last year. Riding on a two-lane road with a center turn lane that was marked with painted lines and Bott's Dots. An overtaking car moved into the cener turn lane to go around me and ran over a loose Bott's Dot which squirted out from under his tire, shot about three feet in front of me, hit the stone retaining wall to my right and shattered into little pieces one of which hit me (but was too small and moving too slowly at this point to cause any injury).

I was damn lucky, because if that Bott's Dot would have hit me right off the car tire, it would have done serious damage.
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Old 10-31-11, 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by dynodonn
I used to do that as well when I ran narrow high pressure tires. I was always afraid that I would hit a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk or on the side of the road.

My most memorable "pinch shot" was on a quiet morning ride to work, I launched one fair sized rock into the side of a brand new shiny red pickup that was parked on the other side of the street, and it wasn't a slight "plunk" either, it hit the side of the pickup with a loud "bang". I definitely turned up the wattage for several blocks after that incident.
Ya, the sound is usually impressive since the rock is only a foot above ground and most car structures are hollow at that level!
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Old 11-01-11, 01:10 AM
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Originally Posted by paperbackbiker
I was riding by a mother pushing a baby stroller when I shot one. When I looked back all was well, but for a second I thought I beaned one of them.
Ditto... But my rock hit the stroller (loud sound of rock hitting metal). I circled back around and asked if everything was OK. It was.

I've been beaned by several rocks over the years, but they mostly hit my left leg. No injuries. Fired more than a few off back at cars. That sound of loud rock popping out from under the wheel (and that unmistakable sound of car getting hit) is worrisome when the driver is in the thing.

The rock that was thrown by a tire that caused me an injury, was thrown by MY bike. Riding hard to stay ahead of the bus that I was trying to catch (bus stop was 1/2 block away, bus was 45' behind me, and there was nobody else at the stop). Hammering hard, when all of a sudden my rear wheel hits a rock that must have been about 1/4" in diameter, then that thing just shoots out from under the tire (I think it hit the bus). I lost traction. Next thing I know, I'm going over the handlebars in the middle of the road.

Bus stops, I pull myself off the road, then it pulls up beside me. I'm asked if I need an ambulance (I didn't), but I did get some paper towels from him. I ended up letting the bus go, and began first aid (road rash) and damage assessment. I managed to catch the next bus home.

So, with that said, here's a link to a very useful article "Road Rash, how to treat it..."

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Old 11-01-11, 01:54 AM
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Originally Posted by dynodonn
I used to do that as well when I ran narrow high pressure tires. I was always afraid that I would hit a pedestrian walking on the sidewalk or on the side of the road.

My most memorable "pinch shot" was on a quiet morning ride to work, I launched one fair sized rock into the side of a brand new shiny red pickup that was parked on the other side of the street, and it wasn't a slight "plunk" either, it hit the side of the pickup with a loud "bang". I definitely turned up the wattage for several blocks after that incident.
I too worry about this when I am running my Conti Gatorskins at about 120 PSI. Earlier in the year when there were people out (the rain and dark has mostly driven them away now) I'd hear my tires shooting rocks as I rode past pedestrians and was always afraid I was going to hurt someone. I do occasionally hear one bounce off the side of parked cars.
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Old 11-01-11, 03:20 AM
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So far no rocks, but had lit cigarette butts hit me on a number of occasions... very lucky drivers since I couldn't catch up to any of them!
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Old 11-01-11, 09:48 AM
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I've been hit by a variety of things while riding, though not a car-fired rock, as far as I know.

Definitely +1 on the glasses and a helmet (or not-too-snug hat) for the head shots.
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Old 11-01-11, 10:01 AM
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I had a pickup launch about a 1.5" pointy rock at me- hit me in the shin. Bloodied my sock pretty well, but I fortunately didn't need stitches. Ow.
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Old 11-01-11, 10:07 AM
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One of my friends had a golf ball hit his bike while we were riding past a golf course. It dented a rim and cracked his frame. At least it didn't hit him in the face.
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Old 11-01-11, 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by electrik
I shoot rocks at cars!
Same here! It happens somewhat often. You can feel it shoot out from under your tire. I'm scared to death someone is going to think I do it on purpose and road rage me to death.
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Old 11-01-11, 11:58 AM
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Originally Posted by paperbackbiker
I heard it and closed my eyes and winced. Then I her the thing wiz past me. I know I've shot a few rocks off my tire, but not nearly as dangerous. What would've happened if that rock hit me in the eye?! Has anyone here actually gotten hit by a high velocity rock? Just looking over my post - freaking iPad.
I caught one with my ear canal long ago. Just the right size to slide right in there. Had a bugger of a time getting it out.

Only thing worse is bugs Got a beetle in there once too. A rock just sits there and makes it so you can't hear. A bug squirms
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Old 11-01-11, 05:56 PM
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Two collisions with yellow jackets this year. The first stung a finger which looked like a bratwurst the next the day. The second one on the lower lip. That looked like the losing end of a prize fight or something that would make Angelina Jolie proud. Nasty little buggers.
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Old 11-01-11, 06:13 PM
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Originally Posted by drjava
Two collisions with yellow jackets this year. The first stung a finger which looked like a bratwurst the next the day. The second one on the lower lip. That looked like the losing end of a prize fight or something that would make Angelina Jolie proud. Nasty little buggers.
I was riding hard tothe girlfriend's apt. a couple years back, breathing heavy through my mouth. Sucked in a honey bee and the little %^&*er stung me in the back of the mouth before I could spit him out. Bugger of a time reaching in to remove the stinger!
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Old 11-01-11, 09:46 PM
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Haven't been beaned by a rock yet, but rocks on the road and thin tires have not been a good combination for me. The last time I went down like that russian guy in the Tour DF. Even when I spot them, I seem to be drawn to them, lol.
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Old 11-02-11, 10:57 AM
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It happens and I expect it to happen, It's why I won't ride without eye protection. The rest of me can take a hit way better than my eye balls.
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Old 11-02-11, 11:09 AM
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Tinted wrap around safety glasses from home depot for under $10. They look similar to the $100 pair in the bike shop without the reflective lens.
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Old 11-02-11, 11:14 AM
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I got hit in the leg by a rock. It hurt, but didn't even bruise. It was a 35mph road, which probably prevented further injury.

I've also "pinged" a moving car while riding in the bike lane. It was funny, but the driver didn't seem to know what happened.
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Old 11-02-11, 12:22 PM
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It's for this reason I always wear eye protection when riding. Sunglasses for day and clear "sport style" safety glasses at night. I can deal with getting a rock to the cheek or the chin but I imagine getting a rock in the eye would be less manageable.

edit: Oh plus there is the added benefit of not getting wind or dust in your eyes.

Last edited by cellery; 11-02-11 at 12:23 PM. Reason: cheese
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