Fell Over Today
#1
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Fell Over Today
Guess there is a first time for everything. I was on ride for my lunch break and thought I got a flat so I unclipped my left foot to stop. As I was coming to a stop I guess I leaned to my right instead and over I went. It is funny I am always aware of unclipping and leaning left before stopping, but today habit was not good enough. Guess my head was somewhere else. I am sure someone driving by got a laugh out it, I know i had to laugh at myself after. I have a nice red mark on my forearm at the elbow to remember the occasion.
Just thought I would share the story.
Just thought I would share the story.
#2
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Happens to everyone at some point. 😉 Glad you are ok.
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Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
#3
more daylight today!
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Happened to me more than once. Thankfully it's been awhile.
Don't know why there always seems to be the maximum amount of others to witness such events. Every one of my falling timber instances had a big audience.
So welcome to the club!
Don't know why there always seems to be the maximum amount of others to witness such events. Every one of my falling timber instances had a big audience.
So welcome to the club!
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In elation over conquering a local climb for the first time, and being entranced by the scenery, I unclipped and leaned the opposite way and timbred on my hip.
At least I got to enjoy the view for a split second before giving myself a good chewing out.
At least I got to enjoy the view for a split second before giving myself a good chewing out.

#5
Over forty victim of Fate
Only for those that are clipped in. I'm not... I haven't fallen in 45+ years of using toe straps...
The only time I 'dropped' like that was on a motorcycle when my passenger tried to counteract the 'lean' to the one side that I had induced to put my leg down at a stoplight... Of course my throttle hand didn't let go but my clutch hand did - and a 'broadie' ensued that threw us BOTH off the bike... I was NOT amused!!! No more motorcycle rides for her!
The only time I 'dropped' like that was on a motorcycle when my passenger tried to counteract the 'lean' to the one side that I had induced to put my leg down at a stoplight... Of course my throttle hand didn't let go but my clutch hand did - and a 'broadie' ensued that threw us BOTH off the bike... I was NOT amused!!! No more motorcycle rides for her!
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#6
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Try These. No Fall Over. My Size 13 shoe

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Fred "The Real Fred"
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Last edited by 10 Wheels; 05-30-21 at 09:51 PM. Reason: add
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#7
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Only for those that are clipped in. I'm not... I haven't fallen in 45+ years of using toe straps...
The only time I 'dropped' like that was on a motorcycle when my passenger tried to counteract the 'lean' to the one side that I had induced to put my leg down at a stoplight... Of course my throttle hand didn't let go but my clutch hand did - and a 'broadie' ensued that threw us BOTH off the bike... I was NOT amused!!! No more motorcycle rides for her!
The only time I 'dropped' like that was on a motorcycle when my passenger tried to counteract the 'lean' to the one side that I had induced to put my leg down at a stoplight... Of course my throttle hand didn't let go but my clutch hand did - and a 'broadie' ensued that threw us BOTH off the bike... I was NOT amused!!! No more motorcycle rides for her!
The bow thing was taught to me by a guy I used to ride dirt bikes with, he crashed a lot.
He also had a Gold Wing and dropped it in his garage after a few drinks and put his foot down in some oil and down it went.
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My feet are almost as big as yours and when I used quill pedals I had to bend the little tab on the outside edge of the pedal down or grind it off because I toe-out. I like the spacer between the clip and the pedal, I did something like that and I moved the clip to the outside of the pedal by drilling new holes. I also reshaped the clips to not put pressure on the tops of my feet. Christophe LL clips were the only ones that worked.
Oh how I hate toe clips and straps!
Oh how I hate toe clips and straps!
#9
Over forty victim of Fate
The only time I went down in the garage on my motorcycle was when I was backing it in, and to get where I needed to be I had spun by dad's 'cycle bars out of the way. His bike fell over, pinning my leg against my cycle's hot exhaust - < sizzle-sizzle-sizzle!!! > I still carry that scar today, 35 years later!
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'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
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Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
#10
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The only time I went down in the garage on my motorcycle was when I was backing it in, and to get where I needed to be I had spun by dad's 'cycle bars out of the way. His bike fell over, pinning my leg against my cycle's hot exhaust - < sizzle-sizzle-sizzle!!! > I still carry that scar today, 35 years later!
#11
Over forty victim of Fate
Dad's was a '76 KZ400S -- the stripped-down model without electric start, center stand and had painted fenders, and I was on my '83 V-45 Sabre with the full Hondaline fairing at almost 720 pounds... Me? I was 5'8", weighed in at ~140 pounds... The Sabre was quite top-heavy, and I couldn't straddle it other than on tip-toes. Yeah, the Sabre was a bit 'too big' for me (physical size, not engine), and I had upgraded from a '82 Yamaha 550 Seca... The 550 was buzzy, but a nice bike although underpowered compared to what I had been riding... In late '82 I had gotten wrecked by a 'cager' making a left turn while riding my '76 Yamaha RD400... I REALLY miss that RD400 to this day!
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'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
Last edited by Cougrrcj; 05-13-21 at 07:33 PM.
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#12
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So glad you are OK... Even a little fall can be devastating. And never underestimate the severity of even small cases of Road Rash.
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#13
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Every time I do one of those I'm just glad it was a mind glitch that gave a little road rash, not a glitch that plastered me to the front of a truck!
A couple weeks ago I was too busy watching the cars and ran into a curb and made a mess of things. But I was back riding in a minute with minimal damage.
A couple weeks ago I was too busy watching the cars and ran into a curb and made a mess of things. But I was back riding in a minute with minimal damage.
#14
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My new bike now 5 years old is a compact frame and I turned sharply with my clipped in pedals at the 9 to 3 position and there I went over on the gravel. My older bike would turn sharply and my feet would clear but not the new bike. Cursed a little bit.
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My personal preference is for straps and traps. I’ve been riding with them since the early seventies and I don’t do change very well. I can’t say whether they are better because I’ve never wanted to try the clip thingy on the shoe. I just wear a narrow, flat skate shoe and keep the straps just shy of snug.
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You seem in good spirts, and glad you’re ok. Don’t give it a second thought. It happens to everyone. Around eight years ago I was cycling with a new club for me ride. You guessed it. I unclipped at a stop sign and lost my balance and went down- duh! Have fun, and be safe.
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Leave 'em loose
First time I rode my new Raleigh in 1981, I pulled up to a stop sign in Yuma, AZ and forgot to release toe clip. Just as I fell over, a carload of high school kids pulled up beside, windows down. One looked at me, and in a comical, non-threatening voice, said simply, "a$$hole."
Even I had a good laugh at that, along with the other yahoos in the car.
I never tighten straps, still prefer toe clips, and have them on all my bikes. Once was enough for me. I knew I'd forget occasionally if I tightened them, so I don't.
Glad you're ok.
Even I had a good laugh at that, along with the other yahoos in the car.
I never tighten straps, still prefer toe clips, and have them on all my bikes. Once was enough for me. I knew I'd forget occasionally if I tightened them, so I don't.
Glad you're ok.
#18
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OP Not even your pride was hurt! That’s what I call a successful fall. Glad you were not injured.
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#19
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It happens. I haven't ridden much the past few months so when I do I take a lap around the parking lot to practice unclipping/reclipping both feet to get back the mindset.
But for decades I've been accustomed to unclipping (or, with toe clips, lifting and pulling) the left foot only, while leaving the right foot on/in the pedal. I'm still not sure I could change that habit in a split second if it were necessary. I really should practice both sides.
But for decades I've been accustomed to unclipping (or, with toe clips, lifting and pulling) the left foot only, while leaving the right foot on/in the pedal. I'm still not sure I could change that habit in a split second if it were necessary. I really should practice both sides.
#20
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Knock on wood I've only had one in the last few decades. Was riding parallel to a side walk and went to get up on it. Made the mistake of just angling over and not popping the front tire over the edge. Slid over like a sack of potatoes.
A subtle moment of lost concentration...
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My wife says "it don't hurt until the bone shows"
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#22
Over forty victim of Fate
My personal preference is for straps and traps. I’ve been riding with them since the early seventies and I don’t do change very well. I can’t say whether they are better because I’ve never wanted to try the clip thingy on the shoe. I just wear a narrow, flat skate shoe and keep the straps just shy of snug.
That said, my Miyata 710 has flat MTB-style pedals with pins. They were on the bike when I bought it from a graduating ASU college student. I find that I like them when I'm commuting in my lug-sole work shoes, so they stay for now.
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'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
#23
It's MY mountain
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#24
Over forty victim of Fate
.
__________________
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
'75 Fuji S-10S bought new, 52k+ miles and still going!
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'86 Miyata 710
'90 Schwinn Woodlands
Unknown brand MTB of questionable lineage aka 'Mutt Trail Bike'
Plus or minus a few others from time-to-time
#25
It's MY mountain
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They didn't. But they did enough checking to let me know how many people are concerned about the anecdotes they've heard about botched L/R surgeries. I suspect the YES was more for my benefit than theirs, but it was a nice gesture.
FTR: This was 4 months ago and I'm still probably a week away from being able to do easy cycling around the neighborhood... very slow recovery from patella surgery. Pelvis fracture was only 6 weeks.
FTR: This was 4 months ago and I'm still probably a week away from being able to do easy cycling around the neighborhood... very slow recovery from patella surgery. Pelvis fracture was only 6 weeks.