So yesterday, I was setting off from a stop. My chain wasn't fully engaged on the lower sprocket, and so it slipped off with most of my weight bearing down on the pedal. I lunged forward unexpectedly, falling off my seat, and landing with the top tube in my crotch.

Luckily, I missed any soft tissue, however it freaked my out a bit. So is it prudent to wear a cup to protect your testicles? What precautions should I take to be safe?

thanks!

I usually ride a bike with a step-through frame (it makes jumping on and off much easier) so it isn't a problem. In any case, your frame should ideally be sized so that you have a bit of clearance between the top tube and your nether regions when standing flat-footed on the ground.

If you're worried about your testicles, a jock cup might help. If you're concerned about freaking out, Valium will definitely help. However, Valium requires a prescription and does have it's negative side effects, so, where available, a regular dose of over-the-counter HTFU may be the best recourse. I know of no roadies, mtbers, or CXers who wear cups, but I do know a few who have been prescribed Valium, though this had been for reasons unrelated to cycling.

Surely, you can't be serious?

He is serious, and stop calling him Shirley.

It sounds to me like you had one mishap and you think it's likely to happen again. If it really is a frequent occurrence, find out what you're doing to cause it and fix that. If it is a one time event, then it seems you're assuming this will be a common problem. If it was a common problem, bicycle shorts would be designed to accommodate a cup.

Now that it has happened remember the event . If it happens again your reflexes should be ready for it.

It has happened to Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France (2003 The later in the stage where he fell after catching the (muzet?) little girls food bag bag) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kzm-Y4XaIc About 142 sec into the video

This is what i call an occupational hazard. Things happen and you can't prepare for them all. So now you are educated

It was an attempt at humor, but there's nothing inaccurate or untruthful in the post: Cups may protect your nuts, Valium suppresses anxiety, and HTFUing obviates the need for either.

I have yet to understand how one would HTFU his nuts.

Before starting, always lift the rear wheel and run the crank around once...by hand, foot whatever.

I think false neutrals (between 2nd and 3rd) of mis-adjusted Sturmey Archer three speeds substantially hurt USA cycling-- by causing about a third to a half of adolescent males to simply ignore the bike everafter.

Saw a guy race a Crit in running shoes - he forgot his bike shoes, and the local shop didn't have any road shoes in stock (they cater to mtb folk). In a sprint for a Prem, his foot slipped off the pedal. Amazed that he remained upright. Hurt to watch - he hit HARD. Probably scared off at least one or two potential riders...

Man, that had to hurt.

He's fathered two kids since then, so I guess he's no worse for the wear.

Sandpaper and a little epoxy usually does the trick.

My old karate club was a couple of miles away from my ju-jutsu club. I tried ONCE riding in a jock strap (JOFA hockey model) No time to change between classes. My advise... don't

like THIS

When I hit the brakes hard enough to potentially cause a situation like that, I press hard on the handlebars while braking, so I actually push myself backwards on the seat at the same time.

I avoided that problem by buying a bike with a slightly smaller frame. I should really put a longer stem on it but I've gotten used to the way it is.

Better to call him Shirley, than the various other names many want to call him.

So A&S folks think that having to wear helmets keeps folks from riding**********

Moved from A&S to General Cycling Discussion.

So the mods don't believe saving the jewels is a safety issue?

+1. Nothing really happened to the OP. Besides, if you take a hit, you'll get over it; unless you're Humpty Dumpty.

This is a feature not a bug. It prevents reproduction of bad cyclists, leading to increased riding competance amongst the general cycling population. This of it as wolves taking out the sick caribou, leaving the fitter ones to breed.

HTFU means to ignore pain and discomfort, not eliminate it. Duh.