what did you learn from your first crash?
#1
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what did you learn from your first crash?
my short list:
1. do not trust Google Bike Directions for long trips. always printed Rubel maps
2. if you don't carry a pump, always carry t + 1 CO2 cartridges where t is the number of spare tubes
3. stick a Schrader adapter on one of your Presta valves so you can benefit from the kindness of strangers with pumps
4. don't take off your gloves because it's getting warm - this is tempting the gods. Giro Zero are your friend
5. shaving calves is not just to "fit in" but saves you tremendous pain while replacing road-rash bandages
6. turn off the internet connection on your phone while pedaling to save battery just in case you need to make a call
what have you learned from crashing?
1. do not trust Google Bike Directions for long trips. always printed Rubel maps
2. if you don't carry a pump, always carry t + 1 CO2 cartridges where t is the number of spare tubes
3. stick a Schrader adapter on one of your Presta valves so you can benefit from the kindness of strangers with pumps
4. don't take off your gloves because it's getting warm - this is tempting the gods. Giro Zero are your friend
5. shaving calves is not just to "fit in" but saves you tremendous pain while replacing road-rash bandages
6. turn off the internet connection on your phone while pedaling to save battery just in case you need to make a call
what have you learned from crashing?
#4
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Pain doesn't kick in til after the race.
Bikes falling on you don't hurt too much.
Breaking wheels sucks.
Shaving is your friend.
Bikes falling on you don't hurt too much.
Breaking wheels sucks.
Shaving is your friend.
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That there's no predicting where you'll meet a random oil slick, and if you corner on it, you're going down. (In my case, on my face.)
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The importance of shaved legs!!
#12
Peloton Shelter Dog
I've crashed so many times I can't remember. But I do recall one in particular about 18 years ago. My front tire got sucked into one of those in-between pavement slab grooves on a busy roadway. I went down, hard. That's why the pros in Europe call grooves like those 'death valley'.
Watch for those weenies.
Regular cracks in worn pavement can cause the same result by the way. Watch for those too.
Watch for those weenies.
Regular cracks in worn pavement can cause the same result by the way. Watch for those too.
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1. Importance of shaved legs
2. TEGADERM! and CURAD tubular stretch stuff
3. Use the left brake lever more when descending mountains and approaching hairpins
2. TEGADERM! and CURAD tubular stretch stuff
3. Use the left brake lever more when descending mountains and approaching hairpins
#16
Peloton Shelter Dog
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#19
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My first serious crash came from getting sideswiped by a car. I broke my leg and got some nice road rash, but didn't get a scratch on my face or helmetless head. I figured that was a mulligan and have worn a helmet ever since.
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Probably not, but every time "shaving threads" come up, people say it's a stupid reason to shave for the reason of dealing with road rash. Not saying you said that, but it doesn't seem so stupid now, does it?
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I just hadn't thought about it carefully. but in retrospect, it was worth the hilarity of my wife saying "COME ON YOU COWARD! JUST RIP OFF THAT BANDAGE! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT PAIN *IS*!!!!"
#23
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Don't get too cocky taking sharp curves after a fresh rainfall. You would think that would be obvious.....you would think......