--about 3 inches worth!

So I was asking before about wide tires for a CrossCheck, and I settled on the Vee Rubber Vee12 29x1.95, or 700x50. Turns out that (mounted on my 24mm Dyad rims) they are actually more like 45-46mm (i.e. basically within spec for a CrossCheck), so they fit fine. Also for the record, as mounted on my rims the total height is really more like 28.5", not quite 29".

First ride yesterday, I went out with my wife on her hardtail for some local trail riding. On the pavement getting to the trailhead, my wife was having trouble keeping up with me; which has never happened before (she's quite fit and just loves to spin in the trainer and read magazines for hours at a time). Now this is not too surprising, since she had mtn knobbies on, and the V12 has tiny, ramped dots, as per the name, 12 across in a V pattern. On asphalt they give just a faint whirr, not the usual speed-deadening buzz of a non-slick tire. But when we get on the trail part, she also couldn't keep up, which has never happened before. These tires roll fast!

I also very much enjoy the high-volume. I had been on this trail before on 32s, and I made it through OK, but in the rockier sections I was picking my way through gingerly. With these fat tires, I can ride these trails with confidence.

Unfortunately, I rode them with a little too much confidence, as coming down a slope and turning around to the left, I struck a rock really hard with the left side of the front. Immediately after the WHACK I heard the HISS, and started to brake. Sadly, I felt "Hey this is not too bad actually, there's still plenty of air" and didn't brake so urgently. And just a few feet later, when the trail took a turn to the left, I found that yes, now the air was entirely gone, I lost control, and crashed to the left, still having significant forward momentum. I vaguely recall feeling good about being able to unclip in time, so I think my foot was actually on the ground, and my forward motion is arrested when my knee meets a rock. As I mentioned, it is shortly after this point that I saw my own kneecap. And way too long after that that I got stitched up in urgent care.

End of story: I like the V12 a lot, I don't blame them for the crash, it was my own foolhardiness. While I was in control, they were riding great. I can't wait to get them out on the commute, but that might be a few days as my knee is really stiff and sore right now.

Here are some pics of my badass fattie, and my knee as well (but not my kneecap!)

Neat stitches but I want to see the kneecap!! Pre-sewn up pics!!

Glad you are okay

Ouch!

Thx guys.

Just patched the flat, it was a slightly curved tear about an inch long. It was covered nicely by one of the larger, rectantular patches, and the vulcanization seems to be holding.

I thought the tire pressure was fine before at 30psi front, 35 back (in terms of eyeballing something like 15% tire drop on the asphalt, the famous chart doesn't go to 50mm), but I guess it wasn't enough for this case. I jacked it up to 35/40. I expect it to still be a cadillac-smooth ride on the asphalt.

Did you see the actual kneecap or just the ligament in which it is embedded? I cut my knee open on a rock when I was a kid and could see the white ligament. Pretty sure I couldn't see the kneecap itself though.

I'm relieved he didn't show the knee-cap-bone.

Had a friend mash two of his toes to jelly under a trailer tongue when the jack collapsed on his sandaled foot. First thing I knew about it was a phone text message with a picture of his foot -- he was in transit to the emergency room and thought I'd be interested. Snapped the pic and sent it along, doubtless thought it was a good idea because people in shock don't think so clearly.

"Uh, thanks, I guess..."

Mabye just ligament casing,I don't know, it was quite white, I thought it was kneecap. I didn't spend a lot of time pulling the gash open. Strangely, it didn't really hurt all that bad, nor did it bleed all that much.

You can thank your endorphins for that; I tore open the web of my thumb and got to see all the cool tendons and ligaments. It also didn't hurt much and healed up great!



Now breaking bones, especially ribs, that hurts! Looks like a nice clean laceration on your knee, I hope it heals as well as mine.

Me too. Very little blood and little pain. I had a mile to hike and by time I got back I had just a little track of blood down my shin to the sock, really nothing to speak of.

A knee-smacking that requires stitching together is much preferable to a fractured kneecap. Thanks for sharing the After picture and not the Before.

Be kind to the healing knee.

I was fortunate that I crashed right at a wastewater pumping station, and there's a road to the station, so I was able to use a first aid kit and wipe it a little and get some iodine on, and my wife was able to ride home and come back with the van for me & bike.