So I am on my way to the Earth day ride on Sunday.
I have my newly built cyclocross bike on the rack and I am cruising along at about 70 mph on the highway.
I pass a tractor trailer and merge back into the right lane. I look in the rearview mirror a couple seconds later and see my bike bouncing about six foot off the ground. It’s flipping, spinning, crashing and bouncing again. I can’t seem to take my eyes off of the graceful motion when I refocus on what is behind the bike and realize the tractor trailer I just passed is closing fast on the dancing bike.
Thankfully the driver of the truck had the skills to avoid the bike and allow the poetic motion to continue. But alas the forces of gravity and friction grasped the bike firmly and held it tight to the ground in the middle of the highway. I quickly pulled over to the side of the road, put the car in reverse and backed toward the bike as I watched other drivers avoid the crumpled mass in the road.
I ran from the car to the twisted artwork in the road, picked it up and put it back on the bike rack and drove down to the bike co-op to pick up another bike for the Earth day ride.
I haven’t had a chance to do a thorough check up but I am pretty sure the patient will need major surgery to recover from that little suicidal stunt.
Not sure what happened, I have carried bikes on the same rack for years and never had a mishap. Gust of wind off the lake? Bump in the road? Harmonic motion of the car suspension coupled with flexing of the rack? Cursed bike maybe.
Well I just hope the patient survives and that future rides on the bike are less eventful than it’s maiden voyage.

Enjoy

Ouch.

You should tie or chain the bike to the rack, just like you chain a trailer to your car separate from the hitch.

geez that is harsh. I'm not sure how I would react if I saw my bike fall off the rack into the road.
Definitely check your rack out, wouldn't want that to happen again heh.

Oooo. That sucks. Give us a progress report and let us know what's up with that rack!

It was a lot more peaceful than I thought it would be.
Possibly because I never rode the bike and therefore had not yet bonded with it.

Enjoy

While it's really harsh losing a bike that way, be thankful that you didn't kill anyone.

When I read the title of this thread I thought you were doing an insane downhill on the bike with a fast tailwind when you lost it!

Perhaps I'm thinking that because I lost some skin yesterday when I wiped out on a turn at 30 mph in Rocky Mountain National Park yesterday.

RFM

I just cringed as I read that.
Sorry doesn't say enough for that story.

Yikes. Maybe you should get a station wagon so the bike can go inside...

What can I say except "That truly sucks man". Wonder what the heck made it come off like that. Sorry to hear about your mishap.

Karma, you should have rode to "Earth Day" ??


I was actually surprised at the the people who did drive....including me.

Lets all get into our cars and drive to a place where we can celebrate not wasting resources. Look how good we all are!

Seriously though, sorry about your bike! Make sure you fix the rack before putting another bike on it.

peace,
sam

Ouchey....

What sort of rack? Hitch/trunk/roof mount?

I hope the bike survives!!!

Note to self.... Attach bike securly

I thought earth day was on the 23rd?

This thread is worthless without pics.

-Z (Pic-Doc Spot)

p.s. sorry about your loss.

I fear this situation every day. I recently purchased an inexpensive rear rack and the instructions said I needed to lock the bike to the rack with parts not supplied. They didn't really go into any detail and I was wondering how one locks their bike to the rack.

I saw this happen once, and the driver didn't know the bike came off, he just kept on going. Must have freaked when he got where he was going and no bike!

Glad you went on to Earth Day thing, hope car insurance is good to you.

Drove to an Earth Day ride? Do you get dirty looks when you show up?

I'm thankful for that everyday.

Enjoy

I had something similar happen with a Keg back in college. It's always the ones we love that suffer.

Good one.

I would have but I had the GF with me and she likes to make sure her hair is just right before putting her helmet on so we were running a bit late. I was also transporting tools for the co-op so I could ride sag support.

Enjoy

Yea, I'll get on that tonight when I make a full diagnosis.

Enjoy

El Cheapo trunk mount.
I normally transport my bikes inside my SUV (It can seat four comfortably).
But being E-day and all, I thought it would be nicer to take the GF's Jetta.

Her bike didn't budge an inch from the time I loaded it until the time we arrived.
I'm thinking her bike was insanely jealous and pushed mine off the rack.

Enjoy

Hahhah. Oh man. -nice one