Had my first 'off' yesterday

[naffa]

Well about 18 miles into a towpath ride I had my first accident, and tbh I mean my '1st' in all my cumulative years of cycling.
It was my own fault, no doubt of that but I was very lucky in some ways.
I didn't injure myself seriously, just a badly scrazed elbow and a swollen and painful wrist.
I didn't end up in the canal although 30% of my mtb did including the bit that contained my mobile phone which is now dried out and working again.
So what went wrong?
Well basically I was riding for the first time in many many years using toe clips, I accelerated hard from the top of a bridge down under a road bridge. As I came under the road I was faced with a cyclist also getting a move on. I braked hard and the rear of the bike came around but I tried to take my feet from the pedals and wasn't thinking about them being held in by straps and clips, hence as I came to a stop (without colliding with the approaching cyclist). I couldn't get my feet down so I kind of toppled over landing hard on my wrist and hitting my elbow along the concrete.
I ended up very close to the canal but with my feet still in the toe clips the bike ended up in the canal and I was powerless to prevent it. fortunately my riding partner was soon there to grab my bike and lift it from the canal.
As we rode away I was laughing about what had happened but it had shook my mate up.
Leson learned though.
When forward vision is restricted I will proceed with more caution and less speed in the future.

Nathan

 

[Fast_Mark]

Glad to hear you're okay Nathan, and also to hear that you didn't end up in the drink. Nasty stuff, canal water. Full of diesel and all sorts.

As for toe clips, since a few offs when I was a kiddie I only ever ride on clipless or big spikey BMX pedals.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

At least no major harm done, just scared the crap out of everybody. I ride clips and straps on my fixed, I always ride with the straps very slightly loose, my feet are held but I can slip a foot out if when I need to.

 

[funnymummy]

Glad you wern't serioulsy injured & everything ok x

 

[coffeejo]

Sounds like it could have been nasty, hope you're fully recovered.

 

[benb]

I'd seriously get your wrist x-rayed. I landed on my wrist towards the end of last year. It felt sore but OK, and it turned out I had a fractured scaphoid. If that's the case, it's important that you get it seen to ASAP.

I hope that's not the case, and hope you're feeling better soon. More importantly, I hope the bike has no permanent damage.

 

[ColinJ]

I'm glad you are okay, but take it easy!

[QUOTE 1370853"]
I've nearly come off on The towpath a few times trying to avoid bikes charging the other way under bridges.

British Waterways has some rules on towpath cycling. Officially you're supposed to dismount under bridges and tunnels. I slow right down and ring my bell.
[/quote]
A mate of mine was the worse for wear cycling back from a party. He is quite tall and managed to headbutt a bridge over the Rochdale canal towpath. He ended up in the canal, fortunately not knocked unconscious or he wouldn't have lived to tell the tale!

He said that it possible to go from 'absolutely wrecked' to sober in 0.5 seconds. The adrenaline rush from a blow to the head and total immersion in freezing cold water did the trick!

 

[naffa]

Thanks for all the comments folks.
Today I woke with pain all down the right side of my upper body and arm but as the days progressed I have recovered from the pain and my wrist really doesn't feel that bad right noe. I have however not ridden since the 'off' simply due to time constraints but tomorrow I will try and cover about 35 miles so it will be a test of my wrist for sure.
I was using toe clips for the first time on a mtb when I had my 'off' but I had kept the straps very loose. I think that my mind just wasn't focused on taking my feet from the pedals towards the rear of the bike and not to the side.
Thats why the bike came to a stop and I just toppled sideways with my feet still in the pedals.
So hopefully lesson learned. I'm not going back to strapless pedals as the benefit I felt throughout the ride was enormlous and well worth the odd knock here and there.

 

[MickL]

I cycle from Coseley to Wolves pretty much every morning, lots of blind spots round the bridges but cycling through Coseley tunnel is an adventure

 

[Wardy]

Had a couple of panics trying to get my feet out of clips and straps (and also spd's) so I know how you must have felt. From similar experience, you tend to feel your injuries moreso the next day, so I hope things have eased somewhat. You're lucky with your mobile phone as they don't take to dunking!

 

[naffa]

Cycling through the Coseley tunnel really increases my heartrate. The darkness, the cobbles all makes for a nervous ride (for me at least), lol.
On Sunday I was riding through it towards Tipton and it was my right hand that I injured so trying to guide myself along the railings was a painful experience.

Tonight I've been out on my first ride since the 'off' and I've really felt it in my right wrist.
We rode to Sandwell Valley along the canal then along the river tame, but along the rutted canal towpath my hand and wrist were becoming very painful.
Still fitness wise this was an excellent ride for me as I really could see and feel on the hills the difference that a couple of weeks riding can really make.