I swear it was the leaf on the drain cover

[Matthames]

I had a bit of an off to today. Managed to highside my bike whilst approaching a downhill junction. The back just stepped out and found grip again which resulted in me being spat off the bike. Thankfully it was low speed.

 

[slowmotion]

Thing is, it's one of those spills that can happen completely out of the blue... just have to a bit more aware rather then less cavalier.. though of course being less cavalier will help also..

If one of those happened on Battersea Bridge with a double-decker patiently following fifteen yards behind.....well....... Toilet Time.


A bit sobering.

 

[HLaB]

Ouchio! Front wheel? Game over! Black ice did for me like that in January.

I was surprised last week; I lost my front wheel on a patch of oil and I managed to recover it, the hybrid has got big 37mm tires though and it'd have only been about 10mph. When it happened I thought 'Game Over' too!

 

[BSRU]

Personally I would have avoided the pedestrian area like the plague, lots of metal work, the paving slabs get very greasy with very little rain and this time of year, leaves. Although not knowing the area the alternative route maybe worse.
At least is was at slow speed and nothing seriously damaged.

 

[martint235]

Thing is, it's one of those spills that can happen completely out of the blue... just have to a bit more aware rather then less cavalier.. though of course being less cavalier will help also..

Yep I managed it a few years ago. One second your front wheel is there, the next you're in a heap on the floor. I managed to crack a rib (sore) and get deep tissue bruising (very, very sore!!!). Apparently according to my nice, smirky doc once you're over 40, DTB will take about 6 weeks to heal.

 

[magnatom]

Slightly off topic, that looks like a crazy place for a cycle lane! I'm sure you ride safely there Gaz, but I can just imagine when the shops are open, some cyclists zooming down that. How does it work in practice?

 

[fossyant]

leaves and drain covers.....Argh some dodgy bits on my commute too. Done similar myself, right infront of a traffic queue

 

[gaz]

Personally I would have avoided the pedestrian area like the plague, lots of metal work, the paving slabs get very greasy with very little rain and this time of year, leaves. Although not knowing the area the alternative route maybe worse.
At least is was at slow speed and nothing seriously damaged.

It's either this or two fast roads. One duel carriageway with an underpass and the other a 3 lane road.
I only cycle down here in the early morning or late at night when all the shops are closed and minimal people are around.
I can take a long route around, but its a lot longer.

 

[gaz]

Slightly off topic, that looks like a crazy place for a cycle lane! I'm sure you ride safely there Gaz, but I can just imagine when the shops are open, some cyclists zooming down that. How does it work in practice?

It's not a cycle lane. Just a highstreet which is closed to general traffic but cyclists are allowed to use it. I think there is a speed limit of 10mph down here and many cyclists don't follow that, even when it's busy!

 

[Origamist]

It's a rite of passage. There are nine main road surface problems that catch cyclists out: kerbs, diesel, wet leaves, cobbles, greasy road markings, pot-holes, tramlines, slippery manhole covers/grates and ice. I'm pleased to say I've hit the ground after problems with only 5 of the above!

 

[magnatom]

It's not a cycle lane. Just a highstreet which is closed to general traffic but cyclists are allowed to use it. I think there is a speed limit of 10mph down here and many cyclists don't follow that, even when it's busy!

Aye as soon as I posted that I realised that it wasn't a lane. I'm surprised that bikes are allowed down there. As you say, very few would keep to the speed limit. Do you know of there have been any cyclist/pedestrian collisions there?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

It's a rite of passage. There are eight main road surface problems that catch cyclists out: kerbs, diesel, wet leaves, cobbles, greasy road markings, tramlines, slippery manhole covers/grates and ice. I'm pleased to say I've hit the ground after problems with only 5 of the above!

Can I add plastic carrier bags!

 

[Origamist]

Can I add plastic carrier bags!

No, otherwise I'd have to add a large tree branch....

 

[Origamist]

[QUOTE 1235037"]
What about conkers?
[/quote]

If we're going to have conkers someone will then want acorns, if we allow acorns someone will then want a Chicken Cottage box with mushy fries and ketchup - where will the hazards end?

 

[gaz]

Aye as soon as I posted that I realised that it wasn't a lane. I'm surprised that bikes are allowed down there. As you say, very few would keep to the speed limit. Do you know of there have been any cyclist/pedestrian collisions there?

I'm not aware of any collisions having taken place. More accidents happen with the trams at the other end. Been a few fatal ped and cyclists vs tram collisions.

I don't get any people saying to me that I shouldn't be there. As long as you Are considerate to the peds ( dip lights, cycle slowly, give way to them etc)

______

Origamist, can we add handle bars snapping?