Ice crash... my luck ran out.

[Mad Doug Biker]

Also I rarely carry a mobile phone because I hate being a slave to the bloody thing.

Err, I hate to break this to you, but you are only a slave to it as much you use it.
I hardly use mine but I'll still have it in my pocket unless I have an accident/get attacked/see a UFO, etc etc. I have it in a 'just in case' capacity.

I am no fan of them, but not carrying one just to prove some bloodyminded point about how you don't pander to them is IMHO quite pointless and pretty stupid for the reasons I gave above. I mean, in the original post, what if no one had come when Airbrake was injured? or had been somewhere remote?? What would have happened??

Anyway, Airbrake (I hope you recover and all), I used to carry mine about with it not switched on, but too many people complained. I am an anti social bug*er, but I at least realise that people might, just might, want to know where I am if I am out for a long ride. It's about being considerate to others.

Incidentally, yes, they do a transmit something to the nearest transmitter when switched off so that it 'knows' where it is apparently.

That radiation thing is SOOO '90s by the way - have it in you rucksack or somewhere far away from your head and text where possible if you are so concerned. I doubt there will be much problem if you hardly use it though!

 

[Brandane]

A bit late; but sorry to hear about your accident Airbrake. Hope you are well on the way to recovery now.

I had an off in the ice too, at the start of December. Escaped with a bruised rib or two but that was bad enough to keep me off work for 2 weeks and thereby cost me the remainder of this years holiday entitlement (year runs april to april, unfortunately not a calendar year!).

Between one thing and another I haven't been back on the bike since. Was actually considering blowing the cobwebs off today and getting a few miles in. But having read your story, I am not prepared to take the chance that the paths around here are clear of ice.

Hope you are fully recovered and back on the bike in the near future.

 

[Renard]

Between one thing and another I haven't been back on the bike since. Was actually considering blowing the cobwebs off today and getting a few miles in. But having read your story, I am not prepared to take the chance that the paths around here are clear of ice.

^ ^ ^

I thought exactly the same thing until I read this a few minutes ago. I still wince when I think of a particularly heavy fall on ice which I had a couple of winters back.


Airbrake, hope you make a speedy and full recovery. Best of luck!

 

[TVC]

My sympathies Airbrake, but you've failed to mention the most important thing. Is the bike OK?

 

[Campfire]

Hi Airbrake

I only just got back to this. I hope you're beginning to make a good recovery, you will be going through your book stock rapidly.

I tried the trike a couple of times, one in snow which wasn't too deep, the first lot we had. It was great and having a diff at the rear (delta trike) it performed well through the local country park with little 'hills' in. It would have been wonderful with studded rear tyres as I couldn't push too hard otherwise I would have spun the wheels anyway but I was surprised. The next lot of snow was OK through the park but I decided to use the virtually unused by pedestrian pavement (it's a bit underpopulated round there) and the snow was really deep, I had trouble pushing, as I sometimes have a bit of asthma and hadn't used my inhaler, and was a bit hungry too, so in places stopped and also pushed for a bit. It just happened that I was unable to go out more because of Christmas thingies at home but would certainly use the trike again with complete confidence in bad weather. Ian Simms from Greenspeed told me if I put 20" wheels on the back it would handle better in snow. I did post a picture of it in the photo thread under "Warrington" or something like it. Have a look.

Arch, my Mum is just like yours with mobile phones, she uses the same expression 'wasting' it. Mind you she is 90. I enjoy having a mobile phone but sometimes rarely answer it as I don't have it on loud enough to hear it in busy places!

Keep your spirits up Airbrake and I hope you will be up and running for when the weather bucks up - but take it easy hey?

 

[Norm]

Err, I hate to break this to you, but you are only a slave to it as much you use it.
I hardly use mine but I'll still have it in my pocket unless I have an accident/get attacked/see a UFO, etc etc. I have it in a 'just in case' capacity.

I am no fan of them, but not carrying one just to prove some bloodyminded point about how you don't pander to them is IMHO quite pointless and pretty stupid for the reasons I gave above. I mean, in the original post, what if no one had come when Airbrake was injured? or had been somewhere remote?? What would have happened??

Anyway, Airbrake (I hope you recover and all), I used to carry mine about with it not switched on, but too many people complained. I am an anti social bug*er, but I at least realise that people might, just might, want to know where I am if I am out for a long ride. It's about being considerate to others.

I have installed GPS apps precisely because I don't want to be a slave to the things. They transmit my location every so often so the family can check where I am and that I'm still making progress without having to phone me.

Also, I usually have mine muted or very quiet and I only answer when I'm not doing anything else. I find text much more friendly for passing messages anyway, that way the recipient can read and respond when it's convenient for them.

 

[airbrake]

Hi Airbrake,

I was just sat here thinking and for some reason I remembered your accident. Just thought I'd dig out this thread and ask how you were getting along?

MG

Hi MG,

Apologies for the very late reply (and to all other people's subsequent posts). The reason is that I lost my internet connection. I missed visiting the forum but hopefully I can now catch up.

Thanks for asking - I am gradually improving with better mobility each day. There's the odd click and pop from the joint, and I still can't put weight onto that side, but things are much better. My sleep is much better also - no more disturbance in the night from aches and pains. I saw the consultant a few days ago. He said the bone was healing and that I should be walking without crutches in 6 weeks. When I asked about how soon I could ride the bike, he again said 6 weeks, which sounds good

I looked at the X-ray and it still comes as a bit of a shock to see the length of the screws - about 5 inch ! The scar is very small at around 2 inch - it's amazing how they could work through such a narrow opening.

I'm looking forward to that first - very careful ride !

 

[airbrake]

Anyway, Airbrake (I hope you recover and all), I used to carry mine about with it not switched on, but too many people complained. I am an anti social bug*er, but I at least realise that people might, just might, want to know where I am if I am out for a long ride. It's about being considerate to others.

Thanks Mad Doug Biker. I agree it's more considerate to keep in touch, and I will in future take a mobile with me.

 

[airbrake]

A bit late; but sorry to hear about your accident Airbrake. Hope you are well on the way to recovery now.

I had an off in the ice too, at the start of December. Escaped with a bruised rib or two but that was bad enough to keep me off work for 2 weeks and thereby cost me the remainder of this years holiday entitlement (year runs april to april, unfortunately not a calendar year!).

Between one thing and another I haven't been back on the bike since. Was actually considering blowing the cobwebs off today and getting a few miles in. But having read your story, I am not prepared to take the chance that the paths around here are clear of ice.

Hope you are fully recovered and back on the bike in the near future.

Thanks very much Brandane. It's a slow and steady process, but every day sees improvement. Although in theory I could be riding the bike in 6 weeks, that very much depends on the weather - but I will be trying to get as much mobility back as possible just in case.


I think you are right to be wary of untreated surfaces. Things can happen so fast, and the outcome is a lottery. Besides, we can always make up the miles later

 

[airbrake]

^ ^ ^

I thought exactly the same thing until I read this a few minutes ago. I still wince when I think of a particularly heavy fall on ice which I had a couple of winters back.


Airbrake, hope you make a speedy and full recovery. Best of luck!

Thank you BJB !

 

[airbrake]

My sympathies Airbrake, but you've failed to mention the most important thing. Is the bike OK?

The bike survived a lot better than me !

 

[airbrake]

Hi Airbrake

I only just got back to this. I hope you're beginning to make a good recovery, you will be going through your book stock rapidly.

I tried the trike a couple of times, one in snow which wasn't too deep, the first lot we had. It was great and having a diff at the rear (delta trike) it performed well through the local country park with little 'hills' in. It would have been wonderful with studded rear tyres as I couldn't push too hard otherwise I would have spun the wheels anyway but I was surprised. The next lot of snow was OK through the park but I decided to use the virtually unused by pedestrian pavement (it's a bit underpopulated round there) and the snow was really deep, I had trouble pushing, as I sometimes have a bit of asthma and hadn't used my inhaler, and was a bit hungry too, so in places stopped and also pushed for a bit. It just happened that I was unable to go out more because of Christmas thingies at home but would certainly use the trike again with complete confidence in bad weather. Ian Simms from Greenspeed told me if I put 20" wheels on the back it would handle better in snow. I did post a picture of it in the photo thread under "Warrington" or something like it. Have a look.

Keep your spirits up Airbrake and I hope you will be up and running for when the weather bucks up - but take it easy hey?

Thank you Campfire. Apologies for the delay in replying, but I've been without the internet for a while. The recovery seems to be going well, and maybe in around 6 weeks I might be able to try the bike. The bone is knitting together, but I just have to be careful to avoid any shocks or jolts for a while - I will certainly be taking it easy !

Trikes sound good fun in the snow - stability, 2 driven wheels for traction and not as far to fall ! I wish I had more room for something like a trike or quad - just too many 2-wheelers clogging up the garage

I will check out your trike.

Thanks again.

 

[airbrake]

Just a brief update - my first ride today ! It felt very strange... the seat seemed ridiculously high, the handlebars a long stretch, and the steering light and fast (and this was the MTB !)

Standing on the pedals caused some pain in the right thigh, although pedalling seated was pain free. I pushed pretty hard after about 400 metres - still no pain, but a lot of strength has disappeared from both legs - as I was expecting. Both legs have the same strength (been walking 2 miles a day over the last few weeks).

I kept it down to one mile, and will build up the miles over the next few days.

 

[Stephenite]

Great news you're back in the saddle! But continue to take it easy for a while.

 

[mcshroom]

Great to hear you are back up and on the bike.

It'll come back just take it slowly to start with