Lessons learnt the hard way

[redjedi]

Last night, after fixing my third flat in 10 days, I re-installed the rear wheel.

As soon as I started to ride away, (Stood up as it was in a high gear) the rear wheel came off and I landed on the ground

I was most worried that I had landed on my recovering arm or hand, but luckily they were fine.

The only reason I could think this would happen, was if the wheel wasn't secured properly. I had tried to put the wheel back in with the QR skewer still in place (normally I remove it) and I must have got the springs caught in the drop outs. Even though I gave the wheel a spin before starting, the extra force of pedalling made it pop out.

The only witnesses were a mother and son. The latter pointed out that my bike had fallen to pieces

Apart from my pride, my foot is killing me. I landed on the ratchet buckle of my shoe and my foot is a little swollen today, so trained it in today.

Now I've made that mistake, you don't need to



Help save others embarrassment and/or pain. What have you learnt the hard way?

 

[Ben774]

This is my area of expertise at the moment with being new to commuting. These have all been learnt in the last 3 weeks:

1. Your hand will burn if you use it to stop a spinning wheel when setting up your bike.
2. Laces and pedals do not mix.
3. Brakes work better when the quick release mech's are engaged.
4. It's best to have your inside pedal up when sharp cornering.
5. No car driver will ever see you. Ever (already learnt from motorcycling)
6. Truck doors can open suddenly at head height.

And my personal favorite -

7. I am not fast enough to overtake an old tractor.

 

[jamesxyz]

don't ride on icy roads in the dark

avoid horse / cow manure when cycling uphill

 

[BentMikey]

Be very careful on wet wooden surfaces!

 

[dan_bo]

Reengage your canti's before seting off after a puncture repair!

 

[magnatom]

Wet manhole covers are a little slippery.

 

[ttcycle]

on a tight corner where you're leaning in low put weight down on the outside foot

EDIT - Take a sharp hard hit with your hand onto the tyre before you ride off if you're using QR skewers- if it's going to fall out -it'll do it then before a hard lesson is learnt

 

[Alien8]

When starting off, up hill, on a fixed make sure both feet are properly clipped in before attempting to put the power down unless you want swerve violently to one side and nearly fall in to some road-works.

 

[jonny jeez]

This is my area of expertise at the moment with being new to commuting. These have all been learnt in the last 3 weeks:

1. Your hand will burn if you use it to stop a spinning wheel when setting up your bike.
2. Laces and pedals do not mix.
3. Brakes work better when the quick release mech's are engaged.
4. It's best to have your inside pedal up when sharp cornering.
5. No car driver will ever see you. Ever (already learnt from motorcycling)
6. Truck doors can open suddenly at head height.

And my personal favorite -

7. I am not fast enough to overtake an old tractor.

 

[Theseus]

When starting off, up hill, on a fixed make sure both feet are properly clipped in before attempting to put the power down unless you want swerve violently to one side and nearly fall in to some road-works.

BTDTGTTS, except there were no road-works, just my silent scream as the jewels hit the top tube.

 

[jonny jeez]

Pissing on jellyfish stings does feck all good.


Am I missing the point?

 

[Trevrev]

Cycling too close to high curbs on busy dual carriageways.
They damage pedals, throw up loads of sparks and nearly throw you in front of the traffic.

 

[redjedi]

Pissing on jellyfish stings does feck all good.


Am I missing the point?

Not at all.....if your commute brings you into regular contact with jellyfish

 

[jonny jeez]

Not at all.....if your commute brings you into regular contact with jellyfish

well it is a lesson that I learnt the hard way .......and I do go quite close to the london aquarium, so you never know

 

[MacB]

cycling is far more expensive than an outsider would ever guess
seeing frost and dressing as if you were going for a gentle stroll will lead to a fat bloke dripping sweat all over the train station
trusting in a Garmin can get you very lost
check every dimension of a part for compatability before ordering - manufacturers are devious
clipless pedals for the masses originated as a joke until someone in marketing realised how gullible we are
talcum powder is good for babies bottoms but, applied to spare inner tubes, can make a heck of a mess of the inside of a pannier, and everything in it
failing to notice your saddle isn't in line can lead to a humungous saddle sore

and finally

when you have extremely attractive handlebars the jealousy of others, expressed as overt disgust, knows no bounds