Lessons Learnt

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B

bpsmith

Veteran
Got my first ride in today, since my little incident 3 weeks ago.

Just wanted to share what I have learnt and encourage others to share lessons that they have picked up along their cycling history too.

Firstly, not really a lesson but more of a confirmation, is that I absolutely love this hobby/sport that we are all lucky enough to share! Today’s ride has set me back a touch mentally, and more so physically, but I still had a huge smile for 30 miles. :smile:

Secondly, when I do experience close overtakes, I have decided to do just that, Smile! It may not be fair to us, but a lot of drivers don’t care anyway. I have found today that the negative element disappears almost instantly when the smile appears on my face, rather than affect me negatively by thinking about it for the next mile. I even noticed two drivers actually smile apologetically, and wave in their rear view mirrors, having realised what happened. I like to think that’s due to the smile and not a gesture which just gets their back up.

Thirdly, on a different note, don’t underestimate the difference that a clean and lube does to the bearings of SPD-SL pedals. My best bike was stripped, cleaned and lubed whilst I couldn’t ride and the main difference I noticed was how smooth the pedals were rotating and how easier it was to clip in as the pedal was more in the right place every single time I clipped in. I am talking solely on how they felt and not suggesting any type of performance difference.

Bike rode like a dream...sadly the legs and heart didn’t agree after the time off. Choosing to try a Road I have never done that I knew had a cheeky steep bit, may have been pushing my luck. 17% for only 0.1 miles before getting to the 1.2 mile long 7.2% climb was interesting. Normally fine, not today. :smile:
 
Ajax Bay

Ajax Bay

Guru
Location
East Devon
A lesson is not learnt until something has (been) changed. Until then it's a lesson identified (or more normally, reidentified).
Edited!
So Lesson 2 above is: After experiencing a close overtake, stay positive.
:okay:
Lesson 3: I will put pedal servicing on the list of things to consider doing (sleeping dogs and lying come to mind).

Like the OP I have just resumed riding, some 9 weeks since my 'off' and apart from a couple of pub runs, my first ride was 103km on Friday in glorious Devon sunshine (to keep my CC Metric century a month challenge 'alive').
Back to the thread topic - analysing my little accident the lessons I drew were:
1) A ‘fast’ puncture going at speed (especially downhill) is likely to cause the rider to crash, especially if any braking or turning is needed.
2) Don’t apply any front brake (or release it if it’s already being used). Shift weight back to get as much effect from the back brake as possible.
3) Stay as straight as possible [hedges/verges are softer than asphalt].
4) Check tyre pressures before each ride. Do a thumb check on each tyre at every stop (well, every couple of hours).
 
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Mrs M

Mrs M

Guru
Location
Aberdeenshire
bpsmith said:
Got my first ride in today, since my little incident 3 weeks ago.

Just wanted to share what I have learnt and encourage others to share lessons that they have picked up along their cycling history too.

Firstly, not really a lesson but more of a confirmation, is that I absolutely love this hobby/sport that we are all lucky enough to share! Today’s ride has set me back a touch mentally, and more so physically, but I still had a huge smile for 30 miles. :smile:

Secondly, when I do experience close overtakes, I have decided to do just that, Smile! It may not be fair to us, but a lot of drivers don’t care anyway. I have found today that the negative element disappears almost instantly when the smile appears on my face, rather than affect me negatively by thinking about it for the next mile. I even noticed two drivers actually smile apologetically, and wave in their rear view mirrors, having realised what happened. I like to think that’s due to the smile and not a gesture which just gets their back up.

Thirdly, on a different note, don’t underestimate the difference that a clean and lube does to the bearings of SPD-SL pedals. My best bike was stripped, cleaned and lubed whilst I couldn’t ride and the main difference I noticed was how smooth the pedals were rotating and how easier it was to clip in as the pedal was more in the right place every single time I clipped in. I am talking solely on how they felt and not suggesting any type of performance difference.

Bike rode like a dream...sadly the legs and heart didn’t agree after the time off. Choosing to try a Road I have never done that I knew had a cheeky steep bit, may have been pushing my luck. 17% for only 0.1 miles before getting to the 1.2 mile long 7.2% climb was interesting. Normally fine, not today. :smile:
Click to expand...
Well done :smile:
Amazing what a difference a wee smile can make :smile::bicycle:
 
Ajax Bay

Ajax Bay

Guru
Location
East Devon
bpsmith said:
wanted to share what I have learnt and encourage others to share lessons that they have picked up along their cycling
Click to expand...
When planning to execute a sharp (slow) turn, unclip the inside foot before the turn.
During a manoeuvre requiring braking, release your bakes instantaneously (ie release and afterwards reapply) when crossing metal road furniture (eg grating, manhole covers) or white lines.
Cross a cattle grid at right angles to the bars with decent momentum (if uphill, accelerating beforehand), do not brake, do not pedal and keep the front wheel straight.
 
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Ajax Bay

Ajax Bay

Guru
Location
East Devon
I thought that your post was a jolly good topic for a thread. Sorry you chose to take my comments negatively and I'm glad the 'likes have mollified that (and I have added mine). We are both just coming back from injury after an off (mine without any third party involvement) so I empathise in that respect.
I didn't suggest you'd waved or that the lesson was to wave; implicitly the reverse.
I wasn't sure whether you'd done the lubrication of your pedals or someone else had, while you were injured. I've not been able to maintain my bike since the accident so I envy you your two armed capability for the period off the bike. I'm sure pedals which have been relubed will be better than before, especially if they were 'gritty' in the first place.
bpsmith said:
Ironically your first one actually isn’t s lesson either, as by your very definition it’s a statement and nothing has changed.
Click to expand...
I can see what you mean by "A ‘fast’ puncture going at speed (especially downhill) is likely to cause the rider to crash, especially if any braking or turning is needed." not being a lesson (this list is taken directly from my analysis of my accident - see the link). But perhaps it might be recognised as a lesson (re)identified. What do I need to change to learn it? Take steps to minimise the chance of the occurrence at all costs.
I will try to make the changes to immediate action responses I described at 2) and 3) and adopt the practice at 4). Also (as someone else has suggested - it is not my practice) do not swap front and rear tyres around to 'even' out the wear on a pair.
 
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