My First off

[J4CKO]

In three and a bit years of commuting, not sure what the average mean time before falling off is but I was hoping to go a little longer !

Just pulling right round the roundabout at work, slowed down as roundabout was wet, next thing I know I am on the floor, nice swirly, colourful patterns on the road suggested that there was fuel involved and potentially partly down to pumping the tyres up last night so were good and solid, i.e. zero grip, just basically went from under me and I fell onto my right side, have a nice gravel rash on my thigh, bashed elbow, knee, removed tops of two fingers and a bash on my left leg, bit sore but not too bad. noriced a couple of cars spinning their wheels when pulling away so guess it must have been slippy.

Bike seems fine, there was no abrupt stop so no bent wheels, bar tape looking a bit sorry, front brake level bent in and rubber screwed up.

A couple of people asked if I was ok, then I got my wife to pick me up and am now working from home, could have done without drivers driving through the puddle near where I was stood and the Dog slightly disturned me by trying to lick the blood off my leg when I got in, didnt seem like some kind of doggy first aid, just my dog making it clear that given a chance he will eat me.

 

[clarion]

Ouch! Glad you're still with us.

Yes, the roads have been really greasy the last few days. I've been riding a loaded tandem through central London, and it's been a bit stressful.

 

[numbnuts]

OUCH again, but you'll live you have to watch out for greasy roads

 

[J4CKO]

Thought I was watching for them, thats whats rattled me a bit, slowed down quite a bit, avoided the manhole cover and this one can be pretty greasy, have pedalled out of it once, getting a move on as a car was waiting and oversteered, like a bloody Rally Car, back end of the bike sliding.

Fairly certain it was diesel, could see the patterns as I came onto it and thought "shoot" just before I went over, possibly also due to having just topped the tyres up, so small contact patch and a lubricant on the road.

First proper fall involving blood and pain, dont count the lying down on a junction when I first got SPD's as it didnt involve any damage to me or the bike, there was one when I was on a rural path where I cause a tree branch but that was more funny than anything.

 

[fossyant]

Bad luck.

Sometimes you can't avoid the stuff.

 

[jonny jeez]

In three and a bit years of commuting, not sure what the average mean time before falling off is but I was hoping to go a little longer !

Sorry to hear that J4CKO, Glad there no great injury or damage.

 

[scouserinlondon]

ouch mate. I feel your pain, literally. From my recent experience expect to stiffen up a couple of days after. I fell of on thursday, felt okay Friday, but still and in pain all weekend.

Take care.

 

[HLaB]

Ouch, Glad you are OK mate.
btw is this your dog

 

[lulubel]

Fairly certain it was diesel

You don't have much chance with diesel, tbh, unless you manage to just drift through it in a straight line and wait until it's cleared off your tyres before you try to turn, speed up or brake.

When I worked as a bus driver, I always got off my bike when I arrived at the entrance to the depot, and walked the rest of the way. Having seen one of my colleagues go over on his mountain bike when he rode into the yard, I figured it was worth the walk!

 

[mickeyt69]

Yeh well done for going so long before your first crash I've only been riding again for 4 months got my 1st road bike 2 weeks ago 1st crash was 2 days ago diesel on road and wet weather don't mix with slicks feeling the gravel rash it bloody hurts dosn't it. Speedy recovery mate

 

[J4CKO]

Yes, cheers for that an likewise !

I am all recovered but being nearly 41 I have noticed that things don't heal as quickly.

Am taking that roundabout very gingerly nowadays, usually greasy and it always has the worn smooth manhole covers to contend with.

Noticed int he lowest gear that there was a tapping noise of rear mech on spokes, mech didnt look bent, so stuck the spare wheel on and its fine but it didn't seem to be out of true, will bung it in for a true up at some point.

Long since got precious about the bike but still, dont want to wreck it, two years in and its showing some signs of use now.