Staying upright

[Venod]

My brother in law who has been an ocasional cylist for many years fell of on a right hand turn on a frosty morning a couple of weeks ago, he was in agony and was diagnosed with a broken hip.
A mates wife was talking to his wife on Friday enquiring how he was, a bit later my mates wife got a call from her husband saying he had fallen off his bike and could she come and pick him up, he had fallen off on a level crossing (the rails cross the road at 30 degees) he sent me a text later to say he was OK but getting checked out at casualty, he now has to have a replacement hip, be carfull out there.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Should the title not be "Not staying upright"?

 

[irw]

I'm confused...was that two different people with broken hips, or the same guy twice, who broke it, then broke it even more?

 

[Venod]

I'm confused...was that two different people with broken hips, or the same guy twice, who broke it, then broke it even more?

Two different people, first my brother in law, then my mate.

 

[Slick]

Yeah, conditions have been a bit of a nightmare lately. Between the threat of damaging my bikes and the risk of getting caught out like you describe, I've kinda given up the bike for the rest of the year unless there's an improvement in conditions. Just not worth it.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Yes, my ride last Thursday included a lot more main road than normal and a little bit of walking.

 

[mjr]

Just bought more studded tyres. And take care to corner gentler and cross rails and kerbs as close to square as reasonably possible.

 

[Drago]

Time for a recumbent trike methinks.

 

[mjr]

[QUOTE 5082734, member: 9609"]I do worry about this as I can't seem to stop going out, think I did 150 mile last week mostly on icy roads, big problems are not being able to get out of the saddle on steep hills for loss of traction, some bends looking so dodgy you just have to straight line into the opposite verge, and hedge clipping that you can't weave in and out of.

So to my question; When the big OFF happens, and at some point it will, do you get much warning or is it pretty dam quick, and is serious injury quite common (I'm under some illusion that I bounce quite well, I did 30 years ago) I do wear my lid at this time of year[/QUOTE]
It's quick. Usually the first warning I've had is the crunch of frost under tyres goes silent as I ride onto ice. Then I think it's when I try to balance the bike by shifting weight that I suddenly find myself on the road by the bike.

Serious injury seems rare because I think I've slid down various roads over the years and never had more than bruises. I only used a helmet the last time and it was the last time I wore one, I think. Back to thick soft hats in winter since... oh and studded tyres now, which are worth more than any mitigation because they're prevention.

 

[numbnuts]

Time for a recumbent trike methinks.

.....and people ask me "why have you got one of them"

 

[hoopdriver]

I learned my lesson the hard way - although not as hard as that - five years ago. Riding slowly around a roundabout on a frosty morning, no sign of trouble whatsoever (it wasn't even that frosty of a morning) and suddenly - bam! Shoulder ligaments badly screwed up - and still not right these five years later. Indeed my achy shoulder reminds me of that fall every time the weather turns. Now if it is colder than about 3-5C I just go to the gym...

A pity. I really used to love riding on frosty mornings, too. There is quite a magic to riding in the lanes on a cold clear winter's morning with everything whitened by hoar frost...

 

[Illaveago]

I was wondering if there was any padding or protection one could use if anybody has to go out in icy conditions. I wear gloves in case I fall off so as to protect them, I wear a helmet mainly to keep my family happy but it's main use is to keep the sun off my head. So it might be a good idea to put a bit of extra padding in the vulnerable areas, knees, hips and elbows just in case.

 

[Alex H]

I was wondering if there was any padding or protection one could use if anybody has to go out in icy conditions. I wear gloves in case I fall off so as to protect them, I wear a helmet mainly to keep my family happy but it's main use is to keep the sun off my head. So it might be a good idea to put a bit of extra padding in the vulnerable areas, knees, hips and elbows just in case.

 

[MrGrumpy]

Not worth it if there is black ice or at least a risk of it. Had several offs last week on the same morning, I had ignored my own advice for the last two years and went out cycling. There is no warning and even if you can see it and are on it, you will go down and it can hurt. Got a huge lump on my side just now . Ice tyres seem to be popular, so is the train or the car

 

[Venod]

[QUOTE 5082734, member: 9609"](I'm under some illusion that I bounce quite well, I did 30 years ago)[/QUOTE]

That is the prob[em we think we are invincible, I don't bounce as well as I used to and an injury takes longer to heal.

Now if it is colder than about 3-5C I just go to the gym...

I was an all winter rider, but nowadays if it drops below 5C I have to seriously consider if its worth it, mainly because I can't cope with the cold anymore.