When did you last fall off?

[disabled rider]

last winter. Riding on sidewalks to avoid traffic on narrow street. Residents Not clearing snow on corner properties within 24 hrs of show fall completion or 24hrs after snowplow leaves a berm. 2 1/2 ft high berm. Front tire went up and over, only to sink suddenly causing peddles to snag on hard pack causing me to nose dive over handlebars. spraining wrist.

This accident was completely preventable, if the home owner followed city ordnance to remove snow on time, not weeks later.

street with the black ice causes total traction loss for me, regardless of tire style on. I am not buying expensive metal style stud tires. And I am not risking falling into traffic over the loss of traction.

My biking in winter is not by choice it is by necessity.

 

[Sara_H]

All my Sudden Unintended Dismounts have occurred when stationary.

The last one was a year ago, just on the way back from the station following my Coast and Castles tour.
I decided to get off and walk up the big hill near my hous, bike wobbled and off I toppled flat on my back like an updide down turtle.

Nothing hurt except my pride. The whole episode was witnessed by a fella in his driveway who looked on bemused, but offered no help what so ever!

 

[Keith Smith]

On Saturday. Couldn't un-clip before coming to a stop.........................DONK!

Only my pride damaged

 

[Bromptonaut]

3rd July this year. Foolishly decided to ride Brompton over wet steel decking on car park. Slight dab of brake and WHAM - went down like a felled oak into left hip and collar bone. Far more violent then any fall I've had before; might has well have been on ice. Staggered to car but couldn't bend enough to actually get in.

Mrs and Miss B were summoned and ferried me to casualty. Fractures to left neck of femur and collar bone. Femur required pinning next day under general anaesthetic, collar bone just hurt like hell.

6 weeks on crutches and eight off work. Back on bike now but still limping slightly and will be under observation for a couple of years.

 

[SportMonkey]

Face planted due to dropping my front wheel in to a drain grid on my way out to the Manchester - Blackpool night ride. Only a few scratches on my aerobars though.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

A year ago on Thursday, A hit and run left hook from behind at speed by a cretin who decided to race me to a junction. I ended up calming down the guy behind who saw it and wanted to go after the driver and batter them.

Yet another visit to the knee specialist tomorrow and possibly another op needed yet, I almost wish I'd let him.

 

[Flying Dodo]

street with the black ice causes total traction loss for me, regardless of tire style on. I am not buying expensive metal style stud tires. And I am not risking falling into traffic over the loss of traction.

My biking in winter is not by choice it is by necessity.

Here in the UK, studded commuter tyres aren't that expensive - possibly double the standard cost of a normal tyre (or tire). However, if you have to cycle in heavy winter conditions, then I'd say they are a necessity worth saving up for, as it means you can keep going on ice and through snow.

 

[fossyant]

last winter. Riding on sidewalks to avoid traffic on narrow street. Residents Not clearing snow on corner properties within 24 hrs of show fall completion or 24hrs after snowplow leaves a berm. 2 1/2 ft high berm. Front tire went up and over, only to sink suddenly causing peddles to snag on hard pack causing me to nose dive over handlebars. spraining wrist.

This accident was completely preventable, if the home owner followed city ordnance to remove snow on time, not weeks later.

street with the black ice causes total traction loss for me, regardless of tire style on. I am not buying expensive metal style stud tires. And I am not risking falling into traffic over the loss of traction.

My biking in winter is not by choice it is by necessity.

No disrespect, but that is a foolhardy attitude.

Clearing footpaths/sidewalks - not required in the UK, but even if it was, folk are lazy, and just don't bother. I can imagine that's the same in the US - probably more so. Sidewalks are usually more dangerous than roads.

Even if cleared you will have icy patches caused by melt water re-freezing overnight - just as dangerous.

Studded tyres are your only safe(ish) option, and even then you need to be cautious. You were lucky with a sprained wrist - a few on UK forums fell of on roads over the last two winters - a few broken hips. If you are riding in winter over obviously dangerous road/pavement, and don't use a studded tyre, then you can't really blame anyone, you can't blame anyone if you fall off with studded tyres either as they have limitations.

I do cycle all year, but if I fall off on ice, it's my fault. I have studded tyres and ride accordingly.

 

[Arjimlad]

Came off on Shrove Tuesday about 3 years ago, I was turning right into a side road after dark when my wheels just slid out from under me and I came down hard on my hip and shoulder. Bashed the bar ends on my flat bar bike.

Hip was quite sore for a few weeks after, the GP said it was bursitis.

This knocked my cornering confidence, but from examining my clothing I think it was basically diesel on the road wot did it.