Safe Speed Forums

I mentioned in a post a wee while ago that a 'crash log' may be a worthwhile post.

Primarily for 'dissection' of what went wrong, preventions & lessons learnt, or, the cautionary tales where it wasn't a 'favorable outcome'.

But also, to have a little light-hearted entertainment with the plethora of collisions, near-misses & tumbles most enthusiastic cyclists endure! We might actaully learn something.

eg. certain tyre brands to avoid or the best performing helmet. Well, just let it flow:

Try to keep it sort of logical.
1. Type of cycle / rider experience level. (tandem, novice)
2. Weather condition / location (city, rural, D/C, roundabout etc.)
3. Incident & apx. speeds involved. (clipped kerb at 20mph, pothole, hit by car, oil on road etc.)
4. Resulting damages & protection/clothing worn if any . (mild grazing, coma, full face helmet, SPD shoes)
5. Lesson learnt if any. (check brake cables, don't oil brakes, never eat yellow snow...)

Might as well get the cyclists tumbling......

First 'biggie'

15yrs ago, so still a novice on an old road bike, dry weather & down slight hill past police station. Riding far too close to kerb, drifted & clipped with front wheel (& couldn't get back out) at around 20mph. Hit once, twice, three times upon which wheel collapsed and wedged behind forks. Catapulted in front of bike, wearing no protection - perfect roll & twist landing to face uphill - not even a graze - SMACK - bike following me so got crossbar in the mouth. Smashed front teeth.

Stay more than 6" away from kerbs!

Teeth again.....


During a spate of "a new bike every 4-6 months" .....

Claud Butler Vantage 300CX.... 7000 series alloy MTB with crappy tyres...

Had this bike a couple of months, I'd still concider myself an experienced novice with much to learn at this point. Road just drying out after a shower of rain. Leant the bike over at only 15mph ish to enter junction. Front wheel washed out on greasy surface & I faceplanted on tarmac. Smashed implants (dental!), and some top lip grazing (hitler syyle). Again, no protection (gonna be a common theme).

Why? I read the conditions wrong & had crappy off-road tyres (horizontal tread). Never did that again.....

Sold bike before the 'fluff' had worn off the tyres. Hated it. POC!

Rear window wipe....

ps. Take it as read that in ALL urban (commuting) incidents I don't wear any protection. Only off-road. Unwise I know, in light of my own admissions.

Happened a few times now

One - test riding a customers bike to diagnose problem gears. First use of brakes....was none to speak of....ah, the OTHER problem . Braced for impact & came to gentle rest on bumper - hands out on rear window to prevent falling over. My fault entirely. Driver apologised for pulling out in front of me....who was I to dispute the 'facts'! Never, ever ride a bike without checking you can stop & it's roadworthy.

Two - 'worst' crash ever.

Current bike (Scott G-Zero FX-1) - about 3 years ago. Decending slight incline towards 2 lane roundabout on dry sunny day. Approach speed 30+ (same pace as cars), making RH turn. Look, signal & move to RH lane. Brake. Ejit pulls over in front of me reducing my braking area by 20'. Brake! Brake! Brake!
Now been pulling a 'stoppie" for the last 20' or so even though I'm weighted right back. Just no way I'm gonna stop in space left. So 4-5 feet from impact (potential head through window) I ditch the bike and get hands out. Launch (SPDs realease ) and land on right knee from about 4' up, sliding down rear screen. No damage to vehicle (just wiped dust off), bike - scuffed bar plug. Me - banged up knee. Driver apologises for pulling over into my lane - not a SMIDSY, but "I thought 'cos you were a bike you'd just be going round the outside of the roundabout so I just moved over." Let him go as there was nothing major. Hobbled around & ended up with a lift to casualty with the blood now seeping down my trouser leg. (Friend drove by). Long story short-----split skin , 'chipped' knee cap (still got a divot), couldn't walk / use knee for a month as immovable. Discovered Ibruprofen which aided recovery. I still can't kneel on it more than 3 years after the event.

Lesson - don't assume the area you can 'see' to be clear will remain so! And ALWAYS take the drivers details! "Hello, accident claim line?"

so its just you then?

Yup! I was a one-man accident on wheels signle handedly spilling my blood for the greater good ....just on my bike though.

10th May 2004, heavy showers, grit all over the rims so brakes graunching like mad and I am trying not to use them. Coming down a hill on a country lane that I know well at 30 mph. Don't take my usual turn up another lane but try to take tight, damp corner at around 25 mph. Next thing I know I am on my right side sliding along the road. Unfortunately wearing summer gear so road rash on forehead, fingers, forearm, thigh, knee. Look a bit of a mess so ring my daughter to take me to A&E. Bike only grazed. I think I must have been pedalling around the corner and caught the right-hand pedal on the road.
Back on bike 2 weeks later but only start riding seriously 4 weeks later. Always wear a helmet now and don't take risks descending hills. Scars to remind me of why you need to be careful.