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Originally Posted by juf2m Today was a gorgeous day....ideal for riding. I put on my very cute new riding outfit, loaded up with water, map, money, health card, phone, granola, sunglasses, gloves and was off. I'll start by mentioning that this is only my 2nd year riding, but my abilities and confidence have made great strides. Today however, the cycling gods had it in for me.  I rode down the nature path for about 10 minutes until I got to the first intersection I had to cross. I started to roll slowly toward it and planned on riding across but then I heard a car and though I'd stop. But I had forgotten I was wearing those )(*&*&^%$$# clipless pedals! I have been riding my mountain bike lately and it has ordinary pedals so I guess I forgot. Then I got the sickening feeling as I began to topple over that I wouldn't get unhooked in time. It is the most helpless feeling in the world, isn't it? CRASH I crashed onto my side, with my knee hitting both the bike and grinding into the gravel/pavement. Lots of expletives rang through the air. A garbage truck rolled by and the guy asked me if I needed any help. I smiled and said noooooooooo.  It's not the knee, or the pain or the ugly way it will look for weeks to come, but the total loss of dignity that I hate. And to have to cut the ride off that soon and go home!!! After all the time it takes to get ready!! There was a huge flap of skin hanging down, all white and rubbery and I knew I'd have to turn back. So my bike and I limped home. The breaks must now be mis-alligned because it went "tsh tsh tsh" all the way home. I was too pissed off even to check which wheel it was, will deal with that later. What a waste of a good riding day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think this is my fifth crash and considering how often I just fall down on the pavement walking, it's a miracle I have any knees left! Some pictures for your interest....sorry about the long post, I just thought I'd vent to some people who might have gone through this humiliation too!  |
I went out to lunch one day from my office in downtown Los Angeles, CA. I though I was going to make a light, but at the last second stopped suddenly when some bozo came roaring through the intersection anticipating the green light. The sickening feeling, then CRASH! my handlebar bag with my wallet, cell phone and loose change popped open, and the contents spewed all over. There was as homless guy standing there who came to help me up. He said, "gee man, that must'a hurt. By the way, I couldn't help but notice you have some spare change...?"
Well, I went away "change free", a broken cell phone, and a heaping load of humiliation. The homeless guy was the only one who helped me. He was NOT the only one there: I had a really big lunchtime audience for that spill!!!
10-28.-2007
Re: Another beautiful ride RUINED by )(&*&%$ CLIPLESS PEDALS!!! 
I've been riding clipless for about a year and it is easier to dismount than from the old style clips, where you have to reach for the belts. The important think is to remember that you have your feet trapped in them 
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