Originally posted by Fixey
I never put my self in anyone's catagory...
I do not have a crash problem....
I'm with you Fixey. If you race (at any serious level), you are going to crash. Bumping handlebars and touching pedals and wheels is normal bunch-riding stuff, Brizza. The skill level required to keep you upright in that situation is not sufficient to keep you from getting wiped out when the pack goes down because someone rolled a tub going around a corner (ask me how I know). What size bunches are you riding in when you're racing? Looking out in front is not enough to save you when you're boxed in and the pack goes down in front at speed.
I don't race these days, but, back when I did, I doubt if there was anyone I raced against who didn't crash at least once per year. I've eaten ashphalt through other riders' taking me out, through equipment failures and through my own misjudgements. I've hit bikes, cars, kerbs, traffic islands, ditches.....but I don't consider myself to have a crashing problem, either. If you are not riding at a level where crashing is a very real possibility, then you are not riding at your full potential. I've crashed road racing, track racing and out on training runs. I never crashed in a Time Trial, but plenty of my mates did - and they were all better at TT's than me (I avoided TT's like the plague). I grew up riding dirt bikes so I understand the skills of staying upright while your tyres are sliding, but that is not always enough.
Fixey isn't saying that he's at the same level as the Pro's, he's merely pointing out that the very best riders also crash. They crashed when they were coming up through the ranks - and they crash when they're on top of the ranks.
WHEN (not if) you crash on the road, shaved legs are better. IF you NEVER crash, try riding harder. You may yet achieve that lofty level.
Eoin C