Kizibu
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Sussex by the Sea
I had my first accident today. Came off on a greasy bit of road at the bottom of Ditchling Beacon. I was shaken but not seriously hurt.
As I posted here in 2008/9 I'd last riden a bike as an eleven year old. 50 years later I bought a hybrid bike at start of what I hoped would be a long and active retirement. It was hard-going to start with. But with some tremendous encouragement from this forum I rode about 500 miles in 2009. But with serious illness in the family, long periods away and other distractions, I fell out of the habit I'd begun so enthusiastically. The bike hung forlornly in the garage.
On Mayday this year, with my 65th birthday looming, I dusted and oiled her and began again at the beginning. I've logged nearly 200 miles since. I've worked back up again to my 22 mile road circuit from Brighton, over Ditchling Beacon (the gentle side) and along Underhill Lane to Lewes, returning via Falmer.
The road down the steep side of Ditchling Beacon was recently resurfaced and is much improved, though a great deal of stony and muddy debris still washes off the rough chalky banks. So my descent is always cautious. And fortunately I was going really slowly as I negotiated the right turn at the bottom into Underhill Lane. The next thing I knew I was sprawled on my belly, sliding across some incredibly greasy tarmac and loosely entangled with the bike. I think my front wheel slid from under me. But it all happened too quickly to take it in.
When I got up, I was filthy. Plastered in oily black stuff on the front of my jacket and down both legs. My right knee and elbow were a little grazed - seems the black stuff lubricated my skin as efficiently as it did my front tyre.
The next thing I noticed was a bad pain in my left thumb. I think it must have somehow got wrenched backwards. While I recovered my wits on the little grassy island at that junction I'm pleased to say two cars stopped to check I was OK. And a mountain biker negotiating the same turn almost came off as I did.
So what was I to do? I'd travelled 6 of my intended 22 miles, was pretty shaken and had a useless thumb. Turning back rather than attempting the remaining 16 miles seemed the obvious thing. But that meant my first ever ascent of the steep side the Beacon (I only go down it!).
Halfway up I was so breathless I was finally forced to stop. As I stood there panting, I noticed that my bike did not seem to be rolling freely. Both brakes seemed to be jammed partially on though quite how or why I could not really establish. Winding in the adjusters seem to ease the problem. The rest of the climb seemed a bit less effort. But the fact remains I made much of my first ascent of the steep side of Ditchling Beacon with my brakes on.
It was while I was panting up there I noticed the blood on the mudguards though how it got there I cannot imagine. I didn't seem to have shed much.
Once the Beacon had been crested I coasted gently home. My injured hand meant I couldn't change up on the chain rings unless I reached across with my right hand. But we made it. I'll check the bike over tomorrow when I'm calmer.
Did I learn any lessons? Looking back at the road, there did not seem any obvious clues to is skidpan quality other than that it was wet. Check your bike properly after a crash, idiot. Should I abandon shorts to protect my knees?(My fleece didn't prevent my elbow graze but it kept the wound cleaner). Am I indeed too old for this lark?
As I posted here in 2008/9 I'd last riden a bike as an eleven year old. 50 years later I bought a hybrid bike at start of what I hoped would be a long and active retirement. It was hard-going to start with. But with some tremendous encouragement from this forum I rode about 500 miles in 2009. But with serious illness in the family, long periods away and other distractions, I fell out of the habit I'd begun so enthusiastically. The bike hung forlornly in the garage.
On Mayday this year, with my 65th birthday looming, I dusted and oiled her and began again at the beginning. I've logged nearly 200 miles since. I've worked back up again to my 22 mile road circuit from Brighton, over Ditchling Beacon (the gentle side) and along Underhill Lane to Lewes, returning via Falmer.
The road down the steep side of Ditchling Beacon was recently resurfaced and is much improved, though a great deal of stony and muddy debris still washes off the rough chalky banks. So my descent is always cautious. And fortunately I was going really slowly as I negotiated the right turn at the bottom into Underhill Lane. The next thing I knew I was sprawled on my belly, sliding across some incredibly greasy tarmac and loosely entangled with the bike. I think my front wheel slid from under me. But it all happened too quickly to take it in.
When I got up, I was filthy. Plastered in oily black stuff on the front of my jacket and down both legs. My right knee and elbow were a little grazed - seems the black stuff lubricated my skin as efficiently as it did my front tyre.
The next thing I noticed was a bad pain in my left thumb. I think it must have somehow got wrenched backwards. While I recovered my wits on the little grassy island at that junction I'm pleased to say two cars stopped to check I was OK. And a mountain biker negotiating the same turn almost came off as I did.
So what was I to do? I'd travelled 6 of my intended 22 miles, was pretty shaken and had a useless thumb. Turning back rather than attempting the remaining 16 miles seemed the obvious thing. But that meant my first ever ascent of the steep side the Beacon (I only go down it!).
Halfway up I was so breathless I was finally forced to stop. As I stood there panting, I noticed that my bike did not seem to be rolling freely. Both brakes seemed to be jammed partially on though quite how or why I could not really establish. Winding in the adjusters seem to ease the problem. The rest of the climb seemed a bit less effort. But the fact remains I made much of my first ascent of the steep side of Ditchling Beacon with my brakes on.
It was while I was panting up there I noticed the blood on the mudguards though how it got there I cannot imagine. I didn't seem to have shed much.
Once the Beacon had been crested I coasted gently home. My injured hand meant I couldn't change up on the chain rings unless I reached across with my right hand. But we made it. I'll check the bike over tomorrow when I'm calmer.
Did I learn any lessons? Looking back at the road, there did not seem any obvious clues to is skidpan quality other than that it was wet. Check your bike properly after a crash, idiot. Should I abandon shorts to protect my knees?(My fleece didn't prevent my elbow graze but it kept the wound cleaner). Am I indeed too old for this lark?
Chapeau ! 
on this: 
) did a quick check of my bike, which I have always remembered:
??
)
. If that applies - GWS 
! ]
