Proper Way to fall?

[MajorMantra]

The one time I had a proper crash I didn't even realise what had happened properly until I was standing by the road bleeding. It was diesel or something on a roundabout and I went down hard on my chin and tore it open.

Interestingly my friend (a much more experience cyclist) crashed behind me and got away with minor cuts and bruises but I don't know if that was chance or skill, or both.

Matthew

 

[jimboalee]

In the words of the great Graham Noyce:-

"Just fly through the air like a rag-doll, and you'll be alright".

 

[jimboalee]

Or even Tony 'Mad Dog' Alva:-

"Muscles are stronger than bone, so don't tense-up dude".

 

[jimboalee]

I think as long as I don't do this I should avoid the worst injuries

It that a back-rack that guy's got on his down-hiller?

And black socks. I have no sympathy

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

I remember reading the following advice in a motorcycling magazine for dealing with a SMIDSY; they did all the usual "keep a good eye out, anticipate, slow down if you're approaching a junction with a car there, plan escape routes, try to go in front of / behind of the car if possible, be ready to stop if need be" type stuff, but then explored what to do if impact is inevitable .. you can either:

- go for the lay down on the back brake option as described in an earlier post, which in this scenario does carry the risk of ending up under the car, or

- stand up on the footrests and just as you hit the car, jump. This way, you should clear the headstock of the bike (thus avoiding a broken pelvis), clear the car and just end up in the road on the far side of the car which should hurt less!!

I doubt anyone that's not a professionally trained stunt rider would ever have the presence of mind to do that.

 

[jimboalee]

I remember reading the following advice in a motorcycling magazine for dealing with a SMIDSY; they did all the usual "keep a good eye out, anticipate, slow down if you're approaching a junction with a car there, plan escape routes, try to go in front of / behind of the car if possible, be ready to stop if need be" type stuff, but then explored what to do if impact is inevitable .. you can either:

- go for the lay down on the back brake option as described in an earlier post, which in this scenario does carry the risk of ending up under the car, or

- stand up on the footrests and just as you hit the car, jump. This way, you should clear the headstock of the bike (thus avoiding a broken pelvis), clear the car and just end up in the road on the far side of the car which should hurt less!!

I doubt anyone that's not a professionally trained stunt rider would ever have the presence of mind to do that.

Once you're stood up, you have either got to sit down again or weakly jump off your toes. You won't get over the fairing.

Lay it down. On the gear changer side - they are cheaper than a brake pedal replacement.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Once you're stood up, you have either got to sit down again or weakly jump off your toes. You won't get over the fairing.

Lay it down. On the gear changer side - they are cheaper than a brake pedal replacement.

I think their idea was that at the moment of impact you'd get a nice flick out of the bike .. I don't recall it being April 1st when they published the article but do remember being rather sceptical about it at the time.

I never had need to try either technique, thankfully .. either due to correct application of the whole "try to think ahead" approach or sheer good fortune. Or a bit of both.

I also remember reading an account by someone competing in the TT on the Isle of Man who was heading down one of the long straight downhill sections with a sharp corner at the bottom .. sorry, I'm not good with the TT corner names. Anyway, he would have been doing 150-ish mph, sat up and hit the brakes to find he had no front brake. He scrubbed off what speed he could using the back brake and then laid it down. Not something I'd ever like to have to do.

 

[Hont]

Practice helps. My last off I did the least damage because I kind of knew I was coming off and accepted it. I did put my hands out but with soft elbows so managed to cushion the fall.

Small bit of road rash but the lycra remained unscathed.

 

[Black Sheep]

I don't know if this is a cycling question, but just say something goes wrong while you are cycling fast, and you know you aren't going to stay on the bike, is there a correct way to fall off the bike, or do you just try to stay on and hope for the best?

lay and slide motorbike style

gravity usually helps