What a Chump!

[Devonshiredave]

After two months waiting for my new bike, I finally got her on the road today for our first ride out. There's me, new bike, new bibs, new shoes (not put the clip in pedals on yet though), feeling very pleased for myself. I was intending to do a 12 miler just to get used to things.
Cresting a local hill, nipping up the gears to build up some speed and what do I do? Got a bit out of shape, dropped the front wheel off the hard stuff and wallop! I must admit, the fall must have looked pretty stylish as I was on my feet and back on the bike in almost one quick move!
Down side is that the rear mech took a slight graze, my new bibs holed the knee and my jacket now sports unsightly tar stripes!
I think I'm more upset about the bibs and rear mech than anything. All in all, it's been quite an expensive day but I gotta be thankful that there's no real harm done!

 

[Steve H]

Sorry to hear that Dave. Nothing wrong with wearing a few battle scars though.

 

[RWright]

Getting everything broken in quickly. But really, bummer about your new nicks and scratches, as long as the engine wasn't damaged the other can be dealt with easily enough.

 

[ColinJ]

Bad luck Dave, but at least no serious damage was done. Most of us have been there at one time or another!

I was doing a fast descent on my MTB once when I found myself going over a stretch of broken cobbles which covered in wet leaves. I thought to myself that I would brake to slow down and steer off the cobbles. My hands had already acted on the impulse before the following thought caught up - "No, don't steer and brake on wet leaves on top of broken cobbles!"

My front wheel locked up and slid out from under me. I went down fast and hard, ripped my brand new jacket, scratched my bike and took several small chunks out of my body! Still, at least there were no broken bones ... I had a cycling holiday coming up which I'd spent nearly £1,000 on and I would have been mightily peed off if I'd broken a collarbone or a leg and been unable to go on it!

 

[biggs682]

Devonshiredave sorry to hear about your tumble , at least you are ok .

 

[helston90]

You can't learn how not to fall off without falling off- otherwise you don't really know what you're missing!
Hope you and the bike are OK, btw nice avatar!

 

[Devonshiredave]

The daft thing is I've done no end of miles on my MTB and never had an "off". First run out on my road bike and off I come. I don't really know how I managed to get off the tarmac. Bad road camber, wet road and inexperience maybe? I spent most of yesterday feeling very angry with myself. I'm most gutted about the bibs. I can't really get out again until can find a way of either disguising the hole in the knee, getting them repaired which I doubt is either feasible or cost effective or buying a new pair. On a lighter note, the bike is awesome! My average speed was up by over 3 mph yesterday, not clipped in and still getting used to the way she handles.

 

[Boon 51]

Bad luck on your off... and the damge to the clothing and bike is a right bummer. Glad you are Ok ish..

 

[Steve H]

I had an off last year and got some small holes in my Gore Bike Wear bibs that I spent quite a bit on. Not worn them since as they are really winter bibs. I got them out last week as the weather has got colder. I wore once, but didn't feel right with the holes.

I've just started an email enquiry with a company that does sportswear repairs. Not sure if they will be able to sort it, but you may want to give them a try or search the web for something similar.

http://www.lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk/

 

[Devonshiredave]

Cheers Steve, that's worth a try.

 

[EltonFrog]

That's a bit of bad luck, Dave, but at least your all right. It happened to me the first time I went out on a mountain bike, about ten years ago, brand spanking new Cannondale Jekyll 2000. Tried to get up a tough hill, snapped the chain, broke the rear hanger tore a hole in my Race Face trouser, falling off and rolling down the hill backwards in a most indecorous manner. Meanwhile my mate was rolling on the floor laughing he head off. I was most vexed.

I live very near Brackley, often ride through or near there, may be I'll see on the road.

 

[lavoisier]

Easily done coming off the Tarmac. I came off it whilst going up a hill and ending up bogged down in thick mud, I nearly came off but managed to unclip in time. I was vexed that my bike would be sh!* up so I can't imagine how you must be feeling. Glad you're ok though.

Paul

 

[Easytigers]

Glad you're ok. Sorry to hear about the bibs and the mech though! Lived in Brackley for four or five years but haven't been back in a while...at least you have a bakery on the main street for a cake stop on the way home!!!
p.s. never stop at the village shop in Turweston if in need of supplies...the tins were pre-war and the old lady looked surprised to see a customer the last time I cycled through (but I guess it could be a Tesco Metro now!!!!).

 

[RWright]

I'm most gutted about the bibs. I can't really get out again until can find a way of either disguising the hole in the knee, getting them repaired which I doubt is either feasible or cost effective or buying a new pair.

Maybe a cheap pair of knee warmers?

 

[Ian H]

Paint your knee black.