What happened???

[fossyant]

I think once you build up some muscle density and tone, your falls won't feel as bad. About a year after I restarted cycling, I took a fall as bad as one that bruised a bone a year earlier, both by slipping on ice at home, but the second time, after cycling, I did bounce. There may be something to this fitness thing after all.

Nah, there is a 'pro' way to fall off..

If you get into a crash situation, DO NOT TENSE UP. Go floppy like a rag doll. It works.... Stick your arm out, you will smash your wrist/arm/shoulder.

This 'baby' reaction can only be learnt by quite a few crashes... Do not try to brace the fall, you will snap something.

 

[fossyant]

PS Silly small speed fall off's can cause the worse injuries. A club mate fell off his bike at zero speed, fell off and smashed his hip. Months off the bike. Had he come off at speed, lots of lost skin, but not a busted hip.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Nah, there is a 'pro' way to fall off..

If you get into a crash situation, DO NOT TENSE UP. Go floppy like a rag doll. It works.... Stick your arm out, you will smash your wrist/arm/shoulder.

This 'baby' reaction can only be learnt by quite a few crashes... Do not try to brace the fall, you will snap something.

Quite true. I go limp anyway when I fall, had the luck of having more European belief taught to me at young age when cycling. Americans tend to put their arm out to break the fall, and wind up breaking a collarbone. Better to let the bike take the shock, and go limp. But I am guessing the OP was limp enough as it was, from his narrative.

 

[fossyant]

It's saved me many times. At the point of 'no return' you just let go and think 'this will sting' . Works in emergency situations when a car runs into you at 30 MPH..

 

[fossyant]

PS If anyone is worried about clipless pedals, they unclip very quickly in an accident, so no damage done - very safe. Tried and tested for you, by ME !

 

[slowmotion]

If running on adrelaline it might be hard not to tense up when in mid-air.

I can see that ethanol might help floppiness.

 

[mcshroom]

PS If anyone is worried about clipless pedals, they unclip very quickly in an accident, so no damage done - very safe. Tried and tested for you, by ME !

And me 4 weeks ago. The staying loose and rolling technique didn't work so well in my last crash though (see avatar).

 

[Gravity Aided]

PS If anyone is worried about clipless pedals, they unclip very quickly in an accident, so no damage done - very safe. Tried and tested for you, by ME !

Thank You, for your service. Still staying with flat pedals, myself

 

[slowmotion]

And me 4 weeks ago. The staying loose and rolling technique didn't work so well in my last crash though (see avatar).

Oh dear. I missed that accident. Please get will soon 'shroom.

 

[vickster]

Whatever you do, don't connect your shin with the bike frame (and it got worse)

 

[cosmicbike]

Falling over when you are an adult hurts more than it did when you were a child simply because you are taller now, and therefore have further to fall. You are also heavier, so gravity seems to pull you down faster.
I went to college once and done physics so I must be right

 

[Mark1978]

PS If anyone is worried about clipless pedals, they unclip very quickly in an accident, so no damage done - very safe. Tried and tested for you, by ME !

Also tested by myself last week when i pulled into a layby in the wet, hit gravel and the bike slid out from under me. Hit the deck and the bike carried on skidding off into a ditch while i laid there, a lovely pebbledash effect along my left leg and arm.

 

[young Ed]

nearly get the end of your finger chopped off

It's saved me many times. car runs into you at 30 MPH..

PS If anyone is worried about clipless pedals, they unclip very quickly in an accident, so no damage done - very safe. Tried and tested for you, by ME !

you sound rather safe!
here's a pic of what i reckon you should wear

Cheers Ed

 

[sparco05]

Haha some very good points here and sorry to see some of the nasty injuries you've all had, think I will have to stick to rule 5 going forward.

Cycle shopping list is getting longer by the minute though, I think the bug is getting worse and I've hardly ridden much!

I think I'd have been pretty limp due to the alcohol in my blood that night, but obviously not lol!!

 

[roadrash]

I don't bounce as well as I did, but still bounce (ish). Road rash is a good look ! PS You'll most likely get more 'maintenance' injuries than road injuries. Those chain wheels have a nasty habit of attacking you ! Oh and don't get a fixed wheel bike and nearly get the end of your finger chopped off wiping the chain down

Thanks for the compliment