Yeah I bit it...

yep this is the thread where we each get our red baron stamp of spills from winter riding. I'm in bit it yesterday(Does anyone think that Daley is saving money on salt and plowing to become Senator?)

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on December 10, 2008 at 5:28pm
I just built up my new bike, and I totally wiped out on Lemoyne and Rockwell on the way home. My bike slipped out from under me, I fell on my hip, and slid about 15-20 ft on solid ice. I stopped because I hit my bike, which hit the curb. Yay physics! Didn't even get offered a beer by the roommies when I got home. But, I did find out that my platform/spd pedals have a DETACHABLE platform as it lie in the gutter waiting for me to stand up. Man, I've wiped out only twice since riding, but when I do, I really do it. I always like to give 110%.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 10, 2008 at 5:54pm
Can we get some good falling tips from experienced winter bikers? what should I do if I start to fall? I haven't yet, but am pretty sure its gonna happen sooner rather than later.
Permalink Reply by Sarah on December 10, 2008 at 6:06pm
If you know that you are definitely falling, relax your body and let your back, hips, shoulders all go almost limp and just go with the fall. Stay loose and you'll likely land on the bigger parts that can usually handle the impact a little better. You'll hurt more if you tense up. Don't try and catch yourself with your hands or arms. And always, check to make sure your helmet is adjusted correctly before you ride.

Julie Hochstadter said:
Can we get some good falling tips from experienced winter bikers? what should I do if I start to fall? I haven't yet, but am pretty sure its gonna happen sooner rather than later.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 10, 2008 at 6:13pm
And adjusted before you fall.

Sarah said:
And always, check to make sure your helmet is adjusted correctly before you ride.
Julie Hochstadter said:
Can we get some good falling tips from experienced winter bikers? what should I do if I start to fall? I haven't yet, but am pretty sure its gonna happen sooner rather than later.
Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on December 10, 2008 at 7:27pm
I bit it on huron/wood, wood/erie. . same day.

my current strategy is to stick to main streets, what with all this hubbub about the lack of funding for plowing and the low priority of side streets.
Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 11, 2008 at 2:49am
yes i would love a falling technique workshop formal or informal.

travesty said:
\ Is there interest in a workshop on how to fall? its a very complex subject but at least I could share what I have got so far and maybe get some actual race coaches to add input. Race coaches are the only ones I specifically know who teach falling. Know others?
Permalink Reply by RodimusPrime on December 11, 2008 at 7:45am
I like to curl up fetal.

I was playing soccer once and did a jump kick and fell back on my hand, shattering my elbow, from now on i usually tuck in.Not tense though.
Permalink Reply by Tamara on December 11, 2008 at 8:20am
The deal with putting out an arm --which is an instinctual way to stop your fall -- is that its extremely easy to break your collarbone, one of the most common cyclist injuries. I try to 'ride my bike down' at least with my upper body -- I try to get a foot on the ground if I have time. If I'm going fast and someone goes down in front of me, I might try to brake and bleed a little speed off as I attempt to get around the crash. Or fall on top of them -- people are softer than pavement.
Permalink Reply by GabeW (not the other Gabe) on December 11, 2008 at 8:32am
Take Judo lessons. You learn to fall before you learn to throw people around. And you get to do it on mats instead of asphalt.
Permalink Reply by John on December 15, 2008 at 12:11pm
Well, this year it took me until today - but I wiped out spectacularly, turning into the alley from the street with a basket of groceries. Right hip/elbow/shoulder and head (helmet) all struck pavement. I feel fine and expect tomorrow to either be more of the same, or very sore.

I laughed as I lay on the ground, because it really was an outstanding fall. Sorry there weren't more people around to see it.
Permalink Reply by Ammo on December 15, 2008 at 12:14pm
It's been over a week for me. Almost did today in an alley over a nice patch of ice. I caught myself before I fell. Definitely nice to have the heart in your throat feeling to keep you on your toes. hahah.
Permalink Reply by Ali on December 15, 2008 at 2:55pm
I also support what Sarah says...My experience comes from somewhat different field(Motorcycle Racing) but it basically agrees completely, and having used the this method I know it works...Your first priority should be keeping the bike on its 2 wheels, if you know for a fact that it is not going to happen anymore then relax your body, take the fall with a bigger part of your body, usually hips, side or back works, although be careful if you are wiping out on your back, most cycling gear lack the armor on the back of motorcycle jackets. Do your absolute best not to try to break your fall with your hands but if you have no other choice make your hand into a fist. Reasoning behind that is it is much better to have a broken finger/fingers than a shattered wrist. If you can almost always try to separate yourself from your bike, ideally kicking it away to a different direction. Do not under any circumstances try to put your foot out to try to catch yourself, chances are the surface is quite slippery and once you put weight on your leg it will go wondering to a direction it was not meant to go.

So gist of it is to stay relaxed through the whole event, take the fall with bigger parts of your body, and not to tense up under any circumstance. Make sure that you have no serious injuries once you are up, because the adrenalin that is going to be in your system will block most pain as well as the shock.

-Ali

Sarah said:
If you know that you are definitely falling, relax your body and let your back, hips, shoulders all go almost limp and just go with the fall. Stay loose and you'll likely land on the bigger parts that can usually handle the impact a little better. You'll hurt more if you tense up. Don't try and catch yourself with your hands or arms. And always, check to make sure your helmet is adjusted correctly before you ride.

Julie Hochstadter said:
Can we get some good falling tips from experienced winter bikers? what should I do if I start to fall? I haven't yet, but am pretty sure its gonna happen sooner rather than later.

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