pat0115

Last Tuesday I had my first hard fall from my bike because of a front tire blowout, and fell hard on my left shoulder, elbow hip, knee and shin. No broken bones but a lot of blood and road rash. I was pretty nervous about my first ride after the blowout since I was going pretty fast when I fell. So I told myself that I would take it easy today, ride just 10-15 miles instead of my normal 30-35 miles. I decided to ride in a more scenic area, down by the beach. I left my headphones off so I could hear the sounds of the peaceful morning, since I started riding at 6:30am. Let me tell you, it had to be the most satisfying ride I have had in quite some time. In the past I would try to ride as fast as I could to get the 30-35 miles in in about 2 hours. I wouldn't even stop for a few minutes to go onto the boardwalk to see the water, because that would slow me down. Today, I rode slow (averaged between 11 and 12 miles per hour), said hi to hello riders and joggers/walkers,, headed up onto the boardwalk a few times, rode down a fishing pier I hadn't rode on since I first started riding, and even ventured onto some paths and roads I hadn't been on before just because. Before I knew it, I wasn't thinking about another blowout, another fall off the bike, I was just enjoying the ride, which turned out to be about 21 miles. Had so much fun, I think I'll do it again the exact same way tomorrow. Thanks for listening!

jon c. 

Great ride story. I know the feeling, if not exactly from the same perspective. I had a great, quiet, slowish and very satisfying ride on Sunday. After having gone out for an intended short and easy ride Saturday which instead found me hooking onto a paceline that was way too fast for me. Kicked my ass in short order.

OldTryGuy

Glad you remounted and on road more than expected... One crank rotation after another and if you decide to burn up the roads again, have at it. Just make sure it remains FUN.

Starting at 6:30AM is great, but for myself midnight or shortly after is even better. Less traffic, longer darkness, getting the 100 miles in before sun rise-or not, slower pace-or not, by myself-or not.

dougmon 

That is absolutely great. It sounds like you had a great attitude towards your ride and it was more fun as a result. True? False?

baron von trail 

Most important part of a bike is a good front tire. I ride puncture proof tires and make sure they are in top condition. A blow out at 20-plus mph is not a good experience.

rumrunn6

old guys know stuff ;-)

pat0115

True Dougman

1989Pre 

"You cry.., you learn, you lose.., you learn."

-Alanis Morrissette-

canklecat

Dang. That was 21 years ago. Now I really feel old. And she still looks like she did then.

RonH

Glad you had a great ride.

Riding with headphones??? Scary!!!! I like to hear the sounds of nature and any traffic (including other cyclists) behind or around me.

sevenmag

Good work!! The only way to get over a good crash is to get back on the bike.