A good bike ride gone bad

I had a couple of hours free Sunday afternoon, so I planned a bike ride. It should have been uneventful, a 20-30 mile ride in decent late summer sunshine, hopefully before the threat of rain.

Should have been uneventful is the key phrase.

A few years ago, I upgraded to a clip-in pedal for my road bike. For those who don’t ride in this manner, it means the rider and the bike mechanically unified. It also means the foot is in a better position for long rides resulting in less fatigue and better power when the bike rider needs it. Riders with more and different experience can elaborate on the good and bad of clips. I like them most of the time... most of the time, which leads to my Sunday afternoon jaunt.

The goal was fit a ride in before the end of our county fair and contribution to the local salvage yards also known as the demolition derby. My ride was caught short when I got in an argument with the road itself.

I have a good friend who has extensively more riding experience than I. Maybe I will catch up by the time I reach the age he is now. When talking about clip pedals, he is quick to say “it is not about if you will fall, but when and how bad.” I know that sounds discouraging for people who are considering bicycling, at which point I say look for a bike you are comfortable with, not just one that looks good and top end.

Anyway, so as it turns out Sunday was my day to even the odds. After miles on miles of litter more than sunburns and occasional flat tires, I have a spill to make me feel more than my age. Not all county or state roads are conducive to safe driving, and consequently less so for cycling. This particular area is so rough it has the attention of the county commission, and my front tire. This is also what made me a little concerned about the concept of a bicycle tax, just as I would if a similar idea for automobiles: You’re taxing me, so am I going to see a benefit?

I’m usually aware of the road surface, preferring to travel slower than a thirst for speed stopped abruptly. However, Sunday I was distracted enough I didn’t see the pothole until it was too late. To complicate things, my pedals were not yet adjusted to be loose enough for quick escape. Of course when the distance of possible escape is from the front wheel to the seat, and the seat to the ground, there isn’t much time for escape.

I look to see the wheel turning the wrong way, and stop just as suddenly. All I could think is “this is going to hurt,” and “I’m glad there isn’t any traffic behind me.”

After air returned to my moment in time, felt like minutes although it was likely a few seconds, I stand up and start for my phone which was ejected into the parallel lane. I’m still not sure when I became so addicted to technology the device is more important than my safety or my bike. I stop, pick up my bike, check for traffic, then get my phone and head home. My knee looks then like I took to kneeling on a belt sander, and my right hand like I used it as an emergency brake; neither are recommended. In addition, there is gentle movements since landing on my left side and feeling like I lost a few rounds in an MMA contest.

The story is the bike ride doesn’t hurt. The consequences of a sudden stop can, and the slow movement in recovery are a strong reminder I’m not 25 anymore.

I will be back on the wheels. It may take a little while, and I might start with a lower, safer bike. That was the first question by family and friends: “Which bike were you on? If it was the recumbent, you wouldn’t have fallen so hard.”

Very true, but sometimes I like the road. Then again, sometimes the road doesn’t share the affection.