Investing in some things that can help me so that I don't crash on my bike. In the past month of my cycling career (which if you break it down is only a very small percentage. . . like less than 2%) I have crashed TWICE. Twice in one month is unacceptable. The first time I crashed it was because of some guy on his bike in my lane with a dog tied to his seatpost who ran right into me and sent me straight off my bike. I did a pretty good job of laying the bike down on its side, but I also did a pretty good job of breaking a piece of bone off of my ankle. It was horrible.
Fast forward 2 weeks. . . I decide to have a little pep talk with myself and decide it is time to brave the canyon again and just get over my fear of crashing. So, after a convincing pep talk I hop on my bike ride South Fork and come back home on the road instead of the trail (avoiding the site of the last "accident" if you will). Not even 5 minutes from my house I turn off of a busy road to take a more residential street back to my house and someone backing out of a driveway doesn't see me so I slam on my brakes. . . panic. . . . can't get out of my pedals. . . . say some bad words. . . .reverse the pep talk and wonder why I got on the bike again. . . and ultimately I go down. This time I go over my bike hit my head, scrape my face (it looked beautiful) and separate my shoulder. Ridiculous and horribly painful. (still is actually) Who crashes twice in a month. I decided for a short time (like 4 days) that I was done riding my bike and then I missed it.
But I am thinking that I am going to have more than just a pep talk if I am really, seriously going to ride again at any speed over 20 mph. ever.
I already have some pretty good gear for when I ride my bike. I have :
1. A nice white helmet
2. Gloves
3. Cylcing Jersey's and Padded Shorts
4. A light that attaches to the front of my bike for when I ride at night
5. Reflective gear (that isn't cute but it keeps me alive even if I get hurt)
Obviously these things aren't enough for me to be noticed or stop me from crashing.
So, I am thinking that if I am going to be riding my bike again I am going to need to invest in some or all of the following items:
Fast forward 2 weeks. . . I decide to have a little pep talk with myself and decide it is time to brave the canyon again and just get over my fear of crashing. So, after a convincing pep talk I hop on my bike ride South Fork and come back home on the road instead of the trail (avoiding the site of the last "accident" if you will). Not even 5 minutes from my house I turn off of a busy road to take a more residential street back to my house and someone backing out of a driveway doesn't see me so I slam on my brakes. . . panic. . . . can't get out of my pedals. . . . say some bad words. . . .reverse the pep talk and wonder why I got on the bike again. . . and ultimately I go down. This time I go over my bike hit my head, scrape my face (it looked beautiful) and separate my shoulder. Ridiculous and horribly painful. (still is actually) Who crashes twice in a month. I decided for a short time (like 4 days) that I was done riding my bike and then I missed it.
But I am thinking that I am going to have more than just a pep talk if I am really, seriously going to ride again at any speed over 20 mph. ever.
I already have some pretty good gear for when I ride my bike. I have :
1. A nice white helmet
2. Gloves
3. Cylcing Jersey's and Padded Shorts
4. A light that attaches to the front of my bike for when I ride at night
5. Reflective gear (that isn't cute but it keeps me alive even if I get hurt)
Obviously these things aren't enough for me to be noticed or stop me from crashing.
So, I am thinking that if I am going to be riding my bike again I am going to need to invest in some or all of the following items:
1. Training Wheels (You know, to provide some stability)
2. A bell or blow horn (to warn people that I am coming)
3. Streamers for my handlebars (just for good measure. . . they kind of match the other items)
4. Full Body Armor (You can never be too protected. Who knew it came in pink!?).
2. A bell or blow horn (to warn people that I am coming)
3. Streamers for my handlebars (just for good measure. . . they kind of match the other items)
4. Full Body Armor (You can never be too protected. Who knew it came in pink!?).
I'll let you know how it goes. Hopefully my ankle never looks like this again
(Really, I've never had cankles before and I didn't really like it. Also it hurt. a lot.)
(Really, I've never had cankles before and I didn't really like it. Also it hurt. a lot.)
and my shoulder stays put together instead of separating/tearing like this. (I'll spare you more disgusting pictures) 
Riding a bike really can't be as dangerous as I am making it!
Also did I mention that it is expensive. I did spend more on getting my bike fixed than I did for Dr apt's but still. Expensive.
Riding a bike really can't be as dangerous as I am making it!
Also did I mention that it is expensive. I did spend more on getting my bike fixed than I did for Dr apt's but still. Expensive.
6 comments:
You are so funny. Love the training wheels I idea and the "I love my bike". ha ha.
Be careful out there!
I don't like hearing stuff like this. It makes me nervous to ride. Glad you're ok though.
My favorite is the pink body armor. Sorry about your ankle. OUCH! And the second crash. A separated shoulder sounds awful! Hope you recover soon and can get back up on the horse, er, I mean bike.
xo -E
Owwwwww!!! Oh my, you are brave. Can I convince you to join me for Zumba soon? Like, when we get back? Please?
I love envisioning you riding around with the training wheels, the streamers and ringing your bell!!! Go Amber, Go Amber!
Love the body armor, love the haircut even more, you look so fabulous! I'm still so sad that it didn't work out to get together while you were out here. I'm sure you were having a fabulous time and I can't wait to see pictures. Sorry to hear about the accidents though, I hope you heal up fast!
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