W&W London Bridge Pointless Prize Log

[Boomer Cycles]

This was my first of 2 falls during BAFS 2017 during a rare freezing spell in Bristol UK. I was commuting home from work, after dark, on national bike rout 33, where I hit black ice while navigating a switch back over a creek, when the bike went out from underneath me, and I went down hard. I laid on the ground a bit, cussing, got up back on my bike, and finished the commute home. I had a bruised hip and ego, but no witnesses!

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[Boomer Cycles]

My second fall was not recorded for prosperity but was witnessed by my Neice. We were returning from the train station when we got caught in a rain shower that turned the cobble stone street and slate sidewalks into traps of death, and we both went down. We then walked our bikes home for the last mile of shame. Sigh.

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[Brett L.]

Guess it’s time to revive this thread. I fortunately have nothing to contribute, but I did hear tale of a couple falls on icy trails.

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[supernova]

I went completely down at 7pm tonight on a sheet of ice that had formed in the driveway of the Washington Marina Company. Landed on the broken elbow that took me out for Freezing Saddles 2016 and have a nice little bump on said elbow and a sore right side. I blame my ‘getting stuff done’ streak at work as I could have left at 2:45pm. I need to work on doing less work. 😎

[Kitty]

Yeowch! Sorry to hear that Supernova! For what its worth, you’ve now garenteed yourself a Pointless Prize at the end of this! Wheels & Wings is kind to the tumbled

[josh]

Bike came out from under me right after the bridge over 66 in Ballston headed towards the Custis. RD is out-of-whack, but no damage to me.

[QuikAF77]

Black ice got me twice last night. First was going up the pedestrian overpass in Springfield, wiped out hard. Had to walk/slide down the down ramp. Less than 10 minutes later I came around a curve on the Franconia Metro path and slid out, sliding for 30+ feet. Only my pride was wounded although I did lose an expensive Lezune tail light.

[Boomer Cycles]

I have two entries already for #BAFS2018 that tie my #BAFS2017 performance!

I went down on “black ice” last night around 6 PM heading West on the WOD at mile 6.0 near the shelter and again at mile 7.5 near the Popular Heights tennis courts. Both are notorious cold spots and are always the first to freeze and last to thaw in this neck of the woods.

I rode the gravel service road/path alongside the WOD in between falls, which had much better traction, but alas, shouldn’t have gone back onto the WOD after regaining my confidence. Luckily I distributed my falls on either side of my body (and bike), and only scuffed up a knee.

A few notes to self:

1. Stay off the black ice after the first fall. Either stick to the gravel or take to the streets where they have been treated for ice.
2. Bar Mitts are great for absorbing impact! They also ensure you keep your hands on the bars for better control since you can’t extract your hand fast enough to break your fall. It also means that you don’t break collar bones, wrists or fingers by keeping your hands on the bars while going down!
3. College football “hit and roll on your shoulder” reflex still intact!
4. Ditto for slapping out reflex on Judo falls for when you get hip tossed by somebody else (which was emulated on my 2nd fall)
5. Install Medical Information Carrier System labels in bike helmet https://blackarmorhelmets.com/products/medical-information-carrier-system-mics
6. Switch out wrist band on ROAD ID braclet https://www.roadid.com/pages/coupons

I now have a deeper appreciate for the Little City known as “Falls Church!”

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[DrP]

For some reason I didn’t think about non-ground surfaces being too cold and freezing since it had been over 32 most of yesterday afternoon. I found out the hard way last night on the 4MRT in between the two underpasses south (or east) of Shirlington that they do indeed freeze before other surfaces. Beautiful, quick wipe out. No apparent damage to bike nor myself, although I started to feel a little stiff later in the evening and this morning, but not bad.

I kept this in mind when I later had to cross I-66 on the Ballston connector between Fairfax Dr and the Custis. I managed to not go down, although that was likely because it was a short, flat stretch and I decided to not try turning with the trail. I nearly forgot again on my front steps, but also didn’t go down.

[CPTJohnC]

Okay – I have my first entry for this year and it’s a dumb one. Taking the second curve on the MBT heading towards the 1st. st NE PBL from Brookland. I’d become over confident because all the other slick looking spots had been fine. Shade. Shade will get you every time. I know this. I know because shade gets me every year. Low speed tumble with no injury to me or to my Tern folding bike. My speaker popped out of its bracket, but kept rocking the tunes (Daft Punk at that point, I believe).

[bentbike33]

My fall came just as I stopped to get off my bike at my house. I had left work a bit early, and the studded tires kept me upright through the beginning of the freezing rain. Even the last turn on the ice was executed without incident as the studs held like magic. But my foot could find no purchase after stopping and down I went. Neighbor came over to see if I was OK. No injury, but had to straighten out the handlebar.

[Judd]

Saw lots of fall reports on Strava. After bruising the ribs really bad last year on black ice I decided to telework today instead of risking it. Lots of slick spots on the sidewalks when I went out for a moment at 10 this morning. Be safe out there everyone.

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[cvcalhoun]

@Judd 171207 wrote:

Saw lots of fall reports on Strava. After bruising the ribs really bad last year on black ice I decided to telework today instead of risking it. Lots of slick spots on the sidewalks when I went out for a moment at 10 this morning. Be safe out there everyone.

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I was very nervous seeing all the Strava fall reports before I left last night. But the tire chains did their job.

[drevil]

@bentbike33 171205 wrote:

My fall came just as I stopped to get off my bike at my house. I had left work a bit early, and the studded tires kept me upright through the beginning of the freezing rain. Even the last turn on the ice was executed without incident as the studs held like magic. But my foot could find no purchase after stopping and down I went. Neighbor came over to see if I was OK. No injury, but had to straighten out the handlebar.

Doh! I’ve learned that lesson as well. Glad you’re OK.

Nowadays, if I know I’m going to be riding on ice, I usually wear my shoes to which I’ve added Kold Kutter 3/8″ studs. A pack is cheap insurance that you can use to easily stud tires and shoes. The grip on ice is so good it’s like walking on concrete with Crocs 😮

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[bentbike33]

@drevil 171222 wrote:

Doh! I’ve learned that lesson as well. Glad you’re OK.

Nowadays, if I know I’m going to be riding on ice, I usually wear my shoes to which I’ve added Kold Kutter 3/8″ studs. A pack is cheap insurance that you can use to easily stud tires and shoes. The grip on ice is so good it’s like walking on concrete with Crocs 😮

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Interesting idea. I’ll have to find a way to adapt my shoe covers.

[Author]

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