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There’s a great post at Bike Radar about how to survive a bike crash, since we will all have one eventually. Before the safety dogs go nuts, think about this: How many people do you know who have never ever ever been in a car accident? How many people do you know who have never ever ever fallen down walking or running? I’m thirty and have been car-free for four years. And I’ve been in exactly five car accidents, one o of which I caused and one of which (not the one I caused) totaled my car. Sure, I know people who have been in fewer accidents, but I know people who have been in more, also, even people younger than I am.
I don’t know if everyone is going to crash on their bike, though. There are people who ride way more than I do who haven’t crashed as adults. Last winter, I went down on some ice on January (just a bruise and scratch in the paint of my downtube and a lot of thankfulness that there were no cars and that only one person saw me) and infamously went down in April (from which my hands are still busted up). I know Mr. Zack had a (literally) scrape with the wall on the Jones Falls Trail switchback at Stieff, but he didn’t go down — just got rock-wall-rash on his arm. Certainly, there are veritable bike heroes in Baltimore like Barry, who have been in some crashes. But in a cases like this, I chalk it up to just plain high mileage. I don’t know anyone who rides their bike more than folks like Barry and Greater Brown Bear. In other cases, I’m sure, crashes get caused by people riding drunk, on dark streets sans lights, by not paying attention, easily-prevented equipment failure, etc.
Sometimes, as happened to me (with my little 8 mile commute) and as happens with high-mileage folks (certainly not including myself in that category), cars and infrastructure might eventually get you. But will it get all of us, as cars are getting more used to seeing us and when the infrastructure for cycling in Baltimore gets better every single day?
I wouldn’t want to tell someone whose interested in cycling but afraid to take the plunge, “Dude, you’ll crash one day. A pot hole, car door, ice, gravel, drunk guy — it’s gonna happen.” But I wouldn’t want to outright lie, either.
You can now go and vote for NBBB is The Baltimore Sun‘s MOBBIES (and thanks to whomever nominated us!), under the MISFITS category and BEST OVERALL category! You can vote everyday, in each category.
CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE/SIDEBAR IMAGE TO GO DIRECTLY TO THE VOTE!
And while you’re at it, you can vote for Johnny (Pragmatik) in the PERSONAL BLOG section!
DON’T FORGET! TONIGHT! THURSDAY! JULY 30TH! 8:00PM! HOSTEL!
Dan and I are meeting at the Watertower at about 7:30pm, in case anyone wants to ride down with us. If you do, leave a comment so we know to wait for you. The Watertower is where Roland Avenue and University Parkway meet, in Hoes Heights/Rolden/Hampden/Roland Park. You can’t miss it.
DON’T FORGET YOUR HELMET AND WORKING LIGHTS FOR THE FRONT AND REAR!
And also remember: this is NOT a sponsored ride. You ride at your own risk, and you will likely have to sign a waiver saying so. Be careful, and have fun!
Details here in case you need them or wanna read excited/exciting comments!
This Sunday, Dan, Johnny and Zack took a very short (like an hour and a half maybe) ride last-minute because Johnny had to return Zack’s rims to him — trued rims, replaced spoke and patched tire. I mean, folks who ride centuries might scoff at our trip to Druid Hill, down the full length of the Jones Falls Trail and then back up Charles Street to University Parkway. But a nice 12-20 mile ride is just our idea of fun.
All the better if, at the end, there’s a bad flat when we’re near someone’s apartment. Baltimore City tap water (with lemon!) and air conditioning are nice, followed by beers and a little bike work. Hell, how could you say “no” to that?
Anyone up for a short little ride after dinner/evening Thursday night? Nothing big — just meeting at (what’s left of) the Watertower and a 10-20 mile fun ride to end there, perhaps with a coffee stop….
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