Ouch it stings

waggle

I'm a recent convert to cycling and have been commuting four miles each way to work.

Had a spill today and proper annoyed as it was my fault.

Sat at a junction waiting to go ahead and an audi was approaching from the right hand side of me. It signalled left and as the junction was narrow I thought in my stupid haste I'll be fine to go so they have loads of room to pull in.

Set off across the road and she suddenly decided to she didn't want to go left anymore and instead wanted to beep at me.

I carried on across the road and turned around to shout my disagreement at her shouting at me and promptly twisted my handlebars into the pavement.

I came completely off my bike whacked my knee and scraped it all, scrapes on both elbows and even managed to bang my helmet.

That will be me never setting off again until I'm 100% sure I can go.

So annoyed that I didn't watch where I was going I think it must have been the adrenaline or shock.

I think I was more concerned about my bike than myself when I initially crashed haha.

davis

waggle wrote:

I came completely off my bike whacked my knee and scraped it all, scrapes on both elbows and even managed to bang my helmet.

:shock: Ouch!


In all honesty, it sounds a bit like the crash was caused not by the lack of room, but simply by your reaction to the Audi. Relax, chill, sometimes drivers are dicks, sometimes you'll be a dick. If you had just carried on, you'd quite likely have been fine!

Glad you're ok, and it's a nasty way to learn a valuable lesson, but it could've been much worse!

Agent57

waggle wrote:

Set off across the road and she suddenly decided to she didn't want to go left anymore and instead wanted to beep at me.

Beware that sometimes drivers signal early. If there was another junction to turn into just after the one you were at, she might have intended to turn into that road all along. Or maybe was intended to pull in and park up/drop someone off just after the junction. Sometimes you can tell from their speed and whether they're actually slowing down, but usually I won't pull out until I'm absolutely sure (unless I've bags of time to get out of the way).

kelsen

I blame waggle!



(somebody will be along to explain if you don't get it!)

Ben6899

Did you bang your helmet on the steerer? Soak it in yoghurt, but not the kind with bits in.

Seriously though, glad you're okay. Chalk this one down to experience.

waggle

Cheers guys and yeah I think I would have been fine if I had carried on. I think the red mist got to me which is funny as I'm a right scaredy cat haha.

Hasn't put me off cycling and I was even more concerned that my bike might be damaged.

I hadn't even realised I had banged my helmet until I got home and saw the scrapes.

So much for rolling off the bike like a ninja and landing on my feet I need more practise.

Koncordski

You'll be fine, road rash is nature's way of reminding you to chill out. My recent off was all down to me pushing my luck in the wet conditions. Teaches you a lesson for about two months then you reset the counter

Heal up and keep riding.

EKE_38BPM

Hi Waggle, glad you're basically OK.

I always teach my trainees that an indicator means nothing. Until that vehicle has actually begun turning, assume it is going straight. For all you know that indicator has been on since the driver left home 15 miles ago.

If you banged your helmet in a crash, it has done its job and its time for a new one. Specialized have some sort of deal where if you take your old helmet (in any condition) when you buy a new one, you get a percentage off a new Spesh one.

GWS

Wunnunda

EKE_38BPM wrote:

I always teach my trainees that an indicator means nothing. Until that vehicle has actually begun turning, assume it is going straight. For all you know that indicator has been on since the driver left home 15 miles ago.

Couldn't emphasise this more. Have been "T-boned" twice while in my car by people indicating left at roundabouts then going straight ahead. I now NEVER trust them. (BTW it amazes me (though perhaps it shouldn't :roll: ) that people behind can be so impatient when I don't take a punt and pull out...)

jedster

"I always teach my trainees that an indicator means nothing"

Good call but I'd go further never ASSUME drivers are going to do anything, wait until you KNOW what they are doing or make allowances for what the COULD do. Classic is when they are waiting to pull out into your road. DO NOT assume the fact that you are coming and have right of way will make them wait!

lockstock666

Indicators are one of my biggest peeves when it comes to car drivers, whether I'm driving or cycling.

Going around a roundabout without indication of your intentions is dangerous. Why so many people don't seem bother is unbelievable.

Then there are the type of people who will not indicate for a right turn to a third exit, but will start to indicate LEFT as soon as they pass the first exit! Why do they do this?

Glad you are ok btw OP!

davis

LockStock666 wrote:

Indicators are one of my biggest peeves when it comes to car drivers, whether I'm driving or cycling.

Going around a roundabout without indication of your intentions is dangerous. Why so many people don't seem bother is unbelievable.

Then there are the type of people who will not indicate for a right turn to a third exit, but will start to indicate LEFT as soon as they pass the first exit! Why do they do this?

Glad you are ok btw OP!

A piece of advice imparted by my mother years ago when I started driving:

my mum wrote:

Don't trust indicators on roundabouts because everyone is an idiot and gets it wrong: look at the other car's front wheels. The car will go where the wheels are pointing.