What's the most stupid thing you've done while riding?
Discussion
Help me feel a little better here...
I was riding home tonight, set off from a junction with only one foot clipped in and got up to I'd guess about 10 miles an hour when I suddenly had a brainwave - Now that I have SPDs, can I ride using just one foot?
Turns out that I can, but not for long, because while I wasn't concentrating on the foot I had taken off the pedal I accidentally managed to stick it through the spokes of the front wheel (How? I'm not entirely sure!). As my foot hit the forks, the wheel stopped dead and both the bike and I proceeded to perform a graceful forward roll (much to the amusement of the various people nearby). As I went over the top I remember thinking "well, this is different" then hitting the tarmac head first with the bike on top of me.
I now have a buckled front wheel, two snapped spokes and a rather impressive bruise on my shoulder. Tomorrow I will find out if the wheel is repairable or if it is time for an upgrade!
Please tell me I'm not the only one who has broken things through sheer stupidity, and hopefully give us all a laugh at similar tales of self inflicted misfortune.
I was riding home tonight, set off from a junction with only one foot clipped in and got up to I'd guess about 10 miles an hour when I suddenly had a brainwave - Now that I have SPDs, can I ride using just one foot?
Turns out that I can, but not for long, because while I wasn't concentrating on the foot I had taken off the pedal I accidentally managed to stick it through the spokes of the front wheel (How? I'm not entirely sure!). As my foot hit the forks, the wheel stopped dead and both the bike and I proceeded to perform a graceful forward roll (much to the amusement of the various people nearby). As I went over the top I remember thinking "well, this is different" then hitting the tarmac head first with the bike on top of me.
I now have a buckled front wheel, two snapped spokes and a rather impressive bruise on my shoulder. Tomorrow I will find out if the wheel is repairable or if it is time for an upgrade!
Please tell me I'm not the only one who has broken things through sheer stupidity, and hopefully give us all a laugh at similar tales of self inflicted misfortune.
Done this a long time ago. While riding home from school it was always a game between me and my mates to see what you could do with your regular bike. Apparently it isn't possible to ride with your feet of the pedals and your arms crossed over the bar (left hand on right handle bar and vice versa). A knackered knee, crooked bar and snapped spokes later, it was a long walk home 
However, that was just one of many 'accidents' in the 6 years that I cycled to school everyday. In that period I've went through 8 bikes (first one was new, second was slightly, rest were bangers)
However, that was just one of many 'accidents' in the 6 years that I cycled to school everyday. In that period I've went through 8 bikes (first one was new, second was slightly, rest were bangers)
3 weeks ago a mate and i had recently started seeing if we could still bunny hop like we could in our youth. It was all going well clearing (if a little messily) 18" logs.
He had an amusing but very painfull encounter with his bar end meeting his ribs after getting it wrong and was banned from riding for a few days. It was eerily similar to what i was about to do.
The next day filled with new found optimism from hopping rotten fallen trees i spotted a large bolder when i was on route to my LBS (to get a part for my single speed so i was on my mtb with no riding gear). It was about the size of a rover v8 engine block and certainly no higher than the tree.
First run at the rock, cleared it, rather messy. Thought to myself that i can better that. Went back and had another run. Friend standing watching said something along the lines of "Dont crash". Back wheel clipped rock, threw my weight forward and i superman'd over the bars and landed on my shoulder, head and hands. Got up immediately feeling sheepish for messing up and realised that i was a tad dizzy. I went and sat on a low wall, a few seconds later i revaluated the situation and decided that the wall was a bit to much for my state and sat on the grass.
What happened next was my mate remaining calm while pouring water into my gravel-imbedded cuts and talking to me to gauge my state. It was really hard because i was concentrating on trying to stop the world going black and white, and then tunnel vision until it went black. I didnt tell her this was happening because i really didnt want an ambulance (stupid i know).
So, im not sure how much longer it was but i suddenly sprung into life, looked at her and grinned like a spactard as if nothing was wrong before realising she had turned white and was seconds from dialling a ambulance. My legs and arms had a mind of there own for 5 mins (spontaneous movements) or so but at least i could see and felt a lot better.
In true british stupidty we rode home and i tested my brain by wheeling. Everything was tickerdy boo and i could wheelie straight and narrow for a few meters. So went for a beer and a icecream before wandering into a Chemist who didnt say a word when she saw me but just went and collected everything needed for cleaning gravel out of wounds
My hand still hurts now sometimes, This weekend is first ride out on mtb since due to holidays and roadie trip to Venice so i am going to get back on the horse and clear the damn thing!
so, im summary the stupidest thing i did was NOT wearing my helmet because i was "only" going to a bike shop
He had an amusing but very painfull encounter with his bar end meeting his ribs after getting it wrong and was banned from riding for a few days. It was eerily similar to what i was about to do.
The next day filled with new found optimism from hopping rotten fallen trees i spotted a large bolder when i was on route to my LBS (to get a part for my single speed so i was on my mtb with no riding gear). It was about the size of a rover v8 engine block and certainly no higher than the tree.
First run at the rock, cleared it, rather messy. Thought to myself that i can better that. Went back and had another run. Friend standing watching said something along the lines of "Dont crash". Back wheel clipped rock, threw my weight forward and i superman'd over the bars and landed on my shoulder, head and hands. Got up immediately feeling sheepish for messing up and realised that i was a tad dizzy. I went and sat on a low wall, a few seconds later i revaluated the situation and decided that the wall was a bit to much for my state and sat on the grass.
What happened next was my mate remaining calm while pouring water into my gravel-imbedded cuts and talking to me to gauge my state. It was really hard because i was concentrating on trying to stop the world going black and white, and then tunnel vision until it went black. I didnt tell her this was happening because i really didnt want an ambulance (stupid i know).
So, im not sure how much longer it was but i suddenly sprung into life, looked at her and grinned like a spactard as if nothing was wrong before realising she had turned white and was seconds from dialling a ambulance. My legs and arms had a mind of there own for 5 mins (spontaneous movements) or so but at least i could see and felt a lot better.
In true british stupidty we rode home and i tested my brain by wheeling. Everything was tickerdy boo and i could wheelie straight and narrow for a few meters. So went for a beer and a icecream before wandering into a Chemist who didnt say a word when she saw me but just went and collected everything needed for cleaning gravel out of wounds
My hand still hurts now sometimes, This weekend is first ride out on mtb since due to holidays and roadie trip to Venice so i am going to get back on the horse and clear the damn thing!
so, im summary the stupidest thing i did was NOT wearing my helmet because i was "only" going to a bike shop
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=15321360...
First few mins...
Now it was an error lending the camera to a mate who makes falling off into a new hobby. It was an error of his recording the bail! The leg pulling goes on to this day the guy saying "that is a glue job" now has the nick name "Sticky"! Can also be seen later on going over the bars and videoing himself!
The "elbow guy" has had major surgery on his arm twice since this was shot!
First few mins...
Now it was an error lending the camera to a mate who makes falling off into a new hobby. It was an error of his recording the bail! The leg pulling goes on to this day the guy saying "that is a glue job" now has the nick name "Sticky"! Can also be seen later on going over the bars and videoing himself!
The "elbow guy" has had major surgery on his arm twice since this was shot!
Mr Will
I have a Shimano RS20 Front Wheel, only lightly used, sat at home doing nothing.
If you're interested in buying it off me for a realistic price, give me a shout. You'd be doing me a favour, and I'd be doing you one!
---
Stupid thing:
Whilst doing my paper round as a kid, I was cycling no-hands along a country lane. "I need to change gear, I wonder if I can do it with the opposite hand" I thought.
Turns out I can't. I had a b
k / cross bar interface. This is the only time I have ever fainted. An ultrasound of the affected area showed no permanent damage. I had nuts the size of a grapefruit for a week though.
I have a Shimano RS20 Front Wheel, only lightly used, sat at home doing nothing.
If you're interested in buying it off me for a realistic price, give me a shout. You'd be doing me a favour, and I'd be doing you one!
---
Stupid thing:
Whilst doing my paper round as a kid, I was cycling no-hands along a country lane. "I need to change gear, I wonder if I can do it with the opposite hand" I thought.
Turns out I can't. I had a b
k / cross bar interface. This is the only time I have ever fainted. An ultrasound of the affected area showed no permanent damage. I had nuts the size of a grapefruit for a week though.I once improvised when my front derauieur was broken.
To change gear I had to life the chain up by hand and put it on the required chain ring.
This went fine the first few times but on one occasion I forgot to stop pedalling.
Blood everywhere, mashed fingers, chainring teeth had even gone through two finger nails, possibly one of the most painful things I had ever done.
The injury caused my hand to lock up meaning I couldn't brake, which led to another stupid incident where more bleeding occurred.
To change gear I had to life the chain up by hand and put it on the required chain ring.
This went fine the first few times but on one occasion I forgot to stop pedalling.
Blood everywhere, mashed fingers, chainring teeth had even gone through two finger nails, possibly one of the most painful things I had ever done.
The injury caused my hand to lock up meaning I couldn't brake, which led to another stupid incident where more bleeding occurred.
I used to love mixing it up with the traffic on Euston Road on my daily sprint between Euston and Paddington stations...one evening while whipping in and out of the almost stationary traffic I managed to catch my left pedal under someone's front wheel arch - he had clearly moved into the gap I was going for but I was looking ahead - I went straight over the bars, somersaulted in the air and landed on my shoulders in the road...unhurt I decided it was funny so burst out laughing. Sierra man was very worried that I might be hurt, then surprised when I jumped up, kicked my bars straight (or kicked my wheel to straighten them) and sped off again...ah the resilience of youth!
I had an odd one with a new Camelbak... was tanking down a trail, bit of a jump so I launched myself upwards, but unfortunately the waist straps on the Camelbak (that weren't round my waist) got wrapped round my saddle so I only got about an inch up. Which ruined my required flightplan so I hit a tree, and the saddle that previously was an inch from my cods practically emasculated me.
Loving these stories but one thing seems apparent, everyone else's seems to date from when the were a child/teen. Am I the only one who's never grown up? 
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It was on the CAAD, but (very luckily) the only damage apart from the wheel was one of the shifters was rotated and a very small scuff on the saddle.louiebaby said:
Mr Will
I have a Shimano RS20 Front Wheel, only lightly used, sat at home doing nothing.
If you're interested in buying it off me for a realistic price, give me a shout. You'd be doing me a favour, and I'd be doing you one!
That's a very kind offer, I dropped my wheel off at the LBS this morning and they are hopeful that it will only need the spokes replacing but if it is irreparable then I think I'll take you up on that. I have a Shimano RS20 Front Wheel, only lightly used, sat at home doing nothing.
If you're interested in buying it off me for a realistic price, give me a shout. You'd be doing me a favour, and I'd be doing you one!
A few years back I was cycling to the beach. The beach (Ayrmer Cove for any South Hams dwellers) has a nice piece of singletrack leading to the beach. I think there may be a stile in the way now but you used to be able to ride right down.
For some reason I thought it would be great to jump off the bank at the top of the beach onto the sand. At full pelt I jumped off the bank and onto the beach at which point both wheels immediately got stuck in the sand and I went flying a considerable distance down the beach. Unsurprisingly a lot of people pointed and laughed at my utter stupidity, myself included.
For some reason I thought it would be great to jump off the bank at the top of the beach onto the sand. At full pelt I jumped off the bank and onto the beach at which point both wheels immediately got stuck in the sand and I went flying a considerable distance down the beach. Unsurprisingly a lot of people pointed and laughed at my utter stupidity, myself included.
Mr Will said:
Some funny stuff.
It seemed a good idea at the time but looking back, maybe not. The stupidest thing I've done is to go on a bike pub crawl one afternoon that ended up with me drinking 8 pints of Stella including 4 in the final pub then riding the last 11 miles home no handed. How I made it without falling off I'll never know.
Stupidest thing involving a bit of arse to tarmac contact would be to think that a mountain bike on slicks would be fine in the snow. It isn't.
This:
wasn't my finest hour on a bike.
Stupidest though was probably showing off and doing the Cancellara superman - feet unclipped, chest on saddle hands on bars - all went fine, untill I tried to get back on the saddle properly,had a pair of baggies on that got caught behind the saddle and resulted in me coming to an ungraceful stop with my balls on the rear wheel.
wasn't my finest hour on a bike.
Stupidest though was probably showing off and doing the Cancellara superman - feet unclipped, chest on saddle hands on bars - all went fine, untill I tried to get back on the saddle properly,had a pair of baggies on that got caught behind the saddle and resulted in me coming to an ungraceful stop with my balls on the rear wheel.
oh god, the memories....
I used to cycle to secondary school with a friend and at 3.30, the roads and paths were flooded with upwards of 1000 school children making their way home, add to this a few buses, some cars, no one payinga blind bit of notice to the traffic, a rush to get to the front of the ice cream van queue....
....muggins here turned left out of the school gates and onto the main road, probably got distracted by one of his many schoolyard crushes walking on hte other side of the road and prompty cycled straight into the back of his geography teachers staitonary car, face first into the rear window. Cue alarmed teacher jumping out of car hoping to find the student with no injuries whilst student sprawled on the road was in turn hoping roadwould open up and swallow him up to hide further shame.
Whole thing was witnessed by approximately 250 people, all of whom found it to be quite possibly the funniest thing teh yhad every seen in their lives....
I used to cycle to secondary school with a friend and at 3.30, the roads and paths were flooded with upwards of 1000 school children making their way home, add to this a few buses, some cars, no one payinga blind bit of notice to the traffic, a rush to get to the front of the ice cream van queue....
....muggins here turned left out of the school gates and onto the main road, probably got distracted by one of his many schoolyard crushes walking on hte other side of the road and prompty cycled straight into the back of his geography teachers staitonary car, face first into the rear window. Cue alarmed teacher jumping out of car hoping to find the student with no injuries whilst student sprawled on the road was in turn hoping roadwould open up and swallow him up to hide further shame.
Whole thing was witnessed by approximately 250 people, all of whom found it to be quite possibly the funniest thing teh yhad every seen in their lives....
This was Tuesday evening. Just doing a small evening ride that takes us over some small cliffs (3m high). It had got to the lights on stage and I had forgot mine. The guy behind me was kindly using his head light to light my way until it suddenly went dark. All I saw was a guy clawing his way up a cliff looking awfully surprised!
Tried to jump up a quarry face on a prototype full suspension BMX (made by DMR back when they were based in the back room of R&D Bikes in Small Dole). The suspension compression took a load of speed out of the bike, and I landed with the front wheel over the lip, but the back wheel hanging behind. I stood there for maybe half a second, desperately trying to get enough forward momentum to get over the top, but it wasn't happening. I managed to throw the bike out from beneath me, and rotate 180 so I hit the floor in a press up position. Fortunately, other than a bang to the head, some flint embedded in my hand, and lots of mud in my mouth, I was okay.
Probably the stupidest thing I've done was riding to work after the first time I installed my own chain - there was a lot of drag and a faintly odd noise coming from the rear mech. After a while I stopped and realised I'd managed to thread the chain the wrong side of the metal tab that connects the two sides of the rear mech hanger. 
Fortunately I'd put powerlinks on so I just hopped onto the pavement, re-routed it and carried on.
Sorry, that's not very epic is it...
Fortunately I'd put powerlinks on so I just hopped onto the pavement, re-routed it and carried on.
Sorry, that's not very epic is it...
Mr Will said:
Loving these stories but one thing seems apparent, everyone else's seems to date from when the were a child/teen. Am I the only one who's never grown up?
You only asked for the most stupid thing 
'nother one... on my MTB I have cheese grater style pedals, the ones with the jagged edges for grip. For normal riding they're great. For jumping... not so. While in the woods me and a mate found a little hill wich we could use as a ramp. Being in Holland, this is a bit rare (like überrare!). Making the most of it and jumping like fools, I tried one last time to get the most airtime possible... only to slip of the left pedal and sliding with my shin (sp?) along the edge of the pedal, banging my nuts on the bar and stop my forward momentum by hitting a tree.
Luckily shut some cuts and bruizes and dented pride... oh, and a mate who nearly wet him self laughing
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