(ABOVE: My crash wasn't this bad...)
Weatherman down!... Bicycle crash on River Trails
I've pedaled over 4,000 miles since I bought an 18 year old Cannondale bicycle two years ago, and I had my first wipe out this last Sunday. I wasn't doing anything exciting like passing Lance or winning a time trial, instead I busted it on wet concrete.
(BELOW: This was my view just before the crash. I couldn't tell the concrete was soaked.)
'X' marks my crash spot on the above and below pictures, and no those aren't my skid marks. There's no evidence of my crash.
I was my riding bicycle Sunday near Riverside Trails, enjoying the warm afternoon. Due to the Trail constuction I rode through the beautiful Brookside neighborhoods, then emerged on 21st then westward across Riverside to the Trail. To get to the Trail from Riverside I took a small sidewalk.
The sidewalk is rather newish concrete and shaded from the sun. With my sunglasses on I couldn't tell the pavement was wet. (I think the concrete kept condensating due to the coolish ground temperatures. The temperature of the shaded concrete was likely 30 degrees cooler and near the dew point/saturation temperature)
I was coasting about 5-10mph slowing down to turn northward on the Trail when my wheels slid left and I fell right. The crash happened instantly.
(ABOVE: I took this picture just after the crash. From this view the concrete appears obviously wet.)
When I checked the surface after I crashed the concrete appeared to have a water treater or was sealed, so the moisture bubbled up instead of absorbing. The concrete didn't turn 'dark' when wet.
I wasn't hurt very badly. I have a small cut on my right arm and leg and huge developing bruise on my right thigh which absorbed most of the fall. Thank Mom's side of the family for the extra cushioning.
My helmet (BELOW IMAGE) has a very small scar from where the side of my head hit the pavement. If I wasn't wearing a helmet, I would've been really hurt! As is, I'm just a little sore.
My neck and shoulders are stiff so the next time you see me doing the weathercast, I'm just gonna stand in one place and not flap my arms.
My bike is fine actually. Somehow my water bottle holder bent, but everything else appears fine.
Bottomline: Even at high Noon, watch for wet pavement hiding in the shadows. And helmets protect you from dying or worse!
BELOW: After the crash I rode out to Sand Springs. The Sand Springs area is my favorite place to ride...beautiful country roads, hills and I did exceed the speed limit coming down this hill on my bike!
