Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I could not fail noticing the pictures of the children riding were taken in the environment most remote from what we see in the city. However, we are talking about the urban cycling safety.
My most serious head related crash occured on asphalt, not a gnarly singletrack. My brother was following me at a distance with his car (he knew my position as I carried a GPS tracker with me as any of that race participants), so he intercepted me post crash and forced to stop and take a rest. (It was him to take these pictures). There also were two riders who witnessed the crash and joined to help.
The helmet looked scratched but seemingly intact. Later inspection proved the interior lining was totally cracked on the side of the impact. However, my ear was not even scratched!
I was in a semi-coma for half an hour but recovered and continued the race for 263.5 km in 26:48 hours gross. Other bodily harm? Oh, I suffered the pain in my shoulder for the next 2 months. Otherwise, no damage.
One of the witnesses wrote on his Strava: 'Last Saturday, I could see something really shocking on my ride. There was a cyclist riding at some 30 km/h, and his bike slipped on a speed bump. He crashed and was laying there. As we approached him and asked how he felt, he suddenly got up, said it was all OK with him, and he continued his ride. We followed him to make sure. That was something I could see for the first time in my life, such a crash and a recovery! The guy wore a helmet. Always wear a helmet!'
On one of my night crashes, the impact was as big as a crank of my e-bike got bent, and a pedal axle got crooked. I suffered no slightest harm on that crash! The e-bike took all the beating!
If the time allows, I turn my body in the air to fall on my back: it is only the head that would be met with the impact (helmet). However, the most dangerous crashes happen when you do not expect them and have no time to react. As I said before the "zero speed crash" (when the bike has suddenly stopped for any reason) leaves no time for any reaction and hurts the most.
My most serious head related crash occured on asphalt, not a gnarly singletrack. My brother was following me at a distance with his car (he knew my position as I carried a GPS tracker with me as any of that race participants), so he intercepted me post crash and forced to stop and take a rest. (It was him to take these pictures). There also were two riders who witnessed the crash and joined to help.
The helmet looked scratched but seemingly intact. Later inspection proved the interior lining was totally cracked on the side of the impact. However, my ear was not even scratched!
I was in a semi-coma for half an hour but recovered and continued the race for 263.5 km in 26:48 hours gross. Other bodily harm? Oh, I suffered the pain in my shoulder for the next 2 months. Otherwise, no damage.
One of the witnesses wrote on his Strava: 'Last Saturday, I could see something really shocking on my ride. There was a cyclist riding at some 30 km/h, and his bike slipped on a speed bump. He crashed and was laying there. As we approached him and asked how he felt, he suddenly got up, said it was all OK with him, and he continued his ride. We followed him to make sure. That was something I could see for the first time in my life, such a crash and a recovery! The guy wore a helmet. Always wear a helmet!'
My survival technique is the following: I never move my feet off the pedals, and I hold the handlebar grips when I am about to crash. The bicycle with its bar-end and pedal acts in a way a little bit similar to the car's safety belt. If you do not remove your foot off your pedal, you wouldn't break your leg. If you keep your hand on the handlebar grip, you will not break your arm. Wearing cycling gloves will protect your hands. The only body parts that are vulnerable and not protected by the bike are: your head (helmet), your knees and elbows (I do not wear protective pads but I perhaps should).
On one of my night crashes, the impact was as big as a crank of my e-bike got bent, and a pedal axle got crooked. I suffered no slightest harm on that crash! The e-bike took all the beating!
If the time allows, I turn my body in the air to fall on my back: it is only the head that would be met with the impact (helmet). However, the most dangerous crashes happen when you do not expect them and have no time to react. As I said before the "zero speed crash" (when the bike has suddenly stopped for any reason) leaves no time for any reaction and hurts the most.
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helmet, I carefully read the user manual. There was a detailed instruction how to fit and wear a helmet, with pictures similar to yours!
it got destroyed when I planted my face in the mud protected my eyes from serious damage. I wear Smith and Wesson shooting safety glasses 10 buck a pair.
