I posted too soon

[magid]

Or something like that.

I was out in Weston, and managed to fall while on the bike. I'm not exactly sure what happened, though I'm sure being somewhat tired didn't help. Anyway, it felt like just another fall, not at any great speed (I was going uphill), but when I got my other foot free and stood the bike up, I'd managed to do a lot. Dang. I didn't even realize the extent of the damage until I was riding again. Luckily, it was ridable; otherwise it would've been a pain to get the bike to a bike store (or me home, or whatever). The particulars: saddle knocked sideways (from noon to at least 1 o'clock, and it was still tightly enough on the stem that I couldn't shift it back with just my hands), lower curl of right handlebar bent inwards, front wheel out of true (and a scraped knee).

I made it to the bike store, and they reset the saddle, replaced (and wrapped) new handlebars, and trued the wheel. Which is to say, my most expensive bike fall yet (hopefully, ever!). At least the mechanics were able to deal with my bike right then, so I didn't have to figure out walking home from Belmont in biking shoes.

Everything dealt with, I headed out again, this time heading north (I'd already promised myself that I would not go on Trapelo Rd. inbound east of Belmont Wheelworks because the surface is so horrible). And while I was still somewhat tired, it was good to have the rest of my ride.

Of course, it couldn't be quite that simple, so when I was in Winchester, I somehow managed to shift the chain not onto the small gear, but beyond it. In other words, it shifted right off the gears. I spun the pedals for a moment as I realized what happened, and managed to wrench my foot out in time to avoid falling again. I upended the bike and got the chain back on, spinning the pedals until I was comfortable it really was on.

Thank goodness nothing else happened on the way home! I still don't know why the chain jumped like that, and part of me wonders whether I should get the bike checked out further. But the tiredness (read: inertia) has won so far.

Comments

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

ow!

I'm scared of biking.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I'm glad you didn't get banged up badly.

My chain slipped off my bike several times last year; something had gotten out of alignment. Then, while crossing a busy 4-lane road, it broke. That was exciting.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh my! And I would have commented on the earlier post that you should use your new bike in good health. Well, I still wish that for you! No more scrapes for you!

I find it difficult when an exciting new purchase that I am enjoying using gets damaged and repaired not-just-like-new. I hope it works out easily for you and that using the bike will still bring you joy.

Rest up over Shabbat!

[magid.livejournal.com]

Road biking in Boston, or biking in general?

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thanks. This morning I discovered another bruise... on my chest. No wonder it was hurting a bit last night. And I'm somewhat clueless how I managed it.

Broken chain in traffic! Eek! Not the kind of exciting I'm hoping to have.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm hoping that I'm working on the good health by using it :-). Plus, while I've got an impressive collection of bruises, thankfully that's all it is, and those heal. (Though I should be eating more protein to help that process along!)

And you're exactly right: that first ding/dent/break is always mentally difficult. I look at the handlebars, and see the different tape, and the saddle got scraped on one side. Just have to keep going, I suppose.

And I will! (I'm being a bit of a nervous Nellie about the weather, debating just when it will start raining, and whether I should just go to the gym instead, even though stationary bikes are not nearly the same kind of workout.)

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

mostly the first, although stuff like falling off, getting tangled in the chain and getting chased by dogs can happen anywhere...

[magid.livejournal.com]

*nod*

Boston's not the easiest place to ride; I tend to head to the outer burbs because it's quieter and there are fewer lights. So far, I haven't gotten tangled in chain nor chased by dogs; I'm not sure what I'd do if I did...

[xuth.livejournal.com]

Regarding your chain coming off: There are two screws on both the front and rear derailleurs that limit how far they will pull the chain in each direction. They are explicitly to keep you from shifting the chain off. Either the derailleur got misaligned in your fall, it has crept out of alignment on it's own (not that unusual for a bike less than a month old) or it was misaligned to begin with. This is one of the things that a bike shop will take care of in the free checkup 1-3 months after purchase however you should probably take care of it now. It only takes about 5 minutes to check and adjust this and the store you bought it from will likely do it on the spot and for free.

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[xuth.livejournal.com]

As I said in a later comment, there are adjustable stops on each of the deraileurs to keep the chain from coming off. Regarding the broken chain, keeping the chain clean and lubricated goes a long way to keeping the chain from breaking. Each link has a pair of friction fit pins holding it to the adjacent links and if the bearing surfaces on the chain get stuck they can start pulling on the pins.

[(Anonymous)]

I like that way of looking at the idea of using it in good health!

Poor bruised body. Protein helps heal bruises? Neat.

I know it isn't the worst of problems, but I do understand about the diminished excitement and perhaps cringe-worthiness of the visible reminders, and I am sorry.

I am glad you have plans to rest! *grin*

It is reasonable to be cautious about riding in the rain on a bike to which you are not yet accustomed and with which you have just experienced trouble. It hasn't rained too hard. What did you end up deciding?

[magid.livejournal.com]

I avoid biking in the rain as much as possible, so since I didn't get out of the house early enough, no outside ride for me today. I know it's not rational, but I'm convinced that I'll skid or some other bad, rain-related thing will happen. (And that's not just because of the new bike; I've felt this way for years and years.)

[(Anonymous)]

I still think it is quite reasonable, new fear or not.

[catskillz.livejournal.com]

Aah! I'm glad you're OK and that you're on top of the bike repairs! *sends hugs*

(Aside - I read the book you recommended, *Miss Happiness and Miss Flower*. It was lovely! And educational! Thanks so much for passing the title along to me)

[magid.livejournal.com]

Thank you! *hugs back*

(I'm glad you liked it! I always wanted a dollhouse like that, even though I knew I didn't play with dolls enough to warrant it. There's a sequel, Little Plum, that I found much later, and didn't call my name as loudly, though it was nice to visit the characters again.)