Note to Self
Jul. 3rd, 2021 11:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
thisnewdayYou know, the self that did a daily, 20-mile round trip bicycle commute to work for 7 years. The one that wiped out taking a corner too fast at Washington Square after a rainstorm. That broke a hand and would've fractured an eye socket if not for a very good Bell Image helmet--which took the hit and had to be replaced.
That one. And it's a very basic lesson. One that most kids have learned, instinctively, by their second or third ride without the training wheels. The lesson that says, when riding through a corner, especially at max speed and max lean, the crank and pedal that's on the inside is UP.
Otherwise, you know, it drags on on the pavement, puts idiot rider into a half-spin, and dumps his dumb ass on the pavement. Like almost happened today while grinding about $10 worth off of a $30 pedal and causing the two little old ladies who were standing, inexplicably, out in the road to gasp, "Oh My!" (As in, I guess, "Lions and Tigers and Bikes, Oh My!")
Because the little old man on the bike--who happens to be an equal opportunity ageist--is not riding with any instinct at all as yet and almost dumped his ancient ass on the pavement right in front of them.
So, note to self, inside pedal is always UP when going through a corner. Even when riding slowly--just to reinforce the habit...
LPK
Dreamwidth
7.3.2021
That one. And it's a very basic lesson. One that most kids have learned, instinctively, by their second or third ride without the training wheels. The lesson that says, when riding through a corner, especially at max speed and max lean, the crank and pedal that's on the inside is UP.
Otherwise, you know, it drags on on the pavement, puts idiot rider into a half-spin, and dumps his dumb ass on the pavement. Like almost happened today while grinding about $10 worth off of a $30 pedal and causing the two little old ladies who were standing, inexplicably, out in the road to gasp, "Oh My!" (As in, I guess, "Lions and Tigers and Bikes, Oh My!")
Because the little old man on the bike--who happens to be an equal opportunity ageist--is not riding with any instinct at all as yet and almost dumped his ancient ass on the pavement right in front of them.
So, note to self, inside pedal is always UP when going through a corner. Even when riding slowly--just to reinforce the habit...
LPK
Dreamwidth
7.3.2021
no subject
Date: 2021-07-03 11:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-07-04 06:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-07-04 10:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2021-07-04 12:40 pm (UTC)I was once a demon biker myself, but I've given it up entirely because to ride anywhere where I felt safe on the road would involve loading the bike up into a car since the roads around here are so twisty and visibility-impaired, and I live in fear of sustaining some sort of injury that would catapult me once and for all into OLD AGE. 😊
no subject
Date: 2021-07-04 01:11 pm (UTC)And they seemed quite oblivious to their surroundings--until the above-mentioned pedal-scrape--which meant that I had to watch out for them as well as for myself and on-coming traffic.
So, it was an adventure for everyone and, despite my not-so-brilliant riding, lol, everyone was OK, thanks...
no subject
Date: 2021-07-04 01:23 pm (UTC)Even around here, where I've been able to identify a "relatively" safe route, I sometimes question whether I'm doing the smart thing or not. Because, as we both know, a fall from a bike, at any age and at any speed, is potentially catastrophic.
But, in other respects, it's what's keeping me alive. I think...