Wednesday, June 18th, 2008
Almost falling off a bike

Yesterday I decided to take my bike for a quick ride. It was weird riding it without my clip-in peddals. One broke off a few weeks ago and the bike shop has been working on getting me some cheap ones.

I took off for nearby Washington Park. I was doing a couple laps around the park...was coming down a little hill when suddenly my enitre bike felt like it was going to fall out from underneath me.

My front tire had a flat...and the tire quickly fell down to the ground with my weight causing me to lose control. For a split second I pictured my self going flying on to the pavement (i was doing about 20mph)...at the last second i caught my bike...made a weight correction....and halted to a stop at the bottom of the hill. I felt my front tire and exhaled. MY roomie Steve came and saved me from a long walk home.

A year ago today I was on a bike trip across the United States of America....and was in Kentucky. I was thinking how I miss the days of just having to wake up....and the only worry was making it from point A to point B. The real world isn't as much fun.
Tags:  biking
12 Comments
lgrant
1) Glad to hear you are ok and your skills kept you from going SPLAT! I can fall hitting a bump wrong...a very little bump...more like a slight rise. I admire people who can ride so well.

I know what you mean about the trip. I didn't do it with a bike but a car (back when gas was not gold-plated!). I slept in the car if it was wet (or looked snaky) but slept out on the ground otherwise, I loved getting up with the light and going to sleep with the dark. Very natural. I remember coming home and feeling I had wheels for feet. I can imagine the bike would make that even more obvious. It was hard to stay still and took some effort. Maybe you'll get to make another one of those. My old boss in MN was going to do one the length of the Mississippi River. I don't know if he ever did but it sounded like a great ride.
LGrant   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Leslie
2) I'm glad you didn't wipe out and break every bone in your body. I'd call that divine intervention
The real world may not be as much fun, but it could totally suck much worse too. Like living in Cedar City Iowa and having your house sitting 10-20 feet of water. There are real worlds and then there are real worlds. Yours is pretty darn good and so is mine. Thank you God.
Leslie   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
mrsshoo
3) Ben, we saw you out at the Motorboat Club the other day, but we didn't get a chance to say hey. Glad you survived what could've been a catastrophe.
Mrs. Shoo   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
daveheinzel
4) Good save on the bike dude. But something doesn't add up... you were going downhill, but were only going 20 mph? I would expect you to be cruising at 28 or more down a hill. Please to explain.
Dave Heinzel   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
George
5) Dave, not all hills are as steep as the one you rode down in the movie.
LimeyGeorge   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
lgrant
6) Maybe only pink bikes can go that fast downhill.
LGrant   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
billpearch
7) I had my rear tire break loose the other day. The disappointing part was that I was at a complete stop at York and St. Charles. The guy in his SUV at the intersection looked at me and chuckled. Definitely put a dent in my bike stats on Dave's bike page. Now I'm using my backup bike.
Bill   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
nheinzel
8) So glad you're OK, Biker Ben!!! Please be careful!! You have a lot of fans in Springfield (like me!!).
!   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
ben
9) Mrs.Shoo: very upset you did not say hi to me! How did I miss you?! That is now you and Russ who have avoided me while on the job. Why does no one like to say hi? haha

Dave: You're right...I prolly was going faster. I didn't have a chance to look down to check in time of impending doom.
Biker Ben   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
gotshoo
10) I'll tell you why Ben... you were talking to some cougar and her man friend.
shoo   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
ben
11) HAHAHAHAHA. That guy offered me vodka and a beer. When I said..."sorry man, I happen to be on the clock"...he laughed and offered it again. I sort of akwardly chuckled.

PS....that food looked amazing. I was very jealous.
Biker Ben   Wednesday, June 18, 2008
mrsshoo
12) Ben, like Mr. Shoo said, the cougar and overly-tanned man kind of frightened us off...then the fantastic food distracted us. Didn't they let you eat any? I figured you got to sneak a plate or two.
Mrs. Shoo   Thursday, June 19, 2008
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