riding after a fall

riding after a fall

by gina
(portland,, OR)

Ok, I had a fall on my bike, I was going to do a left turn out of driveway onto road gave the bike too much gas ended up in the bushes. Once I fell I got up nothing but some road rash and bruises, bike was fine. I got it home I took it out next day started out slow get the feel but as I was on my way back to the house I fell again in a turn. I really don't know what I did wrong, but now I my confidence is way down. I was wondering if anyone has happened to them what suggestions you can give to new rider and How I can get pass the shaky feeling? Is it best to wait awhile or get right back on bike and how do I get over being afraid of turning. Thanks for your tips; I really want to get back out there but I want to be safe.

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riding after a fall

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May 17, 2009

Dumping
by: Lea

I passed the MSF 2 weeks ago and got my bike 3 days ago. I also have "fallen gracefully" 2x. First was the first day, made a left turn but got nervous because of a car coming out of that road. The bike went slightly off the pavement onto the grass on the shoulder. I had pretty much sopped the bike but lost the balance. Went down in slow motion, picked it up and continued. I stopped about 1/2 mile up the road, had a smoke, looked things over, and then continued on, determined to get this. I stayed out for another 1/2 hour or so just getting comfortable. That was my maiden voyage. Today I went out and dumped again, right after leaving home. I was trying to make a right turn onto a steep uphill. Somehow I must have been in the wrong gear? The bike jerked and we went down. No injuries, no damage but my pride was severely hurt. Again, determined, I went on...I turned around and decided against that hill. I successfully put my first 40 miles on today! I am determined.

May 09, 2009

Falling
by: Sandi

I've just started riding a 750 and have *softly* dropped it twice. (luckily my husband isn't crazy about that stuff or he'd never let me touch it again!) No accident, no damage, no injury...only a little embarrassment. I know what my problem is - I'm nervous in turns and do not like tight turns at all. That's when I've dropped the bike both times. Oddly enough, speeding in turns isn't my problem. I have a tendency to go too slow, which can make turns difficult too. Not sure if that is your case, just something to think of.

Easy for me to say get back on when I haven't been hurt, but that would be my recommendation too. Another recommendation is take the motorcycle safety course. Tons of great information about riding technique.

Sep 27, 2008

To "Falling"
by: Laura

Have you or your son in law taken the MSF course? It doesn't sound like you have, and that is a must. You should never use only your front or only your back brake, they are usually 70/30 usage. Highly rec a class, can't reiterate that enough. Good Luck!

Sep 25, 2008

boots
by: Doreen

onlineshoes.com they are Double H boots item #84772 they come in black or brown and cost 104.95. They are sooo comfortable.

Sep 25, 2008

boots name where did you by
by: gina

Doreen I am looking for a pairof boots , so what brand name, price, where you got them?
email gwizzgina@hotmail.com

Thanks for the tips

Gina

Sep 25, 2008

confidence
by: Doreen

This is the process that I went through after dumping my bike as a new rider. Talked about it a lot and kept saying I was getting back on that horse. Took about 2-3 weeks before I did but I knew that I would eventually. The day I did I was very cautious, wouldn't take sharp turns to turn around and just drove the bike around in my neighborhood. The most important thing I guess is to minimize your idea of getting hurt or not being able to get yourself out of situations, hence my purchase of crash bars so I won't get pinned again. I will not ride my bike without my leather jacket which has all the inserts in the shoulders, elbows, etc., my gloves are also protected around the knuckles, I purchased these awesome boots that have an awesome rubber bottom, go up to close to the knee maybe midcalf and are very stylish as well and I wear a full face helmet. All of these things combined make me feel more confident in case I was to fall again at least I have minimized my danger. Haven't riden the bike with the crash bars yet just got them yesterday hopefully I will have them on by the weekend.

Jun 22, 2008

Falling down
by: Laura

I fell down one time, and I for sure know why. I was stopped at a lite, to turn right, I looked down at the road beside the bike, lost balance,and fell over like the guy on the trike on laugh-in!! I really hurt my ego, and am sure I gave everyone behind me a good laugh, but I would bet ANYTHING you are looking down instead of where you want to go. Remember in class?? They kept reinterating about looking in the direction you want the bike to go?? It is 100% true, if you look at on coming traffic, or in the ditch, you can very likely end up there. Concentrate on this and I think you will not repeat your boo boo. Ride on sister!!

Jun 16, 2008

falling
by: Anonymous

I have also fallen down on my bike. I had my brand new bike and (I call it "dumped") dropped it gracefully 4 times. I found that when I did it I was usually using my front brake. I now use only my back brake lightly as I turn. Make sure you are going slow enough. I was taking off out onto the road and gave it to much gas and didn't have enough room to turn and ended up on someones lawn and scraped up physically and my ego was busted up pretty bad too. I just kept practicing and then it comes as second nature to you. I went riding with my son-in-law yesterday. He just got his bike Saturday and he has never had one and he did the same thing on a turn and he realized he also gave to much gas and his bike gas tank got pretty messed up but not to where he can't drive it. He got back on and we finished out 85 mile trip. I hope this makes you feel better knowing that you are not alone in this situation. Just remember the back brake going in to a turn and when you come to a stop use both brakes but remember to keep you handle bars straight.

Jun 14, 2008

back on the horse
by: Lauren

I had an accident couple years ago, and was afraid of that bike afterwards. However it was an antique bike, and very heavy steel. It was hard to manage sitting still or going. It took a coupe of months for my shoulder to regain mobility to handle a new bike, which is much lighter and center of gravity is much different. Now, honestly, I knocked the new bike over too, more than once, in my own driveway, as its an "S" curve on a hill. But Im not afraid of failing. (Falling perhaps, but not failing, lol ) How many times did you fall on your bicycle? I fell plenty of times skiing too. Only way for muscles to build memory is to repeat the actions over and over again. Muscles will then know what to do without having to tell them !

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