What's the stupidest thing you've ever done on a bicycle?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by miketosh on September 30, 2009 at 11:08am

Taking my wife on an out-of-state, 100 mile (over 4 days) trip to a campground on the beach. She doesn't bike, and had done no training. After day 1 (25 miles) I rode back to get my car and we drove the rest of the way.

Next time we'll be more prepared. If she'll let there be a next time...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Josh Smith on October 7, 2009 at 9:28am

I popped my foot out of place and turned it around backwards playing around on a ghetto quarter pipe. I’ve broken several other bones and had a few concussions too. All of those things really are not stupid though. They are just a painful part of riding a 20inch. At the Dallas Tour De Cure I missed the turn around and rode 42 miles instead of 32. That was stupid. That was also a lot of miles to put in on a 45lb(+) jumper style mountain bike. I’ll be investing in a road bike b/4 next year.

Attachments:

• P8030254.JPG, 1.1 MB

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Adelman on November 12, 2009 at 4:56am

Came to a stop & forgot to unclip. Fell right over. I wish I had a video of it....it probably looked pretty funny.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe on November 20, 2009 at 5:56am

I used to tour in my late teens and early twenties. I really dug cruising the mountain back roads and the freedom. I remember getting "thumbs-up" signs from motorcycle riders as I sweated over mountain passes.

Stupidest/scariest moment I had was descending from the top of Trail Ridge road, US Hiway 34. The summit is over 12,000' in elevation. It's the highest continuous hiway in the US. I rode it in June. There was still lots of snow on the roadside, and by mid-day it was melting quite a bit. The melt water was running across the road on the western end of the road, which received less sun and warmth. After sundown, the rivulets of water froze.

I came cruising over the summit and into the descent about 10:00 AM. As I got down into some serious drop in elevation, and into some switchbacks, I saw the first of many little mini-glaciers crossing the pavement. I was riding a Motobecane Gran Jubile, fully loaded front and rear with gear. With a line of cars behind me, and 15 or 20 miles of descent to go, I just held it straight, braked before the ice, and enjoyed the adrenaline cocktail.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Joe on November 20, 2009 at 6:10am

My absolute most-memorable ride was on US Hiway 34 from Estes Park, CO to the outskirts of Loveland, CO.

July 31, 1976 the area around Estes Park saw a devastating supercell thunderstorm and severe flas.... There was an estimated 139 deaths and $35,000,000 in damage. US Hiway 34 was wiped off the map through the Big Thompson Canyon.

Fast-forward a full year. The hiway has been closed for reconstruction for a full year. Enormous amounts of new smooth curvy grades have been built, and smooth new blacktop have been laid. The 20 some mile stretch of hiway is still closed to the public as crews finish up the final details - guard rails, signs, shoulder work. They barricade the road, top and bottom, at 9:00 AM. It's closed until 3:00 PM.

I leave the house early and ride from my home in Greeley, CO to the base of the climb, just outside Loveland. I hitchhike with my trusty Motobecane up to Estes Park @ 7500' feet. Loveland sits at about 5000' feet. I hang out and wait for the barricades to go up, and the bright orange CDOT truck to roll around the curve. 20 minutes later I push off for the ride of my life. No traffic to speak of - and if there is, it is bright orange with flashy lights. Super-smooth brand new pavement. June sunshine. Startled looks from CDOT guys. Adrenaline and endorphin cocktail.

▶ Reply to This