In praise of gloves

[Eric Platt]

This morning, instead of going over the old-time jam I usually attend, decided to head down to Jim Thill's shop for the Saturday morning ride.  Was a nice, relaxing ride with a great breakfast stop at Seward Cafe in Minneapolis.  What was left of the group decided to do some exploring.  Rode over to the Prospect Park water tower (aka witch hat tower) in Minneapolis, MN.  Everything was fine, and I even found a shortcut to avoid a busy stretch of road.  Just as we get to the tower, I start riding on a path with a couple friends.  Well, my SimpleOne decides to drift right off the path, I correct and next thing you know, wham!  Down on the ground.  Left knee really skinned.  Hands stunned and left side hurting.  Yeah, was dumb and put the left hand out just like you're not supposed to do.  Luckily no collarbone break.  Hands still hurting 10 hours later, but the Rivendell summer gloves did their job.  Prevented serious road rash.  So I should be able to attend the music festival later next week and play guitar for hours and hours backing up fiddles and banjos.

 

What was really bad is this took place at about 6 mph.  Definitely feeling old and dumb tonight. 

 

Except for a slightly shifted brake lever, the SimpleOne had no issues.  In fact, got me back to the shop where the ride started without any complaint.   It's a lot tougher than I am.

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[Tom M]

I do like those gloves. When the weather starts to get cold, I wear silk liners under them. Glad your injuries weren't any worse.

--Tom

[Jay in Tel Aviv]

Glad your hands are alright. I wear gloves most of the time for just
that reason. What do you play?

[Michael Hechmer]

Most of the spills I have taken have been at slow speeds and near the end of a ride in very hot weather, which is exactly the moment we are least attentive.  I'm glad to read that you are fundamentally OK.  I always wear gloves and always keep my thumbs hooked on the bars or hoods.  

Michael 

On Saturday, August 4, 2012 9:45:54 PM UTC-4, EricP wrote:

[Eric Platt]

Jay,

 

Mainly play acoustic guitar, although dabble in a few other instruments.  My main interest is old-time string-band music, although am starting to learn cajun backup. 

 

Otherwise am glad to have gotten through the accident with not too much damage.  Could have easily had a collarbone or wrist go snap.  In fact, am contemplating a ride later today.  But it will be on my upright bar bike and very leisurely. 

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

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[richd...@gmail.com]

I was reminded how important it is to have gloves the other night.  I took my 7 yo son and 12 yo daughter on an off-road ride (in the scenic George Wyth park in Cedar Falls,  IA for those who care) In any case, my son went down and one hand was covered with about 10 really nasty slivers.  About 45 minutes later at home we tried to remove as many as we could.  Many tears later....we had only half of the tiny buggers out.  "Dad, why did you let me ride with out my gloves"  Oh the guilt!!  

[Beth H]

Eric -- OWW! Having known my share of road rash over the years I get it. 

The last time Sweetie and I traveled to the Bay Area we stopped in at Riv HQ to kidnap Grant for a lunch break (he doesn't always take them). Before we left I bought something like nine pairs of the small-sized summer gloves on closeout (we wear the same size glove). As someone who works with her hands (fixing bikes and playing guitar) I would be lost without my padded gloves.

Hope you heal quickly and that the road rash isn't too awful. --Beth in PDX

On Saturday, August 4, 2012 6:45:54 PM UTC-7, EricP wrote:

[snip] Hands still hurting 10 hours later, but the Rivendell summer gloves did their job.  Prevented serious road rash.  So I should be able to attend the music festival later next week and play guitar for hours and hours backing up fiddles and banjos.

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

Eric is tougher than he lets on! He and his Simpleone, which is a lovely bike by the way, had no trouble going down the road on the return leg of the ride, despite the earlier adversity. I hear that the average cyclist crashes every 3700 miles. Must be a relief to Eric to now have half a year of crash-free riding ahead of him!

[John Blish]

On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 11:55 AM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery <thil...@gmail.com> wrote:

 I hear that the average cyclist crashes every 3700 miles. Must be a relief to Eric to now have half a year of crash-free riding ahead of him!

I tried to include a thought like that in my private message to Eric but however I said it, it sounded like it might be a jinx, so I left it out.  You said it right.

Also, I am about due, except, of course, for the crash-proof guarantee that came with my Bosco bars.  Thanks Nitto and RBW. 

-jb

--
John Blish
Minneapolis MN USA

[Jim Cloud]

Sorry that you had that accident, but I appreciate your post about the
protection afforded by wearing your cycling gloves. I always wear
cycling gloves, both for an anticipated safety advantage and the
additional cushioning effect from the handlebars.

I think one of the situations that is often neglected in bicycle
safety is that accidents sufficient to cause injury don't have to
occur at higher speeds. As you've noted, the speed you were traveling
was "only" about 6 mph. Falling from a bicycle, even at almost a
standing speed can certainly cause injury and it doesn't take much
speed to amplify the forces involved in any fall.

They're called accidents for a reason, you can't necessarily avoid
them and the consequences can be serious. Personal safety should
always be a consideration when riding, and any reasonable actions
possible to ameliorate injury should be taken seriously.

"Signing off the soapbox"
Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ

[Eric Platt]

Well, I did get out on a somewhat slow ride today. Not on a Rivendell, but another bike with more upright bars.  My left side still aches.  But the knees and hands function.  Have been practicing guitar this afternoon and no issues.  Am lucky, I guess.  Although at age 48 it's not as easy to rebound from a crash as when I was younger.

 

During the ride -  what happens but my rear tire goes flat.  Became sort of a small joke trying to fix it without resting the bike or the wheel up against my knee.  Never realized how much I rely on it for things other than walking.  BTW, the reason was my Velox tape had migrated.  This is the second flat I've had this year due to tape creep.  Might end up going to something else in the future.

 

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

On Sun, Aug 5, 2012 at 11:55 AM, Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery

Eric is tougher than he lets on! He and his Simpleone, which is a lovely bike by the way, had no trouble going down the road on the return leg of the ride, despite the earlier adversity. I hear that the average cyclist crashes every 3700 miles. Must be a relief to Eric to now have half a year of crash-free riding ahead of him!

--

[charlie]

Glad you are okay.....did a similar thing a year ago.... wiped out on ice at about 1.3 mph. My shoulder has never been the same. Was wearing wool full fingered gloves and broke my fall judo style. I almost always wear leather finger less gloves in warmer weather. I also play the mandolin and am a jeweler by trade and can't afford my hands to be mangled. At 53 I don't heal so fast and the thought of a real crash is starting to concern me.

On Saturday, August 4, 2012 6:45:54 PM UTC-7, EricP wrote: