Just wanted to clear my mind and share my thoughts. I was out on a Thursday nite fast ride with a group that I have ridden with for about 5 years. We had some wicked rain earlier in the day that left some branches and what not on the road in a section the of ride that is heavily tree lined. I was calling everything out as I saw it but, as we rounded a corner, came upon a mess that was nearly impossible to miss. The first three of us got through it ok but someone hit a piece of wood and went down hard taking a few others with him. I heard everything and just cringed as I slowed and turned around to make sure everyone was ok.
If you ride long enough, your gonna see and be involved in a crash at some point. I was just feeling guilty b/c I like to be in front and pull, especially on roads that have a lot of potholes or debris for the simple fact that I like to see what is coming. Anyway, no broken bones but a lot of limping people, road rash and mangled bikes.
Anyone been through this? I hate feeling like this.
When you ride with packs, as I do a lot, it’s inevitable at some point. I wasn’t there, but if the first three of you got through, I really don’t see how it could be 100% your fault. Sure it sucks, but that’s what happens in a paceline at 24 mph. We had a guy check up in second wheel two weeks ago and take out a group. A few collarbones, puntures lungs, roadrash, the whole nine yards. The guy that got the worst of it said, “Hey, I was 2” from his wheel, what are you gonna do?"
I was near the front, but not on the front when my crash happened. I feel really bad for everybody that went down as a result of my equipment malfunction, but not responsible - if you catch the difference. I was the one that last tightened the skewer on my front wheel and still feel that there was adiquate pressure used (even after I rechecked it after the accident). Bottom line is that I was not being neglectful and it coudl have hapened to anybody. Like you said (and like Viper said in Top Gun) you do this ling enough and crashes are bound to happen.
some years back i was riding with a group. they were hitting it pretty hard and i was near the back as the group split. something happened in the front group, wheels touched, and part of the pack went down. we in the back group all hit the brakes (couldn’t go around, curb in the middle with trees) and most managed to stop or just have minor collisions. i locked it up and came to a screeching halt about 2 inches from the guy on the ground in front of me. the guy on my right did the exact same thing, we were almost shoulder to shoulder. however, he unclipped, i didn’t. like an idiot i’m at a dead stop, death grip on the brakes and trying to unclip my left foot as i fall to the right. i landed on the guy beside me and broke his ankle. damn, i still feel bad when i think about that. stupid, stupid, stupid.
Was in a 4-bike pileup at the velodrome last week…it wasn’t even my fault (I was at the bottom, and a mere innocent victim :-)) and I felt guilty. But shit happens. And yeah, it’s an “occupational” hazard, I guess. Be smart, be safe, and take your lumps.
Sort of related - I was watching an ITU race about 2 months ago (I think it was in Portugal, Gomez won the men’s race and a local favorite won for the women). Anyway there was a crash, only a few went down, but what amazed me was when they showed the slow-motion footage. I’m sure there was a lot of luck involved, but one of the riders who was directly behind the crash locked his rear brakes and not the front, his rear tire skidded to the right as he expertly steered left AROUND the crash - missing the crash by mere inches. It was like this guy was godlike. I had it on tape so I watched it a few times and couldn’t believe my eyes.