My first off...

[griffter]

Had my first crash in 25 years on Friday, at Carrow Hill near Hereford. I can't quite believe I got away as lightly as I did. I was descending when my front wheel slid out, and I hit the road with my right elbow taking most of the impact. My hips, knee, foot and bike followed. I obviously slid for a bit and stopped in a heap just before a ditch. Most of my clothing is trashed.

I was wearing a base layer, fleece and rain jacket. I went through all three layers before using skin to slow down, but that seems to have limited the damage a lot. I got gravel rash and bruising on my hip. It turns out I sprained my left thumb as well and some neck and abdomen aches and pains have since materialised, but nothing broken or missing and I'm up and about. I can't help thinking if id been wearing less I'd be much worse off.

Fortunately several passers by stopped including a lovely lady from alderley edge on her way to a wedding. Betwe her and the guy from the nearest house they patched me up, looked after me and she held my bike while I straightened it out. What lovely people and a reassurance in human nature.


Anyway it's occurred to me, does anyone wear padding for road biking? Although I got off very lightly (and managed to ride to my destination in Shropshire in fact) A set of elbow pads would have made it a lot less uncomfortable. I'm seriously considering whether to invest in some and maybe some armoured shorts to go over my bib tights. Any advice?

[Kermit power]

I wear knee and elbow pads all the time when I'm mountain biking, but as you say, it's the first road off you've had in 25 years.

Pads are one thing riding off road, but I reckon they'd be a whole different sweaty nightmare matter on a road bike in the summer!

[Bertrum]

After a mighty speed wobble on Sunday at about 35mph after being caught by a cross wind, I'm thinking the same thing. As that would have really hurt if i'd gone down.

I was thinking there must be some kind on unobtrusive pads you can wear,

Or should I just man up.

[Kermit power]

Bertrum said:

After a mighty speed wobble on Sunday at about 35mph after being caught by a cross wind, I'm thinking the same thing. As that would have really hurt if i'd gone down.

I was thinking there must be some kind on unobtrusive pads you can wear,

Or should I just man up.

Google "Unobtrusive pads". Click on the first result. That should answer your question!

[TwistingMyMelon]

Ouch hope you heal up, always give yourself a good check over a few days later, some injuries take a while to come through, Ive got a graze on my arm that is still healing from 6 months ago!

Look at some new tyres, some are lethal in the wet, whilst others are much more sure footed. Tyre rubber hardens over time/mileage making grip less in the rain

Trouble with padding , is in the summer no chance! And in the winter you come down hard all over, so padding in one place wont help. Gloves, helmet and eye protection cover the worst.

[walm]

Kermit power said:

Google "Unobtrusive pads". Click on the first result. That should answer your question!

Dammit.
Hook, line and sinker.
Never mind. My internet history was probably due a clean anyway.

[Kermit power]

walm said:

Kermit power said:

Google "Unobtrusive pads". Click on the first result. That should answer your question!

Dammit.
Hook, line and sinker.
Never mind. My internet history was probably due a clean anyway.

That really was the first result too!

[Banana Boy]

I feel your pain OP!

I also had a little off on Saturday morning, luckily at a very low speed (10-12mph?) but exactly the same front wheel wash out. Managed to gain a small graze on the lever tops and left pedal and a rip to the bar tape... Oh and grazes to my left thigh, knee, shoulder and my right hand fingers?! Bruised my shoulder which is quite stiff and I think I've fractured a bone or two in my left hand which is very 'sharp' when I put any weight on it - like when riding my bike...

I'm glad you found helpful people, I came off right next to someone waiting to turn out of the junction I crashed into... they barely acknowledged my existence and simply drove off without even asking if I was OK?! I do wonder if they'd have stopped even if I had lay there motionless?!

During the 60km ride home, (pride and piss taking wives lead me to plug on regardless...) I also thought about my clothing and padding etc. but I think the honest answer is just to man up and accept that the risk we take makes us 'badass'!

I have to admit though, I did struggle to sleep last night... I genuinely think I was nervous about riding to work this morning! - I'm glad I made myself do it on the same bike this morning though, took it steady and enjoyed the ride again!

[W00DY]

You crashed once in 25 years and are thinking of elbow pads!?

Even racing mountain bikes in the Alps didn't get me in a pair for long. They're not very nice to wear unless you sped big money.

[griffter]

Thanks for replies 😀
I've crashed once in 25 years, but I've only been riding regularly for a couple of years most recently. The pads thinking is born of the same chain of thought that means I now wear gloves when working on the car. Remember swarfega? So do I... And skinned knuckles, bruised palms and black nails. Since bothering to wear decent gloves I don't need swarfega anymore. and if the spanner slips I don't lose half an hour washing and dressing my wound before carrying on changing my brake discs or whatever.

It seems to me the same could apply to padding. Enough to improve your chances of getting home, and preferably being able to go out again within a week has got to be worth it, hasn't it?

I hear the sweaty in summer warnings but I sweat standing still in summer so it might not make much difference.

Of course if I wear them I won't need them, but if I don't...

[subsea99]

I use these on the mountain bike very comfy to wear on long days in saddle,dunno if they would look out of place on the road bike,but if its gonna save an injury who cares

http://g-form.com/en/shop-sport/bike/

[griffter]

subsea99 said:

I use these on the mountain bike very comfy to wear on long days in saddle,dunno if they would look out of place on the road bike,but if its gonna save an injury who cares

http://g-form.com/en/shop-sport/bike/

Just to round this off by saying thank you. I bought a nukeproof critical armoured base layer from crc. Very similar to what you use. I hope I never get to test its effectiveness but it's comfy, light and should take the hit out of a fall. Plus it's motivated me to get back into mtb as well.