Stupid stuff you do on a ride.

[mr. tibbs]

As for the stupidest thing I've done: I tried to run through all the stupid things I've done on or near a bike, but ran out of time. The story that stands out, though, is this:
*snip--too painful to quote*

Oh man! That's the worst story I've ever read. I was cringing up into a ball, mouth agape, the whole time. I can't imagine consciously choosing an asphalt bath--regardless of what else is waiting down the road.

 

[MarkvW]

along with the stupidity of breaking the ban,

I also speed up when I am not on the road alone, meaning if there are cars, pedestrians, people outside at their houses, other cyclists I will go faster out of some stupid sense of pride or whatever.

I also leave the little 'nut' washers on my valve stems but unscrew them to the very VERY last thread of the stem because I believe that when they are screwed down to the rim they create unnecessary tension in the tube on each rotation. People see my 'nuts' unscrewed and are always either screwing them down as a favor to me or reminding me to screw them down. Then I either have to explain to them why I do this, to which they look at me with a range of expressions ranging from puzzlement to horror or just say 'Oh, yeah' and act like it was my error so I don't have to explain that I am in fact a stark raving lunatic pretending to blend in with the non-obsessive world. I started doing this early on in my riding career when I got a flat from a tube going flat and a buddy suggested the tube went flat from that rotational tension being created by the stem washer being screwed down. And yes, I also can explain why I just don't throw the nuts away like most people.

Martin, I am now resuming ban and ceasing my incessant skandarteering.

As far as I can tell, the only purpose for the nuts on the valve stems is for making it easier to inflate the tire by keeping the stem in a fixed position--and I love them for that reason. When it is cold and dark, and I am tired and wet, especially.

 

[ElChingon]

As far as I can tell, the only purpose for the nuts on the valve stems is for making it easier to inflate the tire by keeping the stem in a fixed position--and I love them for that reason. When it is cold and dark, and I am tired and wet, especially.

I only use them when I have a valve stem that's too short and I need to force enough stem out to inflate at least on the first mounting of the short valve stem tube. Yea, mainly happens when I forget the correct length tube or flatted too many times and was loaned a tube that was too short (the valve stem). So I keep a spare nut in the supply bag on the bike, just one. Assuming the valve stem has a thread, don't get me started on those slick stems that some pumps never get a good seal on.

 

[Maxiton]

Oh man! That's the worst story I've ever read. I was cringing up into a ball, mouth agape, the whole time. I can't imagine consciously choosing an asphalt bath--regardless of what else is waiting down the road.

Thanks for the feedback, mr. tibbs, and for reading all that. I'm really glad it had that effect on you. I guess that means I was able to convey some of the sheer terror I was experiencing at the time. I was really lucky to get out of that with just a few scrapes. Since then, making sure the brakes are connected has been rule #1!

Here is some of the regular stupid stuff I do:

* Trying to race motor vehicles - cars, buses, what have you.

* Chasing down cars when people yell stupid stuff at me. Really no reason for me to do that, and no matter how you look at it, it's just not a very bright move.

* Planning a long ride into unfamiliar territory, but getting lost instead and spending my entire ride time trying to get back on route - despite having an iPhone in my saddle bag, and then later putting it in my jersey pocket. I've done this more than once.

* Splitting traffic lanes at speed on urban descents. (I don't actually do this anymore, but it wasn't very long ago that I did.)

The number one stupidest thing I've done recently, though, is going for too long without riding. There really is no good excuse for it, especially since I love riding so much.

 

[Boeing]

I drove off with out my bike today after a ride. Luckily I didnt reverse over it. It wa leaning against the front bumper of my SUV. . It fell as i backed away only saw it when someone honked.

maybe this belongs in the bonk thread

 

[hrotha]

Going on a pretty demanding group ride after having barely touched your bike for months due to almost constant illness and injuries. Damn.

 

[Boeing]

I found this guy early one forth of july morning many moons ago and stumbled on the photo again. he was off the back of his buddies and hit this screw. no cell. no one waited

memo dont run over stuff

 

[Boeing]

Going on a pretty demanding group ride after having barely touched your bike for months due to almost constant illness and injuries. Damn.

yea like you are going to make it all up in one day. I hate it when that happens

 

[Euskaltel!]

After a month of riding with clipless...

Yeah, I forgot, couldn't get my foot out and toppled over onto tarmac in front of a crossroads full of traffic queues.

Ouch.

 

[RedheadDane]

Not exactly on a ride as I'd already stopped.
But anyway... earlier this week I had to do a left-hand turn, I croshed the road in one direction and prepared to wait until I got the green lights in the other. However as I was afraid I'd be in the way of the cars who would come from behind me and turn right (getting a green arrow before I got the green light) I attempted to get the back wheel of my bike more alligned with the curb...
Then I kinda lost my balance and fell on my behind in the middle of the street. Got quite a bruise above my left knee where my bike hit me... otherwise unhurt except for a dented pride...