It started after my fourth fall in 3 years. What are the best ways to keep upright?
I knew after the Arizona tumble that clips would be a good starting place. It’s not that I’m afraid to clip in or inept at riding in them. However, after my fall, laying there in the shadows of the Mule Mountains, I looked down and shoes were still clipped to my SPD pedals.
Hmmmm. What’s next–training wheels?
So I consulted with my expert on riding expertly on flat pedals, Elisa. She practically cheered when I said I wanted to convert. At that moment I realized that I was on the right path. And it fit right in with the “this is my bicycle “ mantra.
The next step was driven by both the cause of my falls as well as my ortho doc. I needed to find a way to minimize rolling falls, not put a load on my healing collarbone and generally slow down.
Enter my fat tire bikes.
I have two outfitted with tires ranging from 36 to 40. The WiteRok CrossByrd is my single speed, built by my friend Nik. The hybrid is a Giant Roam. The both feature upright handlebars, fat tires and are fairly new. This is about comfort and safety not speed so I felt good about both.
At least now when I traverse the street I won’t be on narrow tires that can get caught in grooves in the pavement. And I won’t it stuck in clips that won’t let go.
I’m feeling safer already.
Relentless
