cycle-carnage

[benVFR]

There was a huge crash in the bicycle race I was in yesterday. It was pretty retarded. There was no cash prize for winning, and you couldn't even really get any "points". Last lap a bunch of idiots pull off a big swerve move trying to screw people up, as if they were in some crazy Euro race with a major prize. Going into the first corner someone slams into me from the side, I end up leaning hard against him for like 5 seconds. Thank god he also knew what to do in that situation, if either one of us had poor handling skills we would have gone down there and got run over. (Tight pack of 50 people) I was kind of marked after winning last week. I should have tried to pull another crazy move as things were still slow yesterday.

Then coming out of the last corner they do the same thing, at this point I had pretty much backed off, there is a big crash 2-3 guys going down hard, other people running over them and flying over the bars.

I missed one of the downed riders by inches, but his bike was cartwheeling down the road/flipping through the air, it slammed into my left hand really hard. Got into a big headshake and just barely saved it.

I cleaned it up myself after the finish, but one of my fingers was swelling like crazy and the fingernail was turning blue. I ended up going to the hospital last night to get it checked. Luckily I didn't break it. They just had put a hole in my fingernail so it could drain. Pretty gross (squirt) but it stopped hurting almost immediately.

Bunch of morons. 2 people ended up getting taken to the hospital in ambulances. Talk about your early season testosterone surge. Totally ironic that I think motorcycle gloves would have easily prevented the injury.

Ben

[MissTwisties]

Sorry to hear that... Glad you're ok.

[TheIglu]

That's it. Next time, show them you mean business. Wear full racing leather, knee pucks and all, a Snell95 Helmet and carbon fiber racing gloves with the studded palms. Then when the retards start throwin their weight around, show them the error of their ways

[benVFR]

Yah.. I agree actually. I wouldn't have minded having it on video at all. Kind of macarbe but I could laugh at it already. It'd fit right in with that "Bodies hit the floor" video from a week ago.

Everytime one of my fellow cyclists tell me I was nuts to ride motorcycles I remind them of this. It really only happens in certain types of races and/or situations. Usually people are fine, and if there are hills in a course, it will break up the pack enough that it negates the sprint in a lot of situations. People usually won't bother with a squirrely/dangerous sprint for 20th place if the top 20 guys had escaped up a hill.

It also gets more rare as you move up the classifications. I'm stuck in "Category 5" right now, it is often called "Crash 5". I'm going to try and get an upgrade after next weekend.

It's just a major type-A sport, people are really agressive.

Ben

[MissTwisties]

Oh....shit....I guess I readed the wrong way the first time..I thought you were in a motorcycle race...I was like "WTF, the guy didn't even crash having a bike weight against him??"

[Pearldog]

Hey Ben-

That turn 4 @ Wells is famous for those kind of crashes. Several years ago I actually got passed by someone sprinting on the sidewalk @ that turn..he proceeded to jump the curb back into the pack..clipped his buddies wheel and took down the entire pack. Like you...I ended up riding bewteen a guy and his bike. About 5 of us got through and then turned around to check everyone out. That early AM race always has alot of triathletes with marginal bike riding skills. Riding with the B's and C's is alot safer...but faster.

[benVFR]

Yah I'm having little patience at this point with the cornering skills of Cat 5 people. Those turns at Well's are wide, smooth, and very easy to negotiate, and yet everyone is trail braking, changing lines, etc.. every time through. I can't wait to upgrade.

Ben

[Pearldog]

yeah..as you move up..riders just rail the corners...you will hear people shouting "no brakes" BTW..how is turn 4 this year...it can be sandy. Hopefully I'll get out soon...Marblehead is not far away...

[benVFR]

Yah next weekend will be nuts for me. I'm doing the Tufts crit on saturday and Marblehead on Sunday. The Tufts one is super-technical, hopefully that doesn't turn into a bloodbath. I'm just trying to pile on the races so I can upgrade.

Well's Ave is pretty much spotless. Last weekend we had about 25 people out there and we cleaned it very thoroughly.

Ben

[Pearldog]

Ben-

If you are really nice and have a moment..introduce yourself to Diane Fortini and Bill Dolan. They are 2 of the more senior New England area officials...it always helps to know someone like Bill or Diane. They have helped me out a great deal over the years.

Lyle