Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I’ll level with you guys now I can remember more. I was going for a KOM, a nice gentle 5% backstreet climb on a ride I’d already taken three others on, and for #652.

Except this time something on the bike broke -720W and I suspect the seat stay. This on an older but only 18 month assembled pro level Izalco Max frameset.

On the ground before I knew it. I don’t even care about the KOMs but enjoy doing them, but it’s not just worth the risk if these are the consequences. It does annoy me that I really was doing nothing wrong, but that power into a sprint has a lot of energy potential and this is what can happen.

652 is enough!

Focus on recovery first. And rebuild slowly. As long as you enjoy the cycling! Maybe KOMs will come again but not important.

Yeah, I do enjoy it. I suspect I’ll be indoors only for over a month and won’t be in a rush to replace the road bike when I go outdoors, I’ve got a gravel bike which is a lot gentler on everything.

I enjoy it, this is just the time when I size the frame properly and forget the standing efforts for a while. Too old for this rubbish!

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2024 8:07 am

Except this time something on the bike broke -720W and I suspect the seat stay. This on an older but only 18 month assembled pro level Izalco Max frameset.

Crap!

Maybe time for you to reach out to the manufacturers to see if they can build you up a heavier, stronger frame!

720w isn't that crazy however, someone I know quite regularly did 1300w away from traffic lights and no dramas. He was a national champion as well.

I know, I suspect it’s the way it’s delivered rather than the power.

Plan on getting some coaching and a bike fit to work on my seated power. Suspect it will be easier on the body and faster anyway.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:41 am

I know, I suspect it’s the way it’s delivered rather than the power.

Plan on getting some coaching and a bike fit to work on my seated power. Suspect it will be easier on the body and faster anyway.

I agree it is likely the way it is delivered sorry.
There are bigger, heavier, stronger National level cyclists here. They aren't breaking as much afaik.
Working on being smoother will end up being faster anyway probably and will be easier on the gear and your body imo.

I say that as someone who is way slower though so take it with a pinch of salt.
Hopefully you recover quickly and aren't too hampered in day to day stuff as you recover.

I agree. I knew this before this one and that was in the plan long term anyway. Just wasn’t expecting it to manifest as dramatically as this.

Already planning a bike fit and will set up the Kickr bike based on that before even considering a new road bike.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 18, 2024 7:45 am

Bad one yesterday - something thing happened uphill at 44km/hr and 720W and I’m currently in ED with 6 broken ribs and a scapula,

Bit of amnesia but suspect something on the bike broke. straight road and weird spot for it to happen.

Crikey, a day away from the forum and almost miss a page !

Bugger, hope you recover well and that lady luck is on your side from now.

Thanks!

They’re hoping for discharge tomorrow though will have to turn off the nerve block first. Currently fine with no opioids on board which is hopeful.

Crazy how the public system is really the only place for this stuff. Currently the only consistently sane person in a four bed bay though some may doubt that summation.

First solid walk in as to the lobby newsagent to pick up a cycling magazine. Haven’t even opened it yet but it seemed important in the healing process.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2024 4:04 pm

...

Crazy how the public system is really the only place for this stuff. Currently the only consistently sane person in a four bed bay though some may doubt that summation.

...

After my motorbike accident in Apr '85, I was on a 8 bed ward for some time.

Some INTERESTING people came through, but granted, none of the drug addled types. So that was good.

Well done on the walk and fingers crossed for the discharge and continued healing.

MichaelB wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 9:01 am

Some INTERESTING people came through, but granted, none of the drug addled types. So that was good.

I did come across one of person who was obviously involved with substance abuse. The hospital staff seemed to know her. I happened to hear the age of the patient which just shocked me.

She looked old but was actually way younger than me. I heard them asking her questions about her situation and what she might have taken previously - to be honest it made me feel really depressed and sad for those poor folk. Seems like the shared accommodation she was living in, the whole lot had drug issues.

Discharged within the hour. Surprisingly little pain even after the block wore off, scapula seems to be a bit stickier now too, getting some shoulder movement back.

Week or so off work and a couple of weeks off the trainer then I’ll rely on my physio to tell me what to do. No real interest in getting back on the Focus long term even if it is somehow not a write off.

I’ll be back, just as a smoother and much more careful rider. Wouldn’t be surprised if it makes me faster anyway, but that’s a long way off.

That’s in the long term though. I’m off to hug my wife, walk in the sun and generally enjoy a few days off.

Hope it goes quickly Mr P. Not fun being injured and nice when it is behind you.

Look on the bright side, NEW BIKE DAY !!!!

MichaelB wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 11:15 am

Look on the bright side, NEW BIKE DAY !!!!

Yep. Home today and checked out the bike.

Clean snap through the right seatstay which is not the side I went down on. Bars snapped, left shifter mangled and I suspect bent front fork. Looking at the rear camera footage not a car in sight, straight bit of road and just hit the ground hard to the left.

2017 Focus Izalco Max frame but installed last year from NOS. I have receipts and I'll contact their warranty department.

No hurry to replace the road bike. I have a solid and comfortable gravel bike and will work up the power on the trainer for a month or two. Next step once healed is a full bike fit with the settings applied to the Kickr Bike. I'll probably do a custom build at some stage and get everything absolutely perfect.

Not sure I'll be descending Cootha at 70+ for a while yet if this is what 48 does!

Body is surprisingly good. Probably having some spare lung capacity helps.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 1:39 pm

...

Not sure I'll be descending Cootha at 70+ for a while yet if this is what 48 does!

...

Thought you were going up ?

From what I've read about Cootha, it's a road I'd avoid given the hoon, close passes and limited road width.

I was. But if hitting the ground at 50 odd hurts this much I’d hate to think what hitting the ground at 70+ is like.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 19, 2024 4:04 pm

<snip>
Crazy how the public system is really the only place for this stuff. Currently the only consistently sane person in a four bed bay thought some may doubt that summation.

First solid walk in as to the lobby newsagent to pick up a cycling magazine. Haven’t even opened it yet but it seemed important in the healing process.

Sorry to hear of this misfortune !!!

Hospitals - not our favourite places.
Is it like most other wards that I have experienced (either as a staffer or as a patient) - freezing cold !
Oh I could tell a few stories about the various hospitals that I have worked in or been a patient in. But I won’t because probably most people with more than a few decades of life experience have experienced similar.

Hope you recover quickly !

Feeling pretty good, all opioids long worn off!

I hadn't been to PA since 2004 and don't think they've painted the walls in that time.

Having said that the stuff were excellent at doing the best with what they have, particularly the nurses. The food was utterly awful, nut probably a fault of the budget rather than the kitchen.

but for saving your life that's fine. And it didn't cost me a cent.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 3:29 pm

Feeling pretty good, all opioids long worn off!

I hadn't been to PA since 2004 and don't think they've painted the walls in that time.

Having said that the stuff were excellent at doing the best with what they have, particularly the nurses. The food was utterly awful, nut probably a fault of the budget rather than the kitchen.

but for saving your life that's fine. And it didn't cost me a cent.

That’s typical hospital food. Have to get friends to sneak in proper food! And face the wrath of the powers that be.

That’s what I did, a lunch that was hardly anything at all and breakfast that was like 10% of the portions I’d eat and the worst was the utterly lousy coffee. Urgh!!!! It was like austerity measure rations. Blame who was in power back then…

Likewise the staff looking after me were great.

Hope you are going okay at home.

Glad to hear that you are back home Mr P

g-boaf wrote: ↑

Tue Aug 20, 2024 6:39 pm

That’s typical hospital food. Have to get friends to sneak in proper food! And face the wrath of the powers that be.

That’s what I did, a lunch that was hardly anything at all and breakfast that was like 10% of the portions I’d eat and the worst was the utterly lousy coffee. Urgh!!!! It was like austerity measure rations. Blame who was in power back then…

Likewise the staff looking after me were great.

Hope you are going okay at home.

Breakfast was the worst. A small bowl of thin porridge and a tiny stale baguette with some jam. No fruit. Breakfast should be the cheapest and easiest meal of the day, I don't know how they got it so wrong!

Funniest moment was a surgical doctor mentioning a mate of his who is a top cyclist and me having to sheepishly admit I didn't know him but he'd know my name because I'd taken a bunch of KOMs off him.

At home and fine, with turning over in bed the main issue. Honestly the whole thing has been a hard reset and wake up call I'd long since seem coming, though didn't expect so dramatically. Although only a 10 hour a week rider after coming into it so late I'd become addicted to chasing speed and power rather than enjoying it. I didn't expect to be as fast as I got and was throwing extra challenges in for the rush if it. Something had to give and unfortunately it was yet another frameset followed by six ribs and a scapula.

Lesson learned. I'm taking my time to get back on the bike and sticking with indoors and gravel for the rest of the year. When it comes back to road I'm going to take my time and build something custom, fully fitted and ridiculously cool. No more Strava starred segments, no more power meters. I don't need that temptation.

Funny what three days in a public hospital ward does to your sense of perspective.

We all have our reasons for riding I guess. I got back onto bikes afer doing the bike leg for a local Emergency services triathlon. We won. Got into the local cycle club and raced, enjoying tts primarily. Club champion and fastest in the tt in my late 30s. Did a few races and pretty soon worked out there are those who are plenty faster.
Now I am living where there are National level and have been a few pro riders. Yep another level again.
I no longer race, but still enjoy riding and it is mostly alone now, not even bunches, racing is also a thing of the past.
It took me ages to work out why I like cycling still. Mental and physical health, but primarily mental health. I just feel good when I ride and gradually less so when I don't ride. Exercise and positive endorphins, my approximation of meditation? Dunno. Nothing clears the head and lifts my mood like cycling, so cycling it is.

Mr Purple wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 21, 2024 8:05 am

At home and fine, with turning over in bed the main issue. Honestly the whole thing has been a hard reset and wake up call I'd long since seem coming, though didn't expect so dramatically. Although only a 10 hour a week rider after coming into it so late I'd become addicted to chasing speed and power rather than enjoying it. I didn't expect to be as fast as I got and was throwing extra challenges in for the rush if it. Something had to give and unfortunately it was yet another frameset followed by six ribs and a scapula.

I think you can still push it, but you'll do so smoother in the future.

Finding a good coach will help you. I cannot recommend any in QLD, that's out of my area.

Yep, we all do have our reasons.

I think my very brief group race period is over. I always had a good understanding of consequences and that brief age group lead pack run in the tour de Brisbane this year inches apart at an average 43km/hr had already told me that was not for me.

I was using KOM chasing as a therapy for work stressors, and when a close friend was diagnosed with leukaemia last year that went through the roof. He's in hopefully full remission now and I knew this was unhealthy so I'd actually backed off.

The ride this happened on was a bit of an 'unfinished business' ride where I was planning on knocking off six KOMs I'd previously just missed. I'd smashed the first three to the tune of 10 seconds or more. This was the most innocuous of the lot - a quiet straight back street, short descent followed by 600-700W up a 5% gradient to the finish. And yet a handful of seconds into it I'm heading for hospital.

Do I actually enjoy chasing KOMs? Not really. I do enjoy challenging myself but there's clearly a limit and the whole thing is just so dumb in retrospect.

Looking forward to getting back out on a bike eventually. But more for those days where there's a bit of mist, the sun is peeking through the trees, and you're randomly talking to the birds as you're enjoying the climb. No point spending an entire ride on the limit if you don't remember any of the scenery when you get back.

There's always someone faster anyway! I'll probably still be pretty fast, but agree I can make it a lot smoother and enjoyable. Coach is on the cards, bike fit first.