Comments on: Crash Etiquette for Complete Idiots

By: Report: 2010 Philly Livestrong Challenge – Team Fatty | shevdog`s Xlog

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:07:52 +0000

[...] Unfortunately there was a crash somewhere near the halfway mark of the 70 mile course, where this older gentleman took a turn too wide and landed in a ditch. At that point I implemented Fatty’s wisdom from his post “Crash Etiquette for Complete Idiots“. [...]

By: tyson

tyson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:41:02 +0000

And if a cop pulls up after the crash. It is always the fault of the motor vehicle

By: BellaCroix

BellaCroix — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:26:22 +0000

5B: When determining the cause of the crash always remember it is NOT the fault of the rider (unless said rider decides to take the blame himself). Assuming the crasher has not taken the blame you should always find something else to blame – no matter how inplausible.

This can be anything from noticing an imaginary wobble in the wheel that can no longer be replicated (“Musta fixed itself in the crash, might want to check that out when we get back home.”) to a tree root than can longer be found (“I saw that root go flying somewhere in that grass, you were flying!”).

Aliens are not out of possible blame but, generally, should be avoided.

By: ChuckH

ChuckH — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:16:00 +0000

I watched a pack riding slickrock years ago and a kid crashed and his bike went down a small cliff. He was bleeding when we got to him and had some face problems. All his friends went straight to the bike to see if it was okay. They seemed much more worried about the new bike rather than their friend screaming, “I broke my face!”

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:09:08 +0000

It is unfortunate that it is difficult to punch people in the 5 minutes after you have broken your collar bone.

By: Angela

Angela — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:21:50 +0000

You are hilarious! Best wishes to you and the Runner! I think she’s a lucky girl!

By: lglegl

lglegl — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:47:26 +0000

I have to have my husband read this one. Case and point: When I was new to mountain biking, we went with friends to ride some trails. The ending was a long downhill on double track, so you could get significant speed. Hubby was ahead, with another person; I was following behind. I was flying along when my front wheel dropped into a hidden rut, twisting the wheel sideways and jerking the bars out of my hands. I hit the ground extremely hard and everyone slammed on their brakes because they heard me hit. I’m laying there, cannot stand up, when I hear my husband yell: THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I DID NOT WANT HER TO MOUNTAIN BIKE!! THIS IS THE EXACT REASON!! Is he rushing to help or check on me? No. Friend: “Um, don’t you think you should find out if she’s ok?” Husband: “Oh, yeah.”, as he dismounts. Nice. Maybe he is related to Brad?

By: MattC

MattC — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Smithers…thanks for the link and your comment. I surely can’t answer for Fatty, but after watching the vid a few times, I can’t help but think that you gave the initial proper response. But then (after hearing him repeatedly shouting the ‘F’ word), It think that a good laugh is called for. He is obviously ok..at least OK enough to keep yelling the ‘F’ word…and being within crawling distance of the finish, makes it all the more hilarious. But I have been told that I lack scruples…so this is just my thoughts, which is worth exactly what you paid for it (zero).

By: Smithers

Smithers — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:18:12 +0000

Hey Fatty,

I have to admit…you are a little blog-intimidating (you know, funny…handsome…an all around great writer), so I have never commented before. However, I have a burning question that must be answered. What is proper etiquette when one crashes 10 feet from the finish line in a practice crit after he runs into the ONLY other cyclist with a 12 foot radius? And even more important…if you are “that guy,” what is the proper reaction to said crash?

Here is the video from the crit I watched last weekend (so that you can fully analyze the situation): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiXXqrLMzls

I am the one filming…and I went with the sympathetic “ooooohhhhh,” but after reading your post…I am doubting my reaction. Should I have done more? Should I have laughed? Does the fact that the guy was yelling the F word (repeatedly) change the proper response?

These are burning questions that can only be answered by the Great Fatty.

Thanks,
Smithers

By: Chey

Chey — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:34:47 +0000

I would love to see pictures of most priceless falls in “style”… Or those too proud to admit their face is full of dirt… I think chewing dirt is an honorable fashion!