Alan W Dolbeer
Active Member
Finally got a chance to do a group ride on the V20. There was a fast and slow group going for the advertised 62 mile N. GA. rolling route out of Rome. Since work typically only allows me to ride around once a week , my conditioning is never very high and I have never been out with the "A" group on this ride. A very fit couple that I know well came with their tandem and indicated their intentions to go with the "A" group. So I elected to go with them and hope for the best.
My fears of not keeping up were unfounded while riding the V20. I found no need to draft generally and even went off the front on a few sections. Not knowing the route, I would always back off if required to rejoin the group. The route ended with 56 miles and an 18.75mph avg. I think it was shorted due to the heat. I've attached a few pre ride pics from the ride start.
The bad news is, I crashed hard during the ride. I had let the front group go on a climb, then was gaining hard on the twisty, undulating down hill following. While riding hard in top gear, I passed from bright sunlight into a shaded turn and did not see the large band of sand and gravel left over from recent heavy rains. The wheels began to slip but for an instant I thought they might regain traction..., then the bike went down hard on the right side. Speed was at least 30mph. My friend on the tandem had called out a warning but I did not understand with the wind and their distance from me.
Lost a lot of skin on right arm, hip, and glute but no broken bones and the V20 was still ride able. I actually felt fortunate not to have been riding a DF at the time as then my fall would have been from twice the height of the V20. I went on to complete the ride with my friends on the tandem, skipping the water stop which put us as the first riders back in. Had to seek medical attention for the first time ever and am now nursing my wounds.
Looking forward to getting back on the V20 after a thorough inspection and I feel ready to ride again.
My fears of not keeping up were unfounded while riding the V20. I found no need to draft generally and even went off the front on a few sections. Not knowing the route, I would always back off if required to rejoin the group. The route ended with 56 miles and an 18.75mph avg. I think it was shorted due to the heat. I've attached a few pre ride pics from the ride start.
The bad news is, I crashed hard during the ride. I had let the front group go on a climb, then was gaining hard on the twisty, undulating down hill following. While riding hard in top gear, I passed from bright sunlight into a shaded turn and did not see the large band of sand and gravel left over from recent heavy rains. The wheels began to slip but for an instant I thought they might regain traction..., then the bike went down hard on the right side. Speed was at least 30mph. My friend on the tandem had called out a warning but I did not understand with the wind and their distance from me.
Lost a lot of skin on right arm, hip, and glute but no broken bones and the V20 was still ride able. I actually felt fortunate not to have been riding a DF at the time as then my fall would have been from twice the height of the V20. I went on to complete the ride with my friends on the tandem, skipping the water stop which put us as the first riders back in. Had to seek medical attention for the first time ever and am now nursing my wounds.
Looking forward to getting back on the V20 after a thorough inspection and I feel ready to ride again.
