Gravel

[Sensha]

Two of us rode Hwy 1 from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay. The weather was clear, the roads dry and visibility was perfect. As we were leaving to head back to the city I attempted a U-Turn.

All of the sudden I was face down in gravel with the bike on my left leg. Long story short, I have graduated to a walking boot from a 5-week cast having broken my 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals.

The other rider saw the turn and said I had too much angle on the front tire and too much front break. Although it happened so fast, I think I was leaning too far over and the bike slipped out from underneath me.

This is the 2nd low speed injury I've had and while I understand that every time you ride it's practice - I am wondering what other low speed maneuvers and terrain should be approached with caution.

 

[xgambit]

making a uturn on gravel isnt a big deal at all. what you want to avoid is using the front brake while your performing your uturn (at least until you get really good at modulating your front brake). use the rear brake instead to control your speed so you avoid any chance of locking up the front tire.

 

[sanjuro]

Two of us rode Hwy 1 from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay. The weather was clear, the roads dry and visibility was perfect. As we were leaving to head back to the city I attempted a U-Turn.

All of the sudden I was face down in gravel with the bike on my left leg. Long story short, I have graduated to a walking boot from a 5-week cast having broken my 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals.

The other rider saw the turn and said I had too much angle on the front tire and too much front break. Although it happened so fast, I think I was leaning too far over and the bike slipped out from underneath me.

This is the 2nd low speed injury I've had and while I understand that every time you ride it's practice - I am wondering what other low speed maneuvers and terrain should be approached with caution.

First of all, you have the same attitude about every maneuver, which is a fair bit of caution but also confidence that you will execute it correctly.

For beginner riders, what can be a problem is panic, that you will be unable to execute even simple maneuvers, like a slow-speed u-turn.

The steps for an u-turn are fairly straightforward: body weight upright, shoulders square, slight turn of throttle, engaged clutch, foot on the rear brake, and then turn handlebars to the steering limit.

But I know it is much harder to execute when you are worried you might fall, which is why you grabbed the front brake.

Obviously more practice is necessary, but riding is not practice, particularly for slow speed stuff. If I go to Half Moon Bay, of the 3 hours I am on the bike, I might be traveling under 10mph for 5 minutes total.

You have to go to the parking lot alone and practice slow speed turns. Maybe take someone more skilled the first time, but then you work alone to do it well.

 

[ThumperX]

It's been my experience front brake and low speed maneuvering is a bad combo.
A suggestion for the next ride, begin by doing some basic slow speed parking lot practice.
Fifteen minutes spent this way should give you the confidence and ability to pull off a U turn in the middle of the ride.

 

[just physics]

OP, shoot a message to Hitman5532. He is a really good riding coach and can put you in the right direction. I suffered with a similar issue when I started and when I did a class day with him I discovered many other newbie errors I didn't even know I was making.

BTW in regards to your note about practice. I'll add to it that only GOOD practice helps, practicing bad habits only makes it harder to do anything better; make sure your practice is the correct practice.

 

[Ironbutt]

Sorry to hear about your foot.. I broke the same thing walking through the house while drinking a beer, it's not hard to do!

Back on topic- Here is a suggestion for throttle control.

If you have your bike around go over to it and put your hand on the throttle; pratice holding the throttle open and going from the throttle to the brake while rolling off the throttle but never really letting go of the throttle.. just ease on the front brake while still holding the throttle..

Seems silly but this is a valuable motor skill to get down pat.

I attempted a U-Turn.

All of the sudden I was face down in gravel with the bike on my left leg. Long story short, I have graduated to a walking boot from a 5-week cast having broken my 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals.

 

[Snapping Twig]

For tight turns in gravel, or just tight turns at low speed in general, two things to remember.

1.) Keep it vertical, I call that 'yaw' after the sailing definition for that maneuver. Zero lean to the inside of the turn. Useful for low speed turns when things are slippery too (less lean and more vertical).

2.) Less is more with the steering input. When you crank it hard over, the bike tends to fall into the direction of the turn. Turn just enough to get the job done and be willing to put your feet down as needed until you get the hang of it. No shame in learning.

IMO, stay off the brakes entirely. If you must brake, have your feet down in advance and keep it vertical.

 

[Dr. Evil]

IMO, stay off the brakes entirely. If you must brake, have your feet down in advance and keep it vertical.

Bad advice. Judicious use of the rear brake in low-speed maneuvers stabilises the bike and tends to pull it upright.

Also, keep applying power. When you apply power, the bike wants to stand up. At low speed, you do this by modulating the clutch. Watch what cops do, and listen to their bikes as the maneuver.

 

[ThumperX]

Bad advice. Judicious use of the rear brake in low-speed maneuvers stabilises the bike and tends to pull it upright.

Also, keep applying power. When you apply power, the bike wants to stand up. At low speed, you do this by modulating the clutch. Watch what cops do, and listen to their bikes as the maneuver.

Gravel changes everything.
Brake applied in gravel often result in locked up wheel so a pulsating application at best.

 

[Dr. Evil]

I have found it to be a matter of degrees. In turns on gravel, yes, use of the front brake will likely not end well, but gentle and smooth use of the rear brake need not be a problem. When not in turns, the front brake is totally useable, but again, the key words are "gentle" and "smooth."

But I have a fair amount of dirt experience, so gravel doesn't really bother me.

 

[rodr]

All of the sudden I was face down in gravel with the bike on my left leg. Long story short, I have graduated to a walking boot from a 5-week cast having broken my 2nd, 3rd and 4th metatarsals.

The other rider saw the turn and said I had too much angle on the front tire and too much front break. Although it happened so fast, I think I was leaning too far over and the bike slipped out from underneath me.

Three things I'll address here.

First, with proper boots a low speed fall should not result in a broken foot. Definitely take a good look at your riding boots and get something with better protection. Re-evaluate your other gear too. Also a set of crash bars may give you some leg protection in these situations, in addition to their primary function of protecting the bike.

Second, front brake should not be used at all in a low speed turn, especially on gravel. If you were doing that it's surely the main reason for the accident. Use counter-balancing for slow sharp turns.

Third, get the Ride Like a Pro DVD and some more professional training. It's important to identify and correct any bad habits. Good luck!

 

[Dr. Evil]

First, with proper boots a low speed fall should not result in a broken foot. Definitely take a good look at your riding boots and get something with better protection. Re-evaluate your other gear too.

This. All of this.

My brother T-boned me right in the leg going ten mph a few years ago, and because I was wearing proper boots, fuckall happened, aside from me falling over.

 

[Sensha]

First, with proper boots a low speed fall should not result in a broken foot. Definitely take a good look at your riding boots and get something with better protection. Re-evaluate your other gear too. Also a set of crash bars may give you some leg protection in these situations, in addition to their primary function of protecting the bike.

I could not agree more with your suggestions! My engineer boots are POS and I was wearing the same pair during two fracture related bikescaspades. I need to get ahold of a good patient teacher and some more solid gear.