Calfee saved my life!: Bikefanclub.com

I am posting this, for what it is worth, to remind everyone to ride safely. I just crashed my (just received in January) Dragonfly! (It has been the best bike I have ever ridden...sweet ride!)

I was coming downhill after a climb...in a remote part of town...and, missed seeing a car coming from the right. Reality was, I was planning on running the stop sign...since this was a remote area that I ride a lot. Unfortunately, couldn't stop in time. Nailed the left front fender of the guys car...threw me over...bounced on the hood...went airborne and landed on the asphalt on my back. Miraculously, ended up banged up a little, but, with relatively hardly a scratch...THEN, you check out the bike! The carbon wheel probably saved my life. It collapsed...but, took most of the impact. At first it looked like it was the only damage...but, the compression of the impact "shattered" the seat tube. Sad day!

So often we forget and think we're invincible! I am lucky to be alive. I am not sure a steel bike would of protected me as well. My LBS told me that in a similar situation when you KNOW you are going to hit...hit it straight on...the wheels are extremely strong perpendicularly...if you try and turn the wheel away...you lose that protection.

The only reason I write this is to say...slow down...don't blow through stop signs...and, ride for a long time!!! I WAS LUCKY!

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