cycling knowledge 6 things you must do after a bike fall

As long as you ride a bicycle, you will definitely encounter a fall. Falling is not scary; get up and fight again! However, today we are not here to talk about motivational stories of getting back up where you fell. Here are some practical tips on how to check your body and bike after a fall. Quickly take note of them.

When a mishap occurs, the first thing to do is ensure you haven't sustained any major injuries and can get up from the ground smoothly. Move your limbs to see if they are still functional and if you have sensation. If there are no other vehicles passing by temporarily, quickly move to a safe spot by the roadside and start checking where you got hurt.

Then check your body and bicycle in the following order:

1. Slow Down

Dr. Michael Ross has seen many people who have fallen off their bikes. They usually claim they are fine but often fall back down when trying to stand up forcefully. In such cases, it is best to stand up slowly and move around a bit. You don't need to hop back on the bike immediately; just slowly and accurately assess the extent of the injuries to your body and bike. 'Can you move around before getting back on the bike?' Dr. Ross said. 'Can you rotate your hand 360 degrees? Does it hurt when you move your neck in all directions?' Take some time to evaluate, as this will determine whether you can continue riding or need to stop and seek help.

2. Basic First Aid Measures

　　

Checking your body first is the prerequisite for all subsequent actions. For example, move your hands and feet to see if your limbs are still attached and if any bones have pierced the skin, causing severe bleeding. If you find that you are seriously injured, don't risk moving alone; seek help to get to the nearest medical point. (This also serves as a reminder that while solo rides may be cool, your life is more valuable. For safety, ride with a companion if possible.) Ross also mentioned that if you can stand up and lift your bike after checking your body, it indicates that you don't have major external injuries. If you can walk and step out of the woods, 'it means all your joints can still move and bear weight,' Ross added.

3. Check for Concussion

Checking your helmet for significant damage is a simple and direct way to determine if your head has sustained a serious injury. Ross said, 'If you can remember this rule after a fall, it means you haven't been knocked out.' If you have a concussion, you will feel disoriented and confused. If you don't know where you are, it means you are likely concussed. 'When you ride for a long time, your brain produces endorphins that make you feel good, but that may not reflect your true condition. You need to stop and carefully assess if you are really okay,' Ross added.

4. Check the Wheels

Once you are sure you don't have any major scrapes or bruises, you can start checking your bike. Scott Kelly, with his extensive experience at Scott-3Rox Racing, has summarized some key steps.

When someone brings a crashed bike to Kelly, he first checks the wheels. The wheels are the first and most directly impacted part during a fall and are the easiest to diagnose for issues. Regardless of how you fell, Kelly recommends first checking the tire pressure, looking for any punctures, broken spokes, and then checking the brakes for any problems. These checks can be repeated several times.

5. Check Other Components

The brakes and gears are the second areas to check. Usually, if these components are misaligned from the fall, they can be forcefully adjusted back to their original positions. However, you need to ensure they are as tight as before, so they don't shift again while riding. Also, check the chain to see if it has fallen between the chainring and the bottom bracket or if it is broken. Finally, check the saddle to ensure it is still securely attached to the seat post.

6. Check the Frame

Lastly, Kelly checks the frame for cracks or paint scratches. This is especially important for carbon fiber frames because a small crack can expand into a large one if you continue riding. Aluminum or steel frames are not as susceptible to such severe damage as carbon frames.

(Article excerpted from Cycling Circle. If there is any infringement, please inform us for deletion.)