I'm writing this with my one good hand...

Ghost Rider

Was knocked off my bike this morning by some door-opening, non-checking-first dunderhead. I ended up having to go to a GP and then to the Mater to get my finger x-rayed. Luckily there's no fracture but my finger is bruised, quite swollen and pretty much immobile.

Thing is, out of the four times I've come off the bike, I've fractured or badly bruised a finger three of those times. |(I think it's because my fingers have gotten crushed between the brake levers and the road.) So my question is this: would gel padded gloves make any difference to the likelihood of injury if I fall again?

(BTW, FYI: it takes ages to type stuff with only one hand...)

DITTKD

Nah, they'd only stop cuts or getting your hand skint if you fall, and they prevent blisters while you ride. They're actually very handy (ho ho ho), you feel like you've got a much better grip of the bike, so I'd recommend them regardless.

But it's gel, not chainmail like. Though, you can buy chainmail gloves from any butchers supplier.

I would suspect that there's something about the way you have your hands on the handlebars that's causing you to injure the same hand repeatedly, but I'm sure you've thought of that yourself.

geth vell suun.

Ghost Rider

Cheers. Yeah, I use gel gloves on me racer for preventing numbness and such. I just wondered if there was any sense in using them commuting too.

Can't imagine what could be wrong with my grip on the handlebars, by the way. Any ideas?

DITTKD wrote: »

Nah, they'd only stop cuts or getting your hand skint if you fall, and they prevent blisters while you ride. They're actually very handy (ho ho ho), you feel like you've got a much better grip of the bike, so I'd recommend them regardless.

But it's gel, not chainmail like. Though, you can buy chainmail gloves from any butchers supplier.

I would suspect that there's something about the way you have your hands on the handlebars that's causing you to injure the same hand repeatedly, but I'm sure you've thought of that yourself.

geth vell suun.

unionman

Sorry to hear about the fall Ghost Rider. Speedy recovery to you. And death by a thousand rebounding doors to your assailant.

Ghost Rider

Appreciate the medieval sentiment!

unionman wrote: »

Sorry to hear about the fall Ghost Rider. Speedy recovery to you. And death by a thousand rebounding doors to your assailant.

rubadub

Sorry to hear that. I think they would offer more protection than just cuts and "topical" damage. Any barrier between skin and objects will help. Depending on the thickness it will absorb some of the shock, and can disperse the impace force- i.e. it spreads the force over a wider area, like the difference between a man standing on your hand in boots, and a woman in stilletoes.

I use gloves in my work and am sure it has prevented bruise type injuries. I also wear full finger gloves lifting weights, when shifting around weights they sometimes knock together, I have had bruises when ungloved, never when gloved.

pete4130

Thats sucks about being knocked off the bike. Fingers take a good while to heal too. I've wrecked them a good few times riding BMX. Unexpected door openers are possibly the most dreaded thing on the bike, right up there with people popping out from in front of stationary buses, cars not indicating to turn left....but thats way off topic.
As for gloves, I find that when I ride gel gloves that my thumbs start to spasm or cramp up a little, so I don't bother wearing them.

Ghost Rider

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, if not quite in those terms...

rubadub wrote: »

Depending on the thickness it will absorb some of the shock, and can disperse the impace force- i.e. it spreads the force over a wider area, like the difference between a man standing on your hand in boots, and a woman in stilletoes.

blorg

As rubadub says, I think they would provide an element of protection. I've come off the bike quite dramatically while gloved and I'm pretty sure my hands would have suffered more damage ungloved.

Brings home the point that you just have to stay far enough out of the door zone so that this can't happen. Often this means not using a mandatory cycle lane immediately adjacent to parked cars!

Raam

blorg wrote: »

Brings home the point that you just have to stay far enough out of the door zone so that this can't happen.

..and then getting beeped by kn0bheads who say you are "out too far".

Driver: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD?
Me: Avoiding the car that's pulling out in front of me, now **** off.

beans

right up there with people popping out from in front of stationary buses...

Can't decide which is worse... you can't kill a door, but then a person is less likely to puncture your lung...

niceonetom

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Was knocked off my bike this morning by some door-opening, non-checking-first dunderhead. I ended up having to go to a GP and then to the Mater to get my finger x-rayed. Luckily there's no fracture but my finger is bruised, quite swollen and pretty much immobile.

Thing is, out of the four times I've come off the bike, I've fractured or badly bruised a finger three of those times. |(I think it's because my fingers have gotten crushed between the brake levers and the road.) So my question is this: would gel padded gloves make any difference to the likelihood of injury if I fall again?

(BTW, FYI: it takes ages to type stuff with only one hand...)

commiserations on the digit.
what about these?
possibly in combination with this? tis a bloody jungle out there.

Ghost Rider

Holy crud. If they cycled bikes in "Battlestar Galactica", I bet they'd have those jackets.

niceonetom wrote: »

commiserations on the digit.
what about these?
possibly in combination with this? tis a bloody jungle out there.

Ghost Rider

I'm pretty careful about leaving space for car doors. This happened on Capel Street, where there is in fact no space to leave.

blorg wrote: »

Brings home the point that you just have to stay far enough out of the door zone so that this can't happen. Often this means not using a mandatory cycle lane immediately adjacent to parked cars!

Membrane

Sorry to hear about your accident, hope you heal soon (and that the bike is ok).

The gel in cycling gloves is typically only placed in the palm area to protect the [forgot the name] nerve that can take a battering from shocks through the bars. I'd say that in a fall gloves provide some protection against skin abbrasion damage, but not much else.

In my off in January I was wearing full winter gloves, not much damage to my skin (gloves were a write off) but I did damage 2 joints, one of them still hasn't returned to full functionality. No broken bones, I think that the damage was done by twisting the joint. Gloves aren't going to protect against that sort of thing.

Ghost Rider

Cheers. My guess is that anything that absorbs shock should help somewhat, so padded gloves might not prevent injury but they might minimise the severity of it.

Membrane wrote: »

Sorry to hear about your accident, hope you heal soon (and that the bike is ok).

The gel in cycling gloves is typically only placed in the palm area to protect the [forgot the name] nerve that can take a battering from shocks through the bars. I'd say that in a fall gloves provide some protection against skin abbrasion damage, but not much else. In my off in January I was wearing full winter gloves, not much damage to my skin (gloves were a write off) but I did damage 2 joints, one of them still hasn't returned to full mobility. No broken bones, I think that the damage was done by twisting the joint. Gloves aren't going to protect against that sort of thing.

niceonetom

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360017181&n=Specialized%20Specialized%20BG%20Fortress%20Long%20Finger%20Gloves ?

Ghost Rider

Could be useful. Reckon I'll put them on the long finger for a while, though...

niceonetom wrote: »

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?Cat=cycle&ProdID=5360017181&n=Specialized%20Specialized%20BG%20Fortress%20Long%20Finger%20Gloves ?

niceonetom

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Could be useful. Reckon I'll put them on the long finger for a while, though...

boom boom.

Ghost Rider

I blame the Difene.

niceonetom wrote: »

boom boom.

flickerx

Ghost Rider wrote: »

then to the Mater to get my finger x-rayed.

dont go there if you got an injury again, go to jcm blanch, so much nicer and less waiting times, lucky you you got nothing broken, my thumb is still nowhere near healing, although it doesnt look like i have to get the steel pin put in now.

(BTW, FYI: it takes ages to type stuff with only one hand...)

had a long discussion about using your left hand for various activities with a bunch of drunken male friends in the pub last weekend. much hilarity.

(sigh) still another ~4 weeks to go before i can get back on a bike again.

blorg

King Raam wrote: »

..and then getting beeped by kn0bheads who say you are "out too far".

Ha, as a careful avoider of the door-zone myself (I too have been doored in the past) I am well aware that some may beep you, although it's not _that_ common. Just have to develop a hard skin and ignore it.

What Membrane says makes sense- gloves can provide mostly skin/bruising protection, wouldn't expect protection against twisting etc.

fish-head

I hope you ****ed their door up good and proper anyway.

Sean02

Sorry to hear of your mishap. don't know about gel gloves particuarly for City cycling. When its cold I prefer lighter nylon gloves, much quicker and comfortable to use brakes and gears. you were so lucky this type of bike accident has unthinkable potential consequences for the cyclist.

NewDubliner

When the DTO published its design guidelines back in 1996, they included that there should be a safety margin between parked cars and adjacent cycle tracks.

The councils generally ignored that guideline.

As a rule, I treat any cycle track running beside a line of parked cars as being the necessary safety margin to avoid being 'doored'.

SerialComplaint

So what happened with the offending driver? Is he paying up? Are you reporting him to the guards?

DavyD_83

DITTKD wrote: »

But it's gel, not chainmail like. Though, you can buy chainmail gloves from any butchers supplier.

I reckon chainmail is the way forward alright, you should get yourself one of these badboys as well.:p

http://www.cfswords.com/medievaltimesjoustinglance.html

DITTKD

DavyD_83 wrote: »

I reckon chainmail is the way forward alright, you should get yourself one of these badboys as well.:p

http://www.cfswords.com/medievaltimesjoustinglance.html

I'll send an email to the DIT Larping Society, they might know where we can get some quality medieval personal protective equipment.

Ghost Rider

It was actually the passenger who opened the door. Anyway, both he and the driver promptly jumped out and apologised profusely. The driver gave me his insurance details and so on, although when I asked him to hang around until the Gardai showed up, he said he couldn't stay.

I reported it at the Bridewell anyway and made a statement (the next day, as there were no interview rooms available). As soon as I find out the driver's address, I'll be contacting him about covering the cost of the GP consultation. If he refuses (which I doubt he will) then I can use the statement I made to the Gardai to claim against his insurance.

After going to the Bridewell Garda station to report the accident, I went to A&E in the Mater. I was struck by the similarity between the two places: clear evidence of under-funding and over-crowding.

SerialComplaint wrote: »

So what happened with the offending driver? Is he paying up? Are you reporting him to the guards?

DITTKD

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Can't imagine what could be wrong with my grip on the handlebars, by the way. Any ideas?

When you asked this, I didn’t really know how to respond, but I had some sort of a vague notion about how people fall and roll and stuff.

Then, lo and behold this thread appeared:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055178027

Dunno if it’s any use to you, but it illustrates what I was thinking.

Ghost Rider

Interesting...

(By the way, I nearly didn't recognise you there in your martial arts gear.)

DITTKD wrote: »

When you asked this, I didn’t really know how to respond, but I had some sort of a vague notion about how people fall and roll and stuff.

Then, lo and behold this thread appeared:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055178027

Dunno if it’s any use to you, but it illustrates what I was thinking.

unionman

DITTKD wrote: »

When you asked this, I didn’t really know how to respond, but I had some sort of a vague notion about how people fall and roll and stuff.

Then, lo and behold this thread appeared:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055178027

Dunno if it’s any use to you, but it illustrates what I was thinking.

Brilliant story, but I don't see myself devoting hours of practice to the ancient art of 'ukemi'. Fair play to him, it sounded pretty dramatic.

Hows the hand GR?

doozerie

As already mentioned, gloves typically won't save your fingers/hands if you fall, other than to minimise loss of skin. Having said that, the downhill gloves linked to above would probably help. Another glove that might help is the Pearl Izumi Lobster (http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&product_id=527528). I haven't used them myself, but they are supposed to be very thick, and the fact that they bunch/pair your fingers together should help avoid any individual finger being snapped. They are probably too hot to wear in anything other than fairly cold weather though, so they are not a year-round option.

There are various approaches to avoiding serious injury during a fall generally. One of those that I have most faith in is to let go of the bars and use your arms to save your body (it seems to be an instinctive that people find themselves trying to save their bike, which can sometimes leave their body taking all of the punishment). Hitting the ground with your hands on the handlebars leaves your body in a position which can leave people prone to the dreaded broken collarbone (if you hit the road along your side/shoulder), amongst other things. So, basically, forget the bike if you can as you fall by just letting go of it (although you need to keep track of the bars, in so far as this is possible in that situation, so that you don't skewer yourself with them - if it is a mountain bike, then bar ends are a very useful add-on and actually can make the bike safer for you in a fall too).

blorg

I have Cannondale "3 Season Plus" gloves which have a lobster over-covering type of thing without being overly warm. Haven't crashed with them yet to test that theory.

The dreaded broken collar-bone... ah, brings back college memories. Despite letting go of the handlebars entirely I managed this one- rapid separation from bike was effected through shoulder contact with lamp-post while looking over the other shoulder ;-)

Ghost Rider

Not too bad. The swelling has gone down a lot (due to a combination of ice, Nurofen Plus and Arnica) but I still haven't regained full mobility of the index finger. It's improving, though.

When I fell, I landed on my hip but, weirdly, the bruising didn't come up until two days later. Now it looks like I'm wearing half a pair of purple paisley cycling shorts.

unionman wrote: »

Hows the hand GR?

rp

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Now it looks like I'm wearing half a pair of purple paisley cycling shorts.

TFI Friday: I read that as "I'm wearing ... Paisley's cycling shorts"

Ghost Rider

I wish!

rp wrote: »

TFI Friday: I read that as "I'm wearing ... Paisley's cycling shorts"

flickerx

Ghost Rider wrote: »

When I fell, I landed on my hip but, weirdly, the bruising didn't come up until two days later. Now it looks like I'm wearing half a pair of purple paisley cycling shorts.

Same here actually, my leg bruising didnt come up for a few days. Then all of a sudden there was purple colouring everywhere. Nasty business. Looked like I'd been tenderised.

Ghost Rider

Actually, if anyone can offer advice, I'd be most grateful...

Normally I go for four three-mile runs every week. However, since my spill I've avoided running for the past week. Now I'm aching to get back into it. I'd also like to go for a short-ish spin on the bike this weekend - maybe 30 miles or so.

Does anyone know what the general consensus is re getting active again after sustaining bruises to the hip? Nothing was broken or fractured but it's still a bit stiff and, of course, that nice shade of purple.

Raam

It's probably best to wait a bit. Make sure you give your body a chance to heal itself. I didn't get on a bike for about 2 months after I got knocked down (about a year ago at this stage). That was partly due to waiting for repairs and holidays, but it made sure that I was fully re-cooperated.

Chances are you are OK, after all the pro guys take big spills all the time and get on with it. Obviously their circumstances are different as it is their job and they have dedicated doctors to look after them.

If it was me, I'd lay off for a short period.

unionman

King Raam wrote: »

It's probably best to wait a bit. Make sure you give your body a chance to heal itself. I didn't get on a bike for about 2 months after I got knocked down (about a year ago at this stage). That was partly due to waiting for repairs and holidays, but it made sure that I was fully re-cooperated.

Chances are you are OK, after all the pro guys take big spills all the time and get on with it. Obviously their circumstances are different as it is their job and they have dedicated doctors to look after them.

If it was me, I'd lay off for a short period.

Good advice, I'd say the same.

Ghost Rider

Thanks. Good advice, even though I hate hearing it. (Any chance you could edit the post...?)

Anyway, I decided to book a consultation with a physio for tomorrow morning in the end. I can always get the driver of the car to pay for it.

King Raam wrote: »

It's probably best to wait a bit. Make sure you give your body a chance to heal itself. I didn't get on a bike for about 2 months after I got knocked down (about a year ago at this stage). That was partly due to waiting for repairs and holidays, but it made sure that I was fully re-cooperated.

Chances are you are OK, after all the pro guys take big spills all the time and get on with it. Obviously their circumstances are different as it is their job and they have dedicated doctors to look after them.

If it was me, I'd lay off for a short period.

doozerie

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Does anyone know what the general consensus is re getting active again after sustaining bruises to the hip? Nothing was broken or fractured but it's still a bit stiff and, of course, that nice shade of purple.

How to deal with bruising is a very contentious topic. There is one camp that advocates rubbing out bruises to break down the "clotting" blood and allowing it to disperse in your bloodstream, there is another camp that advocates a less aggressive approach by encouraging bloodflow through the affected area and possibly with some light massage around the bruise but not within it (and there are probably various other camps on the topic too). They are two routes to the same goal of minimising scarring of the tissue.

Personally I fall into the latter camp, so if I was convinced a bruised area was not seriously injured (no serious muscle tears, no damaged bones, etc.) then I would try to keep it mobile by doing light exercise (which might exclude impact exercise such as jogging, depending on the severity and location of the bruise). Determining whether an injury is serious though can be difficult, and if I really wasn't sure then I'd go get professional advice from a physio (as I see you are doing) or possibly an acupuncturist.

Ghost Rider

Thanks - that's very interesting. Are you a physio yourself?

doozerie wrote: »

How to deal with bruising is a very contentious topic. There is one camp that advocates rubbing out bruises to break down the "clotting" blood and allowing it to disperse in your bloodstream, there is another camp that advocates a less aggressive approach by encouraging bloodflow through the affected area and possibly with some light massage around the bruise but not within it (and there are probably various other camps on the topic too). They are two routes to the same goal of minimising scarring of the tissue.

Personally I fall into the latter camp, so if I was convinced a bruised area was not seriously injured (no serious muscle tears, no damaged bones, etc.) then I would try to keep it mobile by doing light exercise (which might exclude impact exercise such as jogging, depending on the severity and location of the bruise). Determining whether an injury is serious though can be difficult, and if I really wasn't sure then I'd go get professional advice from a physio (as I see you are doing) or possibly an acupuncturist.

rp

doozerie wrote: »

They are two routes to the same goal of minimising scarring of the tissue.

Then there is the third camp, the 'GAA Mentors' camp who tried to make me run off a broken ankle. Ah, run it off, you'll be grand...

Ghost Rider

That sounds more like the "death camp".

rp wrote: »

Then there is the third camp, the 'GAA Mentors' camp who tried to make me run off a broken ankle. Ah, run it off, you'll be grand...

doozerie

Ghost Rider wrote: »

Thanks - that's very interesting. Are you a physio yourself?

No, I'm not a physio, but I have had some very interesting conversations with people that have treated various ailments of mine over the years (physio's, osteopaths, acupuncturists, and chiropractors). It's great when you get people who are happy to discuss with you what they are doing and why they are treating you in a particular way - it has certainly been an education for me.