Exploding Unicycle

General
1

Of Exploding Unicycles and Men, by David Stone

On my ride home up Flatbush Avenue two Fridays past, I heard and felt my
tire explode. Since this happened to my 29” unicycle, the explosion was
particularly loud. When a tire explodes you first feel yourself shrink a
couple inches and then you decelerate really really quickly (this has
happened to me before). And since I was going top speed (probably about 15
mph), I didn’t have a chance to land standing. I didn’t see my life flash
before my eyes, but I did think, “Uh-oh, I guess I won’t have a chance to
land standing, so I guess I’ll be rolling this one out. I hope I don’t
tear my pants.”

As soon as I hit the ground in my tuck position, I heard someone scream,
“Omygod!” She apparently thought I’d been shot, and afterwards, while I
was cel-phoning my wife, people told me that they thought I’d been killed.
In fact, I’d only sustained four minor or middling injuries: a bruised
left hand, a sore left wrist, a scraped outer elbow (from sliding in my
tucked position), and a tiny scrape on my left knee. Even my pride was
unharmed, since the accident wasn’t my fault. And I’ve been riding too
long (and messing up in public too much) to feel embarrassed about falling
after a tire explosion.

I later learned that this particular tire was recalled by Nanoraptor
because it was prone to rips in the outer rim, confirming what I’d heard
from the man at the bike store. Apparently the inner-tube had gotten
pinched by the rim and the tire, and when I turned slightly while going up
a tiny ramp, it popped.

Two weeks later my left wrist is the only injury that still hurts, but
it’s getting better. I’ve had to ride my Coker to work, but that’s turned
out to be rather enjoyable because the ride is faster. And I installed
longer cranks, and they make sidewalk riding much safer (for the
pedestrians).

I should add that I wasn’t eating sushi at the time of the explosion, or
talking on my cel phone, or even riding against traffic. Sometimes bad
things happen to safe riders.

David Stone

2

Re: Exploding Unicycle

The question that has to be asked is… would it have still happened if you had been?

My 29er tyre exploded the other day, but while being pumped up rather than ridden on. Having it happen while riding sounds like brown trousers time… :-/

Phil

3

That reminds me of when someone opened a car door on me while riding my 10 speed.

  1. My front tire hit the inside door panel.
  2. I flew over the top of the door.
  3. I did an unintentional forward flip.
  4. Landed it sitting on the asphalt hands under my butt.

During #2, I heard a loud “gasp” from a croud of 30 or so theater goers on the sidewalk where the car was parked illegally dropping off someone. Everything was ‘slowmo’.

I had 5 people backing me up, when the owner of the car started yelling about damage to his car.

My front wheel needed replacement, and I needed a pitcher of beer. :smiley:

I commend you on your ‘instinctual’ reflex during your incident.

:thumbsup

4

Re: Exploding Unicycle

“Amos Weinberg” <amos@aweinberg.com> writes:
>People must have thought you’re the Uni-bomber

That’s really funny. I wish I’d titled the piece “The Uni-bomber.” Thanks,
Amos!

5

Re: Exploding Unicycle

People must have thought you’re the Uni-bomber
----- Original Message -----
From: “David Stone” <dstone@packer.edu>
To: <rsu@unicycling.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 4:19 PM
Subject: Exploding Unicycle

> Of Exploding Unicycles and Men, by David Stone
>
> On my ride home up Flatbush Avenue two Fridays past, I heard and felt my
> tire explode. Since this happened to my 29" unicycle, the explosion was
> particularly loud. When a tire explodes you first feel yourself shrink a
> couple inches and then you decelerate really really quickly (this has
> happened to me before). And since I was going top speed (probably about 15
> mph), I didn’t have a chance to land standing. I didn’t see my life flash
> before my eyes, but I did think, “Uh-oh, I guess I won’t have a chance to
> land standing, so I guess I’ll be rolling this one out. I hope I don’t
> tear my pants.”
>
> As soon as I hit the ground in my tuck position, I heard someone scream,
> “Omygod!” She apparently thought I’d been shot, and afterwards, while I
> was cel-phoning my wife, people told me that they thought I’d been killed.
> In fact, I’d only sustained four minor or middling injuries: a bruised
> left hand, a sore left wrist, a scraped outer elbow (from sliding in my
> tucked position), and a tiny scrape on my left knee. Even my pride was
> unharmed, since the accident wasn’t my fault. And I’ve been riding too
> long (and messing up in public too much) to feel embarrassed about falling
> after a tire explosion.
>
> I later learned that this particular tire was recalled by Nanoraptor
> because it was prone to rips in the outer rim, confirming what I’d heard
> from the man at the bike store. Apparently the inner-tube had gotten
> pinched by the rim and the tire, and when I turned slightly while going up
> a tiny ramp, it popped.
>
> Two weeks later my left wrist is the only injury that still hurts, but
> it’s getting better. I’ve had to ride my Coker to work, but that’s turned
> out to be rather enjoyable because the ride is faster. And I installed
> longer cranks, and they make sidewalk riding much safer (for the
> pedestrians).
>
> I should add that I wasn’t eating sushi at the time of the explosion, or
> talking on my cel phone, or even riding against traffic. Sometimes bad
> things happen to safe riders.
>
> David Stone
>
>