tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post5638353287932424576..comments2024-03-13T02:16:08.135-04:00Comments on Cozy Beehive: The "Dominant Left Theory" In Bicycling CrashesRon Georgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-30145193533863875282012-01-11T19:48:59.190-05:002012-01-11T19:48:59.190-05:00I am not a cyclist, but have taken tunes down the ...I am not a cyclist, but have taken tunes down the stairs, on roller skates, etc. Four different falls and all were to the left. Interesting, huh?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-23176992745559853942010-05-11T13:01:10.096-04:002010-05-11T13:01:10.096-04:00"...People who are lost in the desert tend to..."...People who are lost in the desert tend to walk in circles with a left spin, i.e. counter-clockwise. <br /><br />Most or our supermarkets are organized the same way: entrance is on the right, the cashier on the left. Studies have shown that customers tend to feel slightly stressed - increased cardiac pulse, elevated blood pressure, slightly faster walking pace - and buy less when they have to walk in the opposite direction. <br /><br />Same on the sports field: most track and field sports - from the 400 meter distance runner to the hurdle racer, they all run towards their left. Even the everyday jogger tends to run counter clockwise around the field or lake if he has free choice..." fromk an article By Simone Kosog in the science section of the 'Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin' 1999.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-16919186124850367522010-05-11T12:51:19.932-04:002010-05-11T12:51:19.932-04:00what the coach said may be true. the following exc...what the coach said may be true. the following excerpt is taken from an article on "The Dominant Leg"<br /><br />"...This left twist effect seems to be generally apparent in animals. Circus horses enter traditionally the arena on the right and circle left wards. Foresters know that a wounded deer will always run away left wards, even if the closest forest is to its right. Even bees tend to circle leftwards when they spiral upwards to gain height in the air. <br /><br />The basic driver behind this phenomenon seems to be the fact that all cells in nature are composed of amino acids which have a left spin. Chemists can manufacture amino acids with a right spin, yet we can't use them. Apparently both types of amino acids existed in the primordial soup at the beginning of life hundreds of million years ago. Yet life developed only from those with a left spin. The favorite theory is that at that time - when the earth did not yet have the protective ozone shield - radioactive rays from the cosmos did more harm to the amino acids with a right spin. Yet why those with a left spin would be more protected - if at all - is still a mystery."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-44217404647263817362009-09-12T22:34:49.644-04:002009-09-12T22:34:49.644-04:00The comment about old racers and scared left elbow...The comment about old racers and scared left elbows is very true for me, looking at mine. Most of my worst injuries have been to my left side, but I'm not going to subscribe to any theory why...it just seems to be that way for me.Bicycle Repairman/Shaggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04520883565839458630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-5184598407771657752009-09-10T04:03:40.678-04:002009-09-10T04:03:40.678-04:00Stuff about falling to the left is rubbish BUT I d...Stuff about falling to the left is rubbish BUT I do prefer to corner to the left.<br />Good stuff to think about though, sometimes you just accept stuff in life and never thinking about it, it's good to stop every now and then to question thingsrichard irvinehttp://blogs.liverpoolecho.co.uk/acyclistslife/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-83880055054794171232009-09-09T19:30:39.816-04:002009-09-09T19:30:39.816-04:00(coming late to the party...) As for me, my scars ...(coming late to the party...) As for me, my scars are all on the right. I've got some pretty good gouges on my right leg and around my right elbow.Yokota Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04808661100114872654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-3273770447354832992009-09-07T09:42:20.114-04:002009-09-07T09:42:20.114-04:00I've always unclipped left foot first, I thoug...I've always unclipped left foot first, I thought due to being right handed, but then realized- when we were young- where was the kickstand-left side of course!<br /><br />I always fall to my right. Due to a recent crash, I can now attest that it's in everyones best interest to wear the temples of your glasses on the OUTSIDE of your helmet straps- less you loose a piece of nose skin......Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00779752027304481411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-76230450834508435822009-09-03T14:01:07.705-04:002009-09-03T14:01:07.705-04:00The only thing I can come up with to support this ...The only thing I can come up with to support this theory is that in much of the world traffic drives/rides to the right side of a road. This means that if a rider is on the right side of the road, spots an impending disaster ahead, brakes for all they're worth and accidentally locks up only the rear wheel (we all know that if you lock the front your ride is over) the rear wheel should tend to follow the crowning of the road downhill to the right as the front retains some control. If traction is not regained at the rear wheel the bicycle will lay down on its left side.<br /><br />In practice, I do find that my rear end usually does tend to slide to the right during panic stops. However, my worst example of this that I can think of happened one drizzly spring morning this year as a woman in a minivan pulled out in front of me on a long downhill. My real wheel locked and I began to switch ends (rear wheel to the right) BUT I was able to regain traction by feathering the brakes and was nearly flung off the bike to the right as it straightened out (and stood back up.)<br /><br />Another incident, this time only involving my bicycle and I, did result in a crash. It was another rainy morning on fast uphill, right-hand curve with an unexpected crosswalk. You can guess what happened when my front tire hit the paint. Much blood was shed. My left side was unscathed.<br /><br />Add one vote for BS, though.Cafn8https://www.blogger.com/profile/12823570445012150263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-54157319796369183532009-09-02T13:51:59.356-04:002009-09-02T13:51:59.356-04:00check out pic number 45 in carlton reid's euro...<a href="http://carltonreid.posterous.com/eurobike-2009-friedrichshafen" rel="nofollow">check out pic number 45</a> in carlton reid's euro bike '09 pics. sort of dum, but ingenious ad for lazer helmets. ha!Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16268869622833968439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-16862331450542494222009-09-01T13:13:42.180-04:002009-09-01T13:13:42.180-04:00Might as well jump on the bandwagon and join in ca...Might as well jump on the bandwagon and join in calling bullshit.<br /><br />There is no way the offset of the heart is going to have any effect. Its not that big or heavy of a part of your body.<br /><br />Most people have significant side dominance related musculature differences (bigger, more muscled arms, shoulders and legs) and those weight differences are going to be at least as significant (if the are significant at all)<br /><br />If there is any truth to left turn vs right turn comfort and similar things its due to neurological dominance stuff IMO.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00403695097675640092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-72219508065411265012009-08-31T13:49:08.531-04:002009-08-31T13:49:08.531-04:00Long before I began riding bikes, I rode a skatebo...Long before I began riding bikes, I rode a skateboard or a snowboard every day of my life. I am goofy footed (right foot forward)and have a tendency to fall to my right side no matter if I am riding a bike, a skateboard, or am just running down a trail.<br /><br />If you watch a cyclist coast down a steep hill, look at which foot he puts forward when he stands on the pedals and I guarantee that most of his scars will also be on the same side of his body.Skylerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17251649394887212636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-28278785145413207202009-08-30T13:05:50.438-04:002009-08-30T13:05:50.438-04:00Thank you Crispy and welcome. You can find me in f...Thank you Crispy and welcome. You can find me in facebook and become a fan of the site as well. Keep reading.Ron Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-42296910303445880922009-08-30T10:32:38.543-04:002009-08-30T10:32:38.543-04:00I just found your blog. As a 4th year mech E stud...I just found your blog. As a 4th year mech E student I really enjoy your perspective and writing style. Keep it up!crispyhttp://www.collegecyclist.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-54233812033938410402009-08-29T16:26:26.254-04:002009-08-29T16:26:26.254-04:00Didn't Eddie B also say cyclists should not dr...Didn't Eddie B also say cyclists should not drink much water on the bike? Great coaches don't necessarily have to be rational in every thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-37016244392893705212009-08-29T05:16:32.589-04:002009-08-29T05:16:32.589-04:00Most of my scars happen to be on the left side. I ...Most of my scars happen to be on the left side. I always attributed this to the fact that all crit courses that I've raced on turn counterclockwise (probably to keep consistent with velodromes?). Most of my crashes that warrant scars have been on crit corners. I live in Australia BTW.<br /><br />When I lived in Canada I was more into mountain biking. However most of my falls were still on the left. I always tried to fall on the left if I ever had a choice about it because it could potentially save my derailleur.<br /><br />Great post Ron. I'm continuously impressed by the interesting material you come up with!wadehttp://www.cyclingtipsblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-40780111314030862462009-08-29T04:05:56.857-04:002009-08-29T04:05:56.857-04:00From both riding and martial arts experience, I ha...From both riding and martial arts experience, I have to support the "protect the dominant right side" theory. My first instinct is always to face my left side to danger.DLhttp://bikeoven.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-91067037594782356102009-08-28T23:54:36.681-04:002009-08-28T23:54:36.681-04:00@Heltones : Ha, I'm containing much sarcasm an...@Heltones : Ha, I'm containing much sarcasm and laughter about this topic as a whole, just to discuss if its true or not. See Leo's comment above for the funny :<br /><br /><b>I personally think we fall to the left to protect the right middle finger, which is frequently needed as a signaling device during moments of stress.</b>Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12256394060474969622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-30215598706272903462009-08-28T23:10:08.179-04:002009-08-28T23:10:08.179-04:00Hey Ron, thanks for adding the technical merit to ...Hey Ron, thanks for adding the technical merit to my joking about the Coriolis effect.<br /><br />Sorry if the snarkiness wasn't obvious. Clearly, I was wrong with the Coriolis comment and should have suggested it's a consequence of the right-handed spiral of our DNA. :)<br /><br />Btw, I love the blog and the engineering perspective on things.heltoneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872581285184045155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-71463431905979736282009-08-28T22:00:10.649-04:002009-08-28T22:00:10.649-04:00I'm left-handed, kick with my left foot, jump ...I'm left-handed, kick with my left foot, jump off with my left foot, smell better with my left nostril (crazy but true), see better with my left eye (even crazier but true), and hear better with my left ear... And always seem to instinctively twist my body around when I fall, so that I fall on my RIGHT side.<br /><br />I have a theory that it's a subconscious reaction that my body has to protect my 'good' (i.e., left) side from injury.<br /><br />Needless to say, most of my major scars are on the right side of my body, because of this.JMPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-51164493678707725932009-08-28T21:53:35.248-04:002009-08-28T21:53:35.248-04:00@ Heltones, 9:34 am :
You said : Then there is al...@ Heltones, 9:34 am :<br /><br /><b>You said : Then there is always the fall back of the Coriolis effect. :) Maybe the author has a northern hemisphere bias in his experience. What about riders in Brazil, Australia, etc? Do they tend to fall right?</b><br /><br />You see, the Coriolis effect would make sense for something traveling at large velocities. The Coriolis Force equation is :<br /><br />Fc = -2mω X Vr<br /><br />where<br /><br />Fc = Coriolis force<br />m = object's mass<br />ω = Earth's angular velocity (of spin)<br />X = vectorial product<br />Vr = object's velocity<br /><br />As you see, the force would have a very tiny effect on a cyclist traveling at 20 mph. Do it for a bullet, a missile or an warplane and you come up with something measurable. I can't believe that this effect has a measurable role to play, atleast I can find no documented cases of such "falling bias" between northern and southern hemispheres due to the Coriolis. Feel free to correct me.Ron Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-75207579251183549662009-08-28T21:35:58.209-04:002009-08-28T21:35:58.209-04:00Oilcan : Thank you for the comment, and like all o...Oilcan : Thank you for the comment, and like all others, is interesting. May I ask if you can link to this "poll" you took? As part of what program was this poll?Ron Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18394865788996482667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-36700781636400695392009-08-28T21:11:37.912-04:002009-08-28T21:11:37.912-04:00i took a poll and most riders in the states fall m...i took a poll and most riders in the states fall more regularly to the right. where most eastern europeans fall more to the left. <br /><br />i can theorize that this is to counter balance the worlds energy and our natural tendencies to fall.<br /><br />its true i have way more old and new scars on my right side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-8214612395933480462009-08-28T21:11:06.010-04:002009-08-28T21:11:06.010-04:00First thing I thought when I read this, "He&#...First thing I thought when I read this, "He's got his cart before the horse". The reason most falls are to the left is because most turns are to the left. There's nothing really physiological about it. Unless it's a handedness issue. Look at every major racing event (non bike related) turns are traditionally to the left. But to attribute this to heart offset? No. You find just as much organ tissue offset to the right as to the left.Josh Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03969306131489466113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-12369527956180948472009-08-28T17:24:11.855-04:002009-08-28T17:24:11.855-04:00If the "greatest cycling coach" can writ...If the "greatest cycling coach" can write nonsense like this, what about the lesser ones. This is one reason I don't buy guru books off the shelf.Alejandronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13887692.post-17710618991936094852009-08-28T16:56:25.385-04:002009-08-28T16:56:25.385-04:00Thanks for sharing this incredible piece of BS. O...Thanks for sharing this incredible piece of BS. One could just as easily argue that we prefer to fall to the *right*, in order to better protect the heart. The truth is that a cyclist (or anyone else, for that matter,) is<br />not conscious of the heart as a critical organ unless it is giving trouble.<br /><br />Have you ever been told that you should elevate an injured body part above the heart? Another piece of crap, distributed even by doctors and nurses. As a mechanical engineer, I know the circulatory system is a closed<br />loop--blood will flow around this loop whether you are standing up, hanging up-side-down, or floating in zero gravity in space.<br /><br />I personally think we fall to the left to protect the right middle finger, which is frequently needed as a signaling device during moments of stress.Leo Lichtmanhttp://groups.google.com/groups/profile?enc_user=2jFA9RQAAAC1XV04xCKZdH37NkUJCvV6ANzlI28YMOqJoqdK4hA-xwnoreply@blogger.com