Tis The Season

The slip and fall season.

I had my first ice related fall a few weeks ago. One of those slow motion falls that begin when you put one foot down and it (or the other foot) doesn’t stay where you intended. At first you figure that the errant foot will not go far and you will recover from this slight misstep. Then it becomes apparent that no, it’s going to keep slipping, so you’d better shift your attention to just where you are going to kiss the ground. You paratroopers would have been proud of this latest landing as I managed to roll down and not kiss the ice.

So. Looks like this winter will require a more serious approach to traction. I usually put studs on my automobile but leave the ice cleats hanging by the door. I hate the slip on cleats because if they are any good at staying on your feet, they are really a pain in the ass to put on before you leave only to have to take them off every time you go into a store. They also hang up on the gas, break and accelerator pedals. Picture grandpa’s car halfway inside the hardware store’s front window right after he hit the gas when he was trying for the brake but his foot got hung up on the accelerator because of his cleats.

So. I check online for anything I can get with retractable cleats. Turns out there are several. One has an air release valve on the side of the sole and another has a button on the heel that you kick with the other foot to extend the cleats. Both are very pricey and have too many things that could malfunction. Then I began asking around for personal suggestions. One of the guys in my VA group suggested a shoe that relies on a sole design that combines an aggressive tread with permanent studs that do not retract. The result is a shoe with great ice traction and doesn’t scratch tile floors. If you shuffle when you walk it will definitely still scratch floors but if you are careful, you will not scratch a hardwood floor. No guarantees on softwood floors.

My friend was so enthusiastic (he even wears them for running) that I thought I’d try them. The are called Ice Bugs. At $ 260 they are still more than I have ever paid for shoes but if they work as advertised, more than worth it. I found two local stores that carry them and one is a shoe repair shop. Figuring that I may need new cleats or lacing system maintenance in the future, I went with the repair shop. Here is a link to the one I got:  https://icebug.com/p/stavre-m-bugrip-gtx 

They have lots of styles and you can get the same one for $229 at Amazon.

I’m wearing cleats every day. So, how did I manage to fall just two days ago? I’m not sure; after several mental reviews of the circumstances of this recent fall, I’ve decided it was age related. I was watching the dogs playing while standing in the threshold of a door opening onto a covered deck . When I decided to step onto the deck, my feet apparently didn’t get the memo. As the slow motion fall progressed I remember trying to catch myself by putting a hand on a table right next to the door. It soon became apparent that was not going to work but it distracted me from assuming the position necessary (comma position ) to gracefully roll to the decking. Resulting in me just watching as the deck and my face embraced. To say that the only thing hurt was my pride would not be totally accurate. I have a small bump at the hairline (yes, I still have one ) and I bent up the frame of my glasses but a quick review of head injury protocol indicated that there were no serious symptoms; I could stay in the game and substitution would not be required.

I think the lesson I should take away from this is, “PAY ATTENTION”. No more walking on auto pilot. Another thing I’ve noticed is that inanimate objects no longer bend to my will. Threading needles will require good light, a comfortable setting and bench to work on and magnification devices.

And now the obligatory dog pic:

Enjoy the World Cup. Some call it the Super bowl of Football.

Weather should be perfect for it.