As small a crash is it was, my bike and I took a spill recently. I was returning home from putting Mom in a nursing facility the other day... it was raining and I was riding on the downside of a twisty mountain pass with many switchbacks and hairpin corners. One of those hairpins had a curved bridge in it, commanding a suggested speed of what I remember to be 50 kph. I entered the corner (and therefore the bridge) at said speed only to find my front wheel sliding on the wet concrete surface (they oil concrete bridges every year). I corrected the slide but then found myself sailing across the oncoming lane and crashing into the abutment on the other side of the bridge.
Myself and bike are okay. Of course I have a few bruises and soar spots from the impact, and my bike has a few broken bits but I was able to pick it up, and after picking up the broken stuff and adjusting and tightening things that got knocked loose I rode off into the rain and towards home. The next day I seemed to hurt all over.
I was wearing great gear. My jacket has padding throughout and my chaps, gloves, boots and helmet saved a lot of grief. All in all I was VERY lucky, especially considering I could have easily ended up being a hood ornament for an oncoming transporter!! The crash seemed to match my gloomy mood from moving my mother out of her home and I wonder(ed) if somehow THAT might have played a part in this happening. I suppose I'll never know.
So, stay alert out there people, and wear protective gear as much as possible. Poop happens!!
