Cycling Safety

I got in my first real spill on Friday. I've had a couple occasions where I was unable to unclip and fallen over, but adding 15-20 mph makes for an unforgettable experience. Luckily, the traffic behind my friends and me was paying attention, they were able to stop, and further injury was prevented. I had planned to post this video this weekend anyways, but little did I know how appropriate it would be.

Tips:

• Always wear a helmet (even if you're just riding around the neighborhood!).
• Carry your cell phone and identification. 
• Be predictable. Ride in a straight line. Maintain constant speed. Communicate with riders behind you where potholes, gravel, and other hazards lay. Use hand signals. Let others know if you are slowing or stopping.
• If your front tire comes in to contact with someone's rear wheel, guess who's going down? You! Keep your distance if you're not comfortable drafting.
• After a crash, replace your helmet. There may be structural damage that is not visible. Mine is clearly out of commission.
• Get your bike checked out, too, at your local shop or by a mechanically inclined friend.

I'm not sure much could have been done to prevent this one, but I'm just glad everyone is okay. I'll put up a post about abrasion treatment in the future, and I'll spare you the photos.