Learned a lesson today... Check all the straps on all your equipment before heading out! I neglected to do that with my backpack on the way home from work, and I had a small accident

The shoulder strap came undone, and the bag swung around my left shoulder and hit the front wheel. That threw me off balance, and I swerved off the road. My front tire hit some soft dirt, and then the brakes locked (or maybe something got caught in the wheel), and I went right over. It felt like it was happening in slow motion...

I fell in the dirt on my head, putting a crack in my helmet, a bruise on my head, and a few scratches on my face. Other than that, I don't have any injuries, thank goodness!

The wheel was out of true, so I called home and got a ride. Then I went to the bike shop, where they trued the wheel and ordered me a new helmet.

I have been super-vigilant about being safe with my riding, paying attention to the rules of the road, using lights on my bike, trying to stay visible, etc. So I guess it figures that I would have a crash that was 100% my fault! It could have been worse; I was on a back road with very little traffic going up hill at less than 15mph. And most importantly, I was wearing a helmet. So I will take this as a lesson.

Be safe, and check those straps!!

Tim