I wrecked yesterday.

I wrecked on my commute home. I ran in to and cleaved off one of the two guard arms at the security gate as I was leaving the work property. I was checking the flag for wind direction and blinded by the sun at the same time. The guard arm that is normally up was down and I plowed right through it at 12/15 mph. My aluminum bike is just fine but I have minor injuries from my forehead to my toes on my right side. One not so minor injury; I'm afraid I temporarily dislocated my right shoulder and will be visiting the doctor today.
I want everybody to know that if I hadn't been wearing a helmet I would be jello or worse, dead today. My head struck the concrete with such force and violence witnesses said my head bounce a foot off the concrete and I was quite aware that was true when it happened. My helmet is broken in many places and is destroyed.

Wear your helmets!!!