Yikes! that really sucks. A patch of gravel almost got me, no less than 30 minutes ago, as I was making a fairly fast right turn off a 35mph road... my rear wheel slid around the turn but I somehow did not fall over. If I had, a car turning right after me would have probably been scraping me of their bumper.

That will teach me to never ride without my glasses. (I couldnt find them this morning)