I've already had a lot of practice with my surroundings and I have grown much more cautious over the last year with a couple of close calls. I have a better idea of what different amounts of gravel do to the conditions and I what my bike can and can't do. I think the long week of commuting did dull my edge a bit, but that section of road looked like asphalt even when I went back to look for my phone.

I now know what chip sealing does to the corners, so I'm unlikely to get into the same trouble again, but some things really do take you by surprise.