My usual route is from New Malden (Surrey, UK) to Hammersmith, London, through Richmond Park. This tends to be a great ride, even through the winter.

This morning was warm, but with a little light rain as I set off. Not too much to worry about, I thought. But I made the mistake of taking a left hand bend, downhill at 20 MPH on my flat-bar road bike (Ridgeback Genesis Day 02) with slick Michelin Erilium tyres. Down I went, my hip hitting the road first. My shoes unclipped and the bike slid away from me. My first reaction was to look up and behind to see if any cars were coming, but fortunately nothing had followed me. I was able to get up and retrieve my bike, and make my way to the side of the road.

Bike seems OK, but I have a nice "pro" style rip in my Team Italia bib shorts :-( and a nasty case of raod rash on my outer thigh (which now aches). There were many cars around at the junction where I was turning - only one kind 4x4 driver wound down her window and asked if I was alright.

BTW Does anyone has any tips on what to check on a bike after an incident like this? The steering seems slightly stiff and tried adjusting the headset (Ahead style) because the handlebars were a tad out of line.

Anyway, I have now learnt something new about riding my bike (take care when the roads are wet), although I do know that I have only ever fallen off through my own actions...