I almost always have a split second after I lose control of my bike where time seems to slow down. Without fail, the last thought through my mind before I hit the ground is: "this is really going to suck" (or something similar, anyway). I figured it was like that for everyone.

I've only had on fall that happened so quickly I didn't realize it until I was on the ground. I was doing ~30 MPH (downhill - just a guess on the speed, but I was keeping up with traffic) on a rigid MTB, doing some stupid "jumps" off of driveway lips, and I hit a patch of gravel in the gutter. Next thing I knew, I was sliding to a stop on the sidewalk, and my right leg & arm were on fire. Luckily nothing was broken, but I was very bloody. Never had a chance to tuck and roll, or anything else for that matter. I was just glad to be in one piece when I got back up.

-DR