I've told this one before, but it has a backwards twist for this thread...

I was at the end of my 14 mile commute in afternoon traffic. A small downhill alongside a long line of trapped motor vehicles, at the bottom, a traffic light...no shoulder.

Three pedestrians making their way towards me against traffic, as the custom is with no sidewalk. I slow down, but no give. I persist moving slowly, hoping they'll see I have no where else to go (they can walk a few feet in the gravel edge, right?) They finally step off the street, and I increase speed a little bit downhill towards the light. The biggest guy sticks his arm straight out at me, fist balled, elbow pointed backwards ("clothesline") about my neck level.

I held up my right arm to block--NEVER DO THIS. As soon our arms connected it was like catching your handlebar on a fencepost. My front wheel turned sideways and I went over the bars on my head/face.

Twist: as I revived (bloody and dazed,) there were at least four motorists who were not in such a hurry that they couldn't stop to see if I was ok. (I think they were a little frightened at my appearance as I thanked them.) They waited until the ambulance arrived. (All four were African-American women, I think because of the area where it happened. They were so caring...)

Wouldn't want to do it again, though!