Well, ok, it technically wasn't a crash. But calling it a crash sounds more impressive than admitting that I fell off my bike....while standing still .

As my fellow Coloradoans probably know, Saturday was a bone-chilling 25 degrees with winds in the 30mph range and gusts hitting up to 60mph. But it was sunny out, and the blizzard we'd been waiting for didn't show up. More importantly, due to crappy weather and an even crappier schedule it was my first chance to ride outside all week, so I suited up and rolled out.

Three miles later I said "F*** this!" and went back home for some warmer clothes. My house is just up a little hill along a side street, right off a major 6-lane road. There's almost no traffic on that side street, so as I approached the intersection I rolled up onto the sidewalk so I could push the little button to make the light change. As I was patiently waiting for my chance to cross, a massive gust of wind slammed into me, pushing me just past vertical on the side that was still clipped into the pedal. I teetered, and tottered, and went over. To make matters worse, instead of taking my impending face-plant like a man, I reached out behind me to try to catch the light post. I missed it by *that* much

Result? My back was twisted at about a 120 degree angle from center when I hit the ground. I've got a badly sprained back, and I'm going to be out of commission for a week or so. Worse, it's supposed to be sunny and 65ish all week, and I'm gonna be stuck staring out the window instead of riding in it

*sigh* And this cycling thing was supposed to make me stronger.