In the beginning of one tour, on a hot day, I was busy drinking in the middle of a slight descent. I did not pay enough attention and rode straight into a fairly big bump in the road. My handlebar bag got loose and ended up beneath my front wheel. The resulting crash was spectacular, it broke one of my rear pannier's attachments and generally spread my stuff all over the road. I got a severe case of road rash in both hands and legs and tore my shirt.

My touring friend helped me collect my belongings. After cleaning my wounds I was shaking so badly, I had to sit down for a while, have a shot of whisky, then duct tape my bags back together and onto the bike. Due to heat and my sweat no bandages would stay in place. So I just applied generous amounts of disinfecting liquid (not whisky) every now and then. Had to buy more of the stuff in the next town.

Judging by other people's comments in rest stops during the next couple of days my street credibility reached an all-time high. The wounds healed quickly and it became one of my better tours.

--J