1st time
 

Well it happened.Laid my bike over for the 1st time.It wasn't any ones fault except my own.Dumb newbie mistake,crossed over what I call a seam line in some concrete (where 2 slabs meet), front wheel got hung in the groove and down I go.Luckily I wear a helmet so nothing was broken on myself or the bike,just a slight rode rash and bruised pride.:twitchy:.While I was getting back up I was thinking damn that was stupid!

Took to spills this week after not falling in over two years. One was my fault but the other wasn't. We have a bike lane on 1st Avenue here in NYC where there is a seam line dead down the middle of the bike lane.

Its bound to happen. Theres traffic, pedestrians, snow & ice, road bumps & holes, animals (!), the bike and several more factors. Click-in pedals are usually a newbie dilemma. The more you ride, the closer you get to a touch down...

Seam lines in concrete paving are still the trickiest for me also, even after a lifetime of riding. If I can immediately perceive one coming now that I haven't already prepared for, I just firm up my grip on the handlebars for more control and try to let the tire take all the damage, instead of losing control of the bike and going down. That works most of the time, with a little luck.

Did the same on trolley track groove. Live and learn (the hard way).

Learning to laugh (or at least to have a mental chuckle) at yourself can make mistakes more enjoyable. When I was first learning to use clipless pedals, my wife loved to laugh at my tales of what I called my "0 mph crashes". It was great fun describing what it feels like to be on a bike that stops moving forward while your feet are trapped on the pedals and the bike inexorably, and almost in slow motion it seems, flops on its side. It's all fun as long as the injuries are mostly to your pride and your bike can put up with the abuse.

This was said about motorcycles, but it applies to bicycles too, methinks: there are two kids of riders; those who have taken a spill, and those who haven't yet.
Too many factors out there. It's going to happen. Just be prepared for it. Wear a helmet at least, other gear if you don't enjoy have your skin ground.

I think i have fallen almost EVERY time i go to the trails. LOL..it's all part of the fun! Don't be too hard on yourself..we all fall..and get up and ride again.