It was bound to happen, and it did. A little over two months since I got serious and I ate some pavement.

Seeing I was coming up to a red light, I was slowly coming to a stop and trying to stay clipped-in because I knew the light was about to change. Well I was rolling up behind what was about four cars, and sure enough while I was rolling forward slowly the light turned green. I look down for a second, look back up and the last car still hasn't moved. WHAM, right into the rear end and a fall on my right wrist, then elbow, then shoulder. I was pretty jacked up and really feeling it. Thankfully I was less than a mile from home. Got back home and immediately iced up for a while. Woke up this morning and I'm still a bit sore.

I've got a huge golf tournament coming up at the end of the month, maybe I'll lay off for a while. Or is that a natural reaction after bitting the dust?

Anyone remember their first fall story?

First one is usually tramatic. Locking front tire in raised railroad tracks was mine.
Locked in. No train coming. Really respect tracks.

It happens. Just learn from it and you will probably focus on it next time and better prepare.

mine was unclipping the left cleat then leaned to the right... finally realizing that I unclipped the wrong cleat. wham!!! ego was hurt, but that was all.

How was the car you ran into?

KeS

Yes, I was just about a year old when......

Just kidding!

Hey! I've been riding a very long time from road bike clubs to touring clubs. Seems everyone who ever ventures to two-wheel it, has to fall from time to time. So start recording your falls now. When your get to page three of volume IV, post us again!

- Slim

All my falls have been pretty instantaneous. I've never actually run into anything in front of me. I believe the first fall was going about 15 mph on a sidewalk while slowing for an upcoming intersection. I still have no idea what happened but I went down like a sack of potatoes, broke helmet.

Glad you're ok. The pain should go away sooner than later (unless something is messed up)

same here...belly up like a dead cockroach and my bike in hand

Sucks man but glad it sounds like you're ok.

I took a nasty fall in a mtb race today. Looked worse than it was luckily I was able to finish and still got second in my age group.

Yeah vicelord!!!!

The guy I ride alot with is quite experienced. On our first ride together he said its not a matter of "if" you fall, rather "when" you fall.

That's pretty hilarious! Hopefully my track record won't be too bad.

unscathed... Just one scared Korean Grandma

Glad you're relatively ok.

My first road bike fall was about a month and a half ago. It was the first time out on a road bike on my brand new bike. I've been mtn biking for years. Never really had any serious accidents. The first time out on my road bike, just to go around the block and check the cleat placement of all things, I low side hard on a slick gutter during a turn. Landed on my right hip and possibly fractured it. I could barely walk for almost a month. Just started to walk normally last week. Still have sharp pains if I move my hip laterally. Road rash on my right elbow but it wasn't too bad. Maybe about a week before it scabbed up. Bike had no major damage. Just some rashing, twisted lever, and a rear wheel that needed truing. At least I learned how to true a wheel!

Glad your OK for the most part. I forgot to unclip in a parking lot of a charity ride today and went over. It was dark on the way to check in and I thought there was a ramp to the sidewalk. There wasnt... In front of wifey and several others. Damaged ego..

lol

There are two kinds of riders: those who have dropped their bike, and those who haven't dropped their bike--yet.

Got back out on the bike today. Was a little nervous, but after a few pedals, I felt like nothing had ever happened and as comfortable as could be on the saddle.

Good deal man. Don't like the bull**** scare you off.

I've nearly had a fall similar to the OP. Luckily I was able to clip out of my other foot quick enough to keep myself up, all because I was hoping to catch the light change. Good to hear you're OK and back on the bike

Mazel tov. Today you are a man.

There you go!

But in answer to your question yes I remember my first crash. I was 6 1/2 years old and it was on the new bike Santa brought me for Christmas 1960. I have crashed an embarrassing number of times since then.

Bought my first road bike in July and my first crash was in early August. I was doing maybe 17mph, braking on a downhill in the wet while moving to the right over a painted stripe. Combination of newbie errors. Lost traction and the front tire slid into a conveniently located 23mm-wide groove and the front tube punctured; went down on my left wrist.

I got up, inspected self and helmet and a cyclist who saw he crash helped me out a lot by replacing my tube for me (I handed him my spare, pump and levers) and checking out my bike (only loss was a cosmetic cover part on the Ultegra shifter, and some scratches) - he happened to be an active racer, ex-mechanic(!) and still worked on his and friends' bikes. Got back on the bike and finished the remaining 2 miles of my ride. A few hours later the pain in my left arm was really bothering me so I left work and checked into ER and x-rays confirmed I broke my wrist + elbow.

I'd already signed up and paid for a century ride in mid-Sept so I still wanted to ride that. Doc cleared me to ride 2 weeks before it. It was fine except I couldn't use my main (front) brake or chainring shift as easily. Done a couple of metrics since then as well - I should hit 500 mi since my crash later this week. The pain is almost gone - it mostly hurts when it's cold out or when I'm doing a lot of climbing. The road rash scars aren't pretty but they're alright.

My 7yr old daughter doesn't create and make as much drama about falling on her bike or roller blades as people here on the 41....HTFU.

I don't know why but I like the scars I've received from falling. I'm told I should stay with at least three wheels but the wipeouts aren't as spectacular!

Thanks for the words of support everyone!

Lets keep the stories coming. Fun reads.