Oh - another thing - if you don't use clip in pedals or pedal cages, you might want to think about them. If you hit some really big pieces of wood, this really wouldn't make a difference.

However, if you hit a bump/obstacle and you're not using clip ins or using pedal cages, it's very easy to lose control of the pedals - if you lose control of the pedals and the handlebar, you're usually pretty much screwed.

If your feet are clipped in, you at least will probably not lose the pedals, which at least lets you keep partial control of the bike - time to get your hands back on if you can and to try to control it.

Now if you're going to fly off your bike - this may mean the bike goes with you if your clips or cages don't detach. I use frog speedplays and they disengage pretty easily.


I know if I've taken a big fall when skiing, I ski like a grandma for the first couple days - then let loose when I've got my confidence back. Okay, let me qualify that to say like one of those really cautious grandmothers that inch their cars along, since it seems like there's some quite energetic & active grandmothers on here.

The first/only big spill I had - we were in the beginnings of a 40 mile bike ride. My backwheel had warped, so I couldn't continue that day, but I got it trued and the next day we rode 55 miles (my first time that long) and it felt great. (Ibuprofen is my friend and getting back on the bike immediately really helped modulate my fears...) It did help that I'd originally fallen because my bf had swerved while I was drafting him pretty closely and took me out.... So... I don't draft him closely anymore.