My first memorable biking scar was from my first self-supported tour. It's really dumb to try an catch a loaded touring bike when it decides to fall over. I was just about to get back on my bike after a short rest stop. I grabbed the bike to move it away from the tree it was resting against, and it moved away from the tree but then decided to fall. Dummy here tried to stabilize the bike instead of letting it land on its side (on the panniers, there would have been no damage to the bike!). Instead, the chaing ring put a long and deep gouge into my leg. Ouch! That mark stayed for quite a while, but it eventually disappeared.

My other biking scars are still with me, although they are definitely smaller and more faded than they were originally. They are from my stellar crash back in 2004. Pictures? If you want to see a healing progression, there are photos in this gallery. Note to self: it's not a good idea to flip a bike over and land on your head.

--- Denise