Is there a correct way to fall?

[Geonz]

I don't have clipless ... but I was surprised to read over at bikejournal.com a whole thread about it being better *not* to get out of the clips when crashing - that the bike takes more of the impact! I can't imagine not wanting to be "Free" if I'm falling... if I go clipless I'll do more research.
I always wondered what I'd do in a fall, knowing that "tuck and roll" is what I should do but also knowing that without practice it is unlikely. Welp, as I launched from the bike I went into automatic pilot for how I entered the water at swim team practice. Fortunately that was with a belly flop designed for maximum surface and minimum impact, so indeed, I had *lots* of road rash on my elbows and hips, but my head was up and I didn't stick out a hand to stop myself; I splayed out my arms to diffuse the impact. Yucky, but no ER. (However, if my nice business partner had not *insisted* that I wear a nice bicycle jersey - and the only clean one had long sleeves - instead of an old T-shirt because Bill was taking me out for a ride and loaning me his fast bicycle, I mihgt have needed to go to dig that gravel out of my elbow. If only his nice, fast bike didn't have such good brakes!)

[amy]

I have to say, all these messages are inspiring me to take Aikido and learn how to fall. I've always wanted to take it. Now, how do I fit in 50 hours of work, yoga, biking, and Aikido?? Oh, and I guess my husband, too. Hmmm...