Quote Originally Posted by JennyPi View Post
Had that happen to me once. I was flying on a downhill path and there were a million acorns scattered right in my way. I had to think quick ... so, with my front brake, I braked harder than I have ever done before. Short story: my front wheel practically locked, back wheel came up, sending me over my handlebars, and landing a nice frontal face skid on the pavement. Good thing there was a bathroom about 15 ft from where I landed. And inside, behold, a mirror (to look at my face in)!

Yes, back brakes are nice
I do not mean this to come out as rude, Jenny, but your example is exactly what a few of us above meant when saying that one has to become more familiar with the front brake. Please, please practice using your front brake and positioning your body so your rear wheel does NOT go up and you don't fly and land on your face ever again. Practice using both brakes at the same time, in the ways describe above and also very expertly by PscyclePath.

You are lucky you are able to to tell the story - and not disabled permanently from this accident. Please, please, please, learn proper braking technique so it doesn't happen...