So I took my first fall yesterday . . . I've had my Trek 2100 for about 3 weeks now, have been doing great, and yesterday, well, my back tire went flat, I bent my head to take a peak, hit a stick and down I went. As I was explaining to a friend, it was almost surreal. I mean I knew it had happened, but I almost couldn't believe it. It felt as though everything was in slow motion. And darn it, I couldn't fall on the grass, I had to hit the pavement - but, I'm now officially a member of the road rash club. Anyway . . . I took a quick peak at my knee and elbow - lots of blood and bruising, but hey, I was standing up, so that was a good sign!!! Then, a total inspection of my bike - amazing how much we cherish our bikes and we'll pick off some tall pieces of grass that get stuck in the pedals before cleaning up our own scrapes. So, I had to get a ride home because I couldn't get the flat fixed and immediately took the bike to the LBS. I walked in - everyone knew - "hey, she had her first crash" - and they all had to inspect the damage - not to me, but my bike!!! I was finally initiated into the inner dwellings of the bike shop - I went behind the counter to the mechanics department and got a full re-fresher course on tire changing - amazing how you take in the info much better after you've had a fall than when you first get your bike and never dream of getting a flat, so you're like "yeah, yeah, I got it."

So, after taking advil for the past 24 hours, I seem to be doing okay. A little sore, but was even able to go out for my morning run at 5:30 today - felt good. Skin was a little tight from the bruising/abrasions, but you know what, I have to say, there's a little pride in those scrapes because now I feel when somebody else on a cycle sees my knee/elbow they'll think "yep, been there, done that" and there will be an immediate, unspoken bond.

Kathryn