I took a yukky spill today. I was scoping a paved trail that I plan on taking some new women cyclists next week. I was on my way back, feeling strong so I picked up my speed. Slid down on a corner covered with a thin layer of mud & wet leaves. We had some strong storms through here last night.

My outcome was quite lucky - just a lot of road rash and soft tissue damage. I have a nice swollen left cheek & a pretty black eye. Both forearms are wrapped in gauze for the road rash. Very sore left wrist & hand - not broken, just terribly bruised. (Definitely harder to type one handed ) Also a bruised hip - at least there is extra padding there.

Don't think my Buenos Aires is too damaged. Need to true the front wheel and clean it up from the mud. I did find a nice crack in my Bell Sweep helmet! I pretty much landed on my face sideways.

So the moral of this story --- always wear your helmet. My 3 boys each asked me about the helmet when they saw me all bandaged up.

Ride safe.