Well, I started my thirty-mile charity ride on Saturday with my DH, his first "long" ride. My head was full of all this new stuff I've been reading on this forum, like steering with my hips, how to make a turn at high speed, etc.

Well, there weren't many riders around us and we came to our first 90 degree turn. I was moving at a good clip (sorry, no computer on my new bike yet to give specific speed) and felt I could really buzz around the corner. No other riders near me, the line I was holding was clear. So, I go scooting around without slowing down, actually for some reason down in the drops, leaning my bike into the right-hand turn, trying to feel the counter-steering, leaning to my left, etc. I make the corner, still at high speed, and then this kid makes a left hand turn RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!

I hollered Whoa, hit my rear brake, still in the drops, the brake locked up and the rear wheel skidded to the right about 18-inches. I figured I'd go over but at least I missed the kid. But somehow, I maintained balance (I guess being low helped) and just went on with the adrenaline pumping but no loss of skin. The kid just yelled "sorry" and then rode back against bike traffic to terrorize other riders.

Must say that close call added an extra level of excitement. Otherwise, except for my DH going over again due to a shoe clip episode, the ride was very nice and enjoyable.