[Aquamarine]

I had a bicycle accident about 15 years ago while trying to "stay in shape" and broke a few bones plus had to have surgery on my hand (pinned). Will never get on a bike again, another reason I'm not a big fan of the Tour de France, brings back some awful memories.

[DollyCali]

Oh Aqua..how terrible.

When you bicycle with any regularity it is not "if I fall", it is "when I fall" and how badly will I be hurt.

I have scars all over my legs, thighs, knees, shoulders, arms.. when you take a hard fall on cinders/rocks when you are going fast you get another little treat called "road rash"... the top layer of your skin is removed & replaced with dirt/stones.

My worst was in doing the MS150(fund raiser for Multiple Sclerosis). It is a 150-200 mile ride (NOT RACE, I don't race). Early in the ride a biker slid into me as he was bit by yellow jackets & lost control. We both tumbled into a ditch, rolling over & over. We took a few other cyclists with us. blood, road rash, moans & groans all over the place. I was a mess. The others did not continue, but I did. I have a dislocated shoulder joint. It hurt like crazy when I wasn't riding but when I leaned forward on the handle bars I was okay. It was a hot, windy & then rainstorm ride.

Man, what fun!