Last weekend I took a spill that left me with bruised ribs and a significant amount of pain. The fall was actually from a near stand-still speed, while making a turn on wet pavement. Nonetheless it sent me to the doctor's office for X-Rays and a 2 week supply of Percocet for pain management.

The accident happened after one of the best 45-mile rides I've ever had. I felt strong and fast, and was able to keep up with the fastest rider in our group for most of the way - including the hills. I think I let my excitement go to my head, and became over confident and careless.

While waiting for a couple other riders to catch up, I was circling in a holding pattern on a single-lane road. It was pouring down rain and I didn't realize that my brakes were completely gone (rain acts like oil when it's running along a bike rim). I had built up a little too much speed as I made that last swooping turn and suddenly realized I was heading for the ditch.

I slammed on the brakes but they didn't slow me down at all, so I was forced to turn sharply and the angle of the bike with the turn of the front wheel made an easy deal with gravity that had my name all over it. I fell flat on my shoulder, with no time to clip out - and just as a car started approaching in that same lane! I was still clipped in to my racing pedals, so I had to flip myself and the bike over into the other lane to avoid being hit.

I landed harder than I realized, and felt sharp chest pain both Monday and Tuesday before finally hauling myself into the doctor for X-rays. Fortunately there were no rib fractures, but they're definitely bruised and I've been home all week doped up on Percocet and Ibuprofen. My doctor said I'd need to rest for 2 weeks and avoid driving due to the sedatives she prescribed for the pain. Every breath I took was met with a sharp pain in my rib cage.

Fortunately I was able to get back to work today (Monday), but I'm not ready to get back on the bike yet. I tried running a little over the weekend with my kids, but had to stop after just a few steps from the pain.

I was really hoping to be training for the Fire and Ice ride this month over Mt Hood and out to Hood River, but we'll see how I feel as this weekend draws closer. I want to be sure to give my body plenty of time to heal properly before risking further injuries.

So be careful out there guys! It's very easy to get overly comfortable with a particular route or group of riders, and I hope you're able to avoid an accident like mine. I was actually very fortunate to not have fractured any ribs or broken my collar bone, and I can only imagine how much a fall at high speeds would have hurt.