Since I started riding in October of 2006, I've ridden at least twice a week and usually 30 miles or more per ride. I've only had two flats, no accidents, no falls, and only one close call with another rider.

I realized this week that I've grown overconfident and complacent when it comes to being careful and cautious. Riding is an adrenaline rush and a half when you're blazing down a hill at 40+ miles per hour, but things can turn sour in a flash - as I discovered this week.

I made two rookie mistakes that could have killed me and/or the rider in front of me.

1. Following the rider in front of me too closely up a hill.
2. Looking down at my chain to see what gear I was in (while following too closely up a hill).

As I started to look up, I saw the rear tire of the rider in front of me cross the path of my front tire. I instinctively grabbed for my brakes while swerving to the left to avoid running into him - which put me right in front of a large truck that was just starting to pass us.

It all happened so fast and I still don't know how that truck swerved to the left in time to avoid running me down, but I'm glad the driver was paying attention.

There was no need to follow so closely up a hill - we weren't going fast enough for me to get any benefit from drafting. Truth be told, I just wasn't paying attention (overconfidence and complacency).

Beginner's luck has run out for me, and I'll need to be alert and cautious on future rides to avoid making any more potentially lethal rookie mistakes.