So I locked up my front brake, and slid over today.  Luckily I didn't go flying.  I saw a traffic light change, and slammed on the brakes (no-no).  It happened to be raining earlier, and the ground was still wet.  I think there might have been a metal expansion strip for the bridge I was leaving too.  I'm not sure if I just hit the brakes too hard for pavement, or if I ran into the smooth metal strip, or what.  I can't even remember if the light was changing from yellow-red, or just green-yellow.  I probably should have just eased into the braking more slowly.

I'm mostly ok, and the bike is mostly ok too.  My palms are bruised from hitting the ground, and my right arm is sore in places.  Luckily nothing serious happened to me, but I'm pretty disappointed in myself for not being more careful.  

I'm trying to go back now and think about what I was doing wrong, and what I need to change about my riding habits.  When I got into this hobby, I told myself that sooner or later I was gonna have an accident, so I bought myself a bunch of protective gear.  I try and be aware of the situation as much as I can, but I suppose there's always room to improve.  Experience helps too.  I've only been riding for 1 month (although it's been a blast so far  )

I should consider myself lucky though.

Were you down by South Station?  Riding in Boston (in anything smaller than an Abrams) is always challanging.  Fall (the leaves stay wet underneath even when the road looks dry) can provide many learning opportunities..sounds like your learning curve is on target.   Maybe next Spring we can have a Savage gathering at old Ironsides..the technologies are almost of equal age.

So glad you are ok,.....for the most part anyway.

And if you learned something from it, it was not completely in vain anyhow.

Glad to know you will keep riding.

I've been down twice in a year,.....gravel on pavement, and checking the oil.

@ohio_thumper: Thanks for the tip.  There's always more things to keep an eye out for.  I guess it gets easier with experience?

@Trippah: I was actually about to cross the BU bridge, finishing up the loop around from Comm Ave.  I try to avoid leaves if possible, but I guess I just wasn't on top of my game today.  Should have been more aware of the lights.  Let's do a get together in the springtime.  

@justin_o_guy: That's quite interesting.  They spoke in class to release if the front wheel locks up, but there's almost no time from when I felt lock to being tossed off the bike.  

What do you do during slippery conditions?  Obviously account for longer stopping distance, but do you also apply proportionally more rear brake?  I've been in a rear brake skid, and good thing I remembered to hold the brake down until I came out of it.

@Routy: That makes me feel better to know that other people get in accidents too.  Hopefully we all have fewer of them.

Thanks for all the wishes guys.  Even now, I can't wait to get back on the road haha.  I need to bend back my footpeg though.  Or buy some shiny new ones.

Sorry to hear of your accident. I am relieved to hear that your injuries were not too serious.
Best wishes to you and get back in the saddle a.s.a.p. Hugs.. kim  

I think I'm gonna clamp the thing, and then bend with a wrench or something.  I dunno.  Or maybe I do need a hammer.

@kim: Thanks  

Oh man.  I think we just need to have a better mental "radar" of what's going on around us.  Then we can avoid being in situations where we have to brake suddenly.  It's easy to ride when you're calm, aware, and prepared for what's happening.

Charon wrote on 11/06/10 at 07:33:59:

W/o a major revamp to the bike (rear disk) the only upgrade available would be to the front.  Yes it would have helped, but when the rear passed the front or worse, a high side dismount, you would change your mind.

So you need a second bike for those wet days, a beemer.