I dropped the bike - lucky not too bad

[gooch]

It has been raining all night here in northern NJ. I have been using the GZ to commute to my job (<10 miles) each day, in the opposite direction of NYC traffic.

Most of my commute is on Rt. 4, a local highway that runs from the George Washington Bridge to Paterson, NJ. My entry ramp to the highway is essentially an uphill U-turn. The pavement on the ramp is not asphalt, but old uneven concrete. It is always a bumpy turn in dry weather - this is the first time for me doing it wet.

Slowed down for the turn and went into it. I think I was doing just below 20, which is about what I do in dry weather. Given the weather, I took this turn too fast. The bike felt a little off balance during the turn, and then went into a skid towards the end. I also think I may have slowed down, as I barely touched the yellow lines on the ramp (it is a 2 way ramp).

All in all, I am really fine. My head did not hit the ground, I only skidded for a few feet. There is a slight bit of shredding on the outside of one of my gloves, and that is it. The bike twisted my ankle when I went down, but it could have been much worse (slide into oncoming traffic, for example).

Worst part (since the injury is minimal) - my wife and I live with my parents, and my mother and I work for the same non-profit. Which means that, a few minutes after I had the bike upright, she pulls up. She was not thrilled with my getting the bike in the first place.

Best part - three different people stopped and got out of their cars to help. If I had been really injured, there is no question that help would have come quickly. They helped me get up and get the bike to the side of the road, and for that I am thankful.

The only damage to the bike is that the handlebar weight on the right side is slightly bent. My leg seems to have prevented most of the bike from hitting the ground (not sure how I feel about that . My ankle hurts, but I am walking and expect to be fine by the end of the weekend.

The rest of the ride to work was uneventful - I was more careful in the turns, and did not feel any slipping at any other point. If I get rain on a commuting morning again, I think I will go for a highway entrance that is a bit less tight instead of attempting this one again - too many variables when it is wet I think.

Any thoughts?