Is there supposed to be a link that I'm not seeing? I'd love to comment on bicycle commuting, of all things.

I had my first mishap with my bicycle commute today (didn't take long, did it?) On my second attempt at riding my bike to work, I hit a hole that I didn't see and flew over the handle bars ZOMFG!

The damages: My helmet did it's job and my skull is intact. My chin hit too though:

≡ Click to see image ≡

leaving my jaw swollen and giving me a temporary underbite this morning. It's better now, just a little sore. I also scraped my right wrist:

≡ Click to see image ≡

So far, that doesn't hurt too much. I also bumped my left knee and left pinky finger; they're sore but they'll be okay.

My bike..... well, I bent the fork:

≡ Click to see image ≡

I need to figure out what it's gonna take to fix it (possibly repairable or else a new fork).

Being healthy hurts!

Be careful, Doohickie. I'm glad you're okay - too bad about your fork.

I've got friends in Ft Worth that commute on bike. It doesn't seem like it'd be too bad of a place do do it, at least compared to Dallas. I wish I could ride in the streets more over here, but the traffic's a nightmare in my area. I have to take Northwest Highway to get out of my neighborhood, and it's possibly the most bike-unfriendly street that ever existed.

It depresses me - I've always ridden to work in other cities I've lived in. I make do by riding around White Rock Lake, which I'm lucky to have a mile from my house.

I love riding.

I can't get past the chafing of the crotchal region enough to enjoy cycling, myself. I am, however, quite sorry for you and your bike.

I've noticed quite a few cyclists commuting this week in Pittsburgh which amazes me. It's been in the teens and/or snowing for a week now and by this time in winter the roads are in terrible shape from three months of constant freezing and thawing. And since it's Pennsylvania your journey is always up-hill both ways.

Glad you're okay, Doohickie.

A framebuilder might be able to repair the fork, but you'd probably be better off getting a new one. Since your Nishiki is, what, twenty years old or so, I figure it's had a good run.

That looks pretty ouchy. Glad you're okay, Doohickie.

My commute is over 90% either through neighborhoods or parking lots. I'm only on a busy road for about a half mile, and that's a freeway access road with one-way traffic. I have to cross three major streets but I do it at side streets where there are traffic lights. It's really quite safe, as long as I look where I'm going.

Whoa, is there an echo in here? :)

Ouchy. Hope this doesn't put you off.

Oh, man, that sucks. I'm glad you're ok. Road rash isn't fun, but at least you're not seriously injured. It sucks about your bike. Don't let this discourage you from riding more once your bike has been fixed.

Not only was the fork bent, but the frame is buckled a little as well. I think rather than doing a lot to fix this bike it's time to start looking for a new one. I'm bummed that the forecast tomorrow is for cold and rain; I'd be up for a bike ride to work tomorrow if it were nice.

Ow, Doohickie! Bad pothole. Bad!

The frame's buckled too? Forgive me if I'm telling you something you already know, Doohickie, but DO NOT RIDE THIS BIKE AGAIN UNTIL YOU HAVE A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT.

Naw. I'll ride it until I get a new one.