On average, people fall from any height, any place and any time. Some just fall face flat, head first, on their knees, or on their backs. The first thing that happens when falling is to scream. Secondly, the arms fly out to balance ones' self or to use the arms as a brace. All in all, there is a lesson in how to fall gracefully. The story begins…
One day my sister and I went out bike riding. We decided to ride around the neighborhood and then on to town. By the time we reached town, the sun was going down and in our eyes. My sister decided ride towards the fire department. I followed. Just as we got near the drive way of the fire station, by sister started to slow down. So, I slowed down to a crawl about three feet behind her. Suddenly, a fire truck stop at the corner at the same time my sister reached the grass patch next to it. Then it happened!
It was as if, I was watching a film in slow motion. The glare of the sun surrounded her like a halo. Although it took her about thirty seconds to fall, it seemed like it took her an hour to hit the ground. The bike started to fall. My sister kept her hands on the handlebars. Her feet stayed on the pedals. Usually when someone falls the bike goes one way and the rider the other way. Not once did she throw her arms out, flayed them or swung them. She held onto the bike, landed on the grass and stayed in riding position. In fact, she stayed in that position on the ground until the fireman drove the truck into the station. As I got off my bike, I started to run to her and asked her if she was okay. There was no movement. I got closer, there was still no sounds coming from her. And, as I got to her side, she finally got off the ground.
- During the fall, keep hands and feet in position on the bike
- Do not sway your body to and fro
- Do not let the bike go during the fall
- Take time to absorb the impact while on the ground before leting the bike go and stretching out
The lesson is keep your self in position as you hit the ground and you might not get hurt as bad as you think you would.
