In the UK we're going through a touch of frost, probably more like a punch but in my money saving cycle-to-work scheme I braved the elements.

Idiot me going down a hill at rather high speeds spots a car coming out of a crossing. Slamming on the rear brakes I find that dipite locking the wheel I'm still going too fast and sliding everywhere.

In a desperate atempt to avoid said car I slam the front brakes on as well and oops! I'm going sideways down a hill on a bike.

I fall off and slide to a gentle (ish) stop JUST next to the car I had avoided, quite litterally brushing its side.

Owner of siad car jumps out and helps me to my feet, after a brief chat and apology he offers to give me a lift to work. I refuse since the school's just around the corner and he drives off.

Eventually I get to work and slump down in the teacher's lounge. Workmate comes in; "Good grief! You look awfull!" sez he.

"Speed doesn't quite kill but it bloody hurts" sez I.

"We can't let you work looking like that, have the day off!" sez he

So he leaves me to figure out how to get home in the cold. Bastard.