Wow, a lot of great advice in this thread. I think topping the list of good practices is first don't ride over your head, second take Judo, and third ride a mountain-bike as much as you ride on the road, all of which will build up confidence. I am sure those who played hard when they were young are ahead of the game. Every day people are maimed and killed getting into a bathtub, walking on ice, getting in car crashes, or shot by a scorned spouse etc.. Sooner or later you are going to end up dead or in a wheelchair, I would rather not end up there because I sat on my butt watching TV and drinking Pepsi until my spleen explodes.
