I'm a real rider for SURE now! Earlier this morning I experienced my very first crash. Anticipating the ride to the BIG bike night tonight I decided to ride to work today since the restaurant/bar is like a mile away from my work. I woke up to rain, but that didn't deter me, I was determined to ride to work anyway. I donned all of Michael's gear, including rain gear, wrapped my phone and all other valuables in plastic bags to avoid water damage and I was off. Following the rules of my permit I rode back roads. I was on Grandview Ave. near downtown and was coming to a stoplight so I pulled in the clutch and applied my front break. Deciding the front break would not provide sufficient stopping power I applied the back break and WHOOPS, down I went. I'm fairly certain that the back break locked up and the bike launched to the side tossing me off and coming down on my foot. (THANK GOD FOR GEAR) I managed to pick the bike up and pulled off to the side of the road where, once assuring my safety, I lost it. Keep in mind I am a girl and a new rider....that being my first crash I was shaken up and immediately began sobbing uncontrollably. I called Michael whose immediate concern was my safety and once convincing him that I was okay, calmed me down and convinced me to get out of the rain and call him back. I got the bike restarted and thought briefly that I could make it the rest of the way to work, but was WAY too shaken up. I pulled into NAPA, the very first place with doors and an open sign and asked them if I could hang out there until my fiance came to get me. I realized very quickly that my ankle hurt like a son of a bitch and continued to cry. Bless all those employees hearts, one brought me coffee, one sat outside with me while I smoked...an EMT came when Michael got there and looked at my ankle, the EMT and another man helped Michael get me into the car, and they even let me leave my bike parked by the store front until Michael had time to go back and get it. Overall, not the worst experience I've ever had in my life...and now I have my first crash out of the way. I'm still going to bike night and if I can get the swelling in my ankle and foot to go down, I'm RIDING. Not sure Michael will want me to do that and that would be okay too. I am so blessed to have a man as helpful, patient, loving and caring as he is. I don't know what I would have done without him. But there you have it...I crashed and my tip to others riders is......DON'T. lol