I had more of a near-death experience on a road bike yesterday than I’ve ever had on a mountain bike. I can see the potential for having far worse things happen to you on a road bike.
Descending a twisty single-lane road with high hedgerows at about 20 mph, I’d guess, and came round a gradual but blind bend to see an old lady in a Honda Jazz coming up at approx the same speed.
There were about 18 inches of tarmac available to me at the side of the lane that didn’t involve hitting the car, and I managed to skid into that 18 inches – just. If the skid had swung out the other way the car would’ve sent me flying.
Next few miles involved a lot of what-ifs and reliving that couple of seconds in slow-motion.