I started riding a bike again in 2008, after being invited to take part in Ride Your Bike to Work Week by John Speare.

In the years since then, I have made any number of snide observations about bike riders who wear Spandex (or is it Lycra?) cycling togs.

Today I apologize, unreservedly. What happened to me this morning would not have taken place if I had been similarly attired.

I was rolling up to the back of the newspaper building at about 5:30 a.m. As is my habit, I started to swing my right leg over the seat to begin the dismount as my bike was still moving.

But I caught my pants on the seat and went down in a heap. First thought: God, I hope no one saw that.

I escaped with just a few scrapes and bruises. I was lucky.

That's the last time I'll wear my M.C. Hammer pants to work. Kidding.

So am I going to start wearing Spandex for my commute? No.

I think my solution is to bring the bike to a halt and then dismount.

Or, as Mr. Kirsch, our next-door neighbor when I was a kid, used to counsel his cowering sons, "For the love of Christ! Use the brains God gave you!" 

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