My aikido sensei was cycles one day and had a small accident that sent him head-over-handlebars. There was a rather steep incline off the side of the road, and he could have been severely injured. A friend of mine who regularly participates in large cycling events told me that in cases like this the person often strikes the ground chest-first and breaks both collarbones. The fall happens too fast for most people to react in any way that might help them. However, my sensei had years of aikido conditioning and, even though it happened too quickly for him to consciously react, he performed a forward roll and came out of the fall with only a few bruises.
I'm not exactly sure what you mean about training being a con, but here's one case where training has helped someone.
David Sims
"Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum." - Terry Pratchet
My opinion is, in all likelihood, worth exactly what you are paying for it.