Two kinds of riders....

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Toyuzu
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Two kinds of riders....

#1 Unread post by Toyuzu »

Those who have crashed, and those who will......

I just changed kinds this weekend. :roll: Have you ever had one of those days where everything just kind of feels "off"? Yesterday was one of those days for me. I led a group ride on a beautiful road, five others with me. Three of the riders I knew, the other two I didn't.

One of the other two is far more experienced than I, and was on a faster bike. He was behind me. Right behind me. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not blaming him. I claim responsibility, because I allowed myself to be distracted by his proximity. I was thinking I should find a spot to pull off and let him by, since he obviously wanted to go faster, but there weren't many places to pull off.

I looked up after the 20th time checking for him in my mirror to discover I was entering a decreasing radius corner too fast. I made every mistake in the book. I started to lean, then got on the brakes, thinking I'd brake hard for a sec to try to scrub off as much speed as possible, then take the corner. I could have done that, I know, because I know my bike is capable of it. But then I target-fixated on the side of the road, and you know what happens then....off I went. :oops:

Thankfully, I went off the road in probably the only spot along a 50-mile stretch of road where there was soft, wet grass. The road runs along a ridgeline, and is rife with trees and rocks, or sheer cliffs.

I was able to get the speed down to approximately 20 MPH before the front tire slid on the wet turf and caused the bike to low-side. I pushed off, and hit left-shoulder first, causing a dis-location. No other injuries, as I was wearing helmet, padded riding jacket, gleves, boots, etc.

I immediately jumped to my feet, and threw up my arms, to show my riding partners I was okay, then the motion of raising my left arm caused the shoulder to pop back into place (My first indication it had dis-located.) Just do you know, re-locating a shoulder hurts far more than dis-locating it. :shock:

Damage to the bike: both front turn-signals broke off, fairing destroyed, although it was already damaged quite a bit by the previous owner. I think my forks are tweaked a bit, too. The front suspension isn't quite right. I think the tubes may have twisted a bit in the tree. The good news is I already have another fairing I got from e-bay that just needs a small crack repaired, then it will be better than it was before the crash. A friend also said he has a set of front blinkers for me.

So all is not lost, I've learned some lessons, and I honestly think this experience will make me a better rider. It certainly could have been worse. I did finish the ride, by the way. I led the rest of the day, too and I completely ignored my tailgater the rest of the day. He passed me twice. I just let him go. :laughing:

On the other hand, Maybe I was just trying to help Sev feel a little better - (written by Sevulturus):

Great minds think alike, and great friends crash as well. Feeling sorry for my little buddy up north I decided to go out of my way, ABOVE and BEYOND for him. I thought I'd show him JUST how much I really care and throw myself, bike and all off a cliff. Well, not really off a cliff, but off a road near a cliff and into a meadow. The only meadow infact on a 50 mile stretch of road. Sevulturus, buddy, this ones for you!

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :shock: :roll: :wink:
[i]Only the dead have seen the end of war. (Plato)[/i]

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#2 Unread post by liablemtl »

Dude! Sorry to hear about your "get off". That sucks. I'm glad that you're ~mostly~ alright. Target fixation is a hard thing to get over. I've done that a few times and have almost put myself in a bad place too.

The good thing about plastic is... they always make more of it! Here's to a speedy recovery: :cheers:
We're the first ones to starve
We're the first ones to die
The first ones in line for that pie in the sky
But we're always the last
When the gravy's shared out
For the worker is working when the fat cat's about

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Toyuzu
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#3 Unread post by Toyuzu »

Well, I'm no longer a "crash virgin". :lol: I think I may be able to relax a bit more now, if that makes any sense. I know exactly what caused me to go down, and I also know I could have avoided going down, even given my entry speed in the corner.

Lapse in focus, momentary panic and target fixation were all factors in my crash. Now I know I just need to work on those faults. If I do that, I may be able to avoid any more similar crashes. :wink:
[i]Only the dead have seen the end of war. (Plato)[/i]

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#4 Unread post by MASHBY »

Glad your ok Matt.I know what you mean about your first crash.You are waiting for it.Hope you bike isnt gonna cost to much to put together.U know might time for a few mods to creep in as you are putting it back together.
Four Wheels Good Two Wheels Better

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Toyuzu
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#5 Unread post by Toyuzu »

If it means anything, I can't wait to get my new fairing fixed and installed, and the new turn signals on. In spite of my crash, I can't bear the thought of not riding.

I guess if I had been severely injured, my outlook might be different. But as it is, I have just enough ache (A lot, actually.) in my left shoulder to remind me to keep my wits about me while I ride. :wink:
[i]Only the dead have seen the end of war. (Plato)[/i]

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#6 Unread post by oldnslo »

I'm glad you're ok, but this little event points up one of the BIG problems with group rides. For whatever reason, you felt pressured enough to look in your mirrors more than you would have othersise, resulting in your wilderness exploration.....
John
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IT'S ABOUT OIL, MONEY, AND POWER, ALL OF THE TIME.

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Toyuzu
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#7 Unread post by Toyuzu »

Yeah, I learned a lesson - If you're being pressured from behind, stop if you can, to let them by or turn down your mirrors, and ignore them - ride your own ride! I've found that I'm comfortable riding faster than most of the people I've ridden with so far, until yesterday.

That's a pretty confident feeling. Maybe too confident. Here I am, just learning how to ride again after 6 years. I am beginning to learn how to ride with other riders. (I never rode with others before.) Up to this point, I've been able to either keep up, or run away from my riding partners.

Imagine my surprise, then, when someone shows enough skill to pass me in any corner, in my lane!! It was a bit un-nerving. I felt as though I was riding with KR.(Kenny Roberts)Or VR.(Valentino Rossi)

You're right, John. I have just thought of a few riders who know me, and know my skill level. I am comfortable riding with them, because I know they know me.

Don't EVER let anyone else push you too far. STOP in the middle of the road, if you have to.
[i]Only the dead have seen the end of war. (Plato)[/i]

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#8 Unread post by BuzZz »

Well that really sucks, Dude. :(

Sorry to hear you went down, but glad to hear your alright and it could have been worse. You analyzed what happened and know what went for chit, so it's just up and away from here. You did as well as you coulda hoped.... one more file to store away in the grey matter. Get 'Lil Bro fixxed up and back in the pink and go for a good ride. :wink:
No Witnesses.... :shifty:

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#9 Unread post by Sev »

Ifound out about this last night over ICQ, but that didn't make me any happier that it happened. I was relieved to hear that you're pretty much okay, and that the bike is fixable. It's sort of scary how easy it is to get hurt on one of these things. Then again, being out there in the middle of it is part of the attraction. Well at least to me, the idea that we could get hurt makes it just a little bit more exciting.

Get it fixed, get yourself patched up (dislocations suck, I still get pain from mine) and get back out there. Take it easy this time though.
Of course I'm generalizing from a single example here, but everyone does that. At least I do.

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#10 Unread post by High_Side »

Sorry to hear that you have joined the ranks of the rest of us. :| Glad to hear that you will be ok, and that you are not ready to give it up just yet.
I just want to say that your new friend was neither showing experience or skill by occupying your space. He is someone that you should avoid riding with altogether. Not to be critical, but perhaps your biggest mistake of the day was tuning him out and allowing him ride close to you after your crash. It works on the track, but not on the street.....

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