Hot action d@mn. My first low-side...

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#1 Post by **yoda731** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:04 am

And it wasn't that bad, luckily.

Red light to green light, crossed the intersection behind a mini-van, probably going 15mph. Minivan brakes hard, so I do the same, and (it gets fuzzy here because it happened fast) as soon as I did so I felt the back wheel slide left, and then I was on the ground. Luckily, the cage behind me wasn't tailgating and stopped well short of me.

Traffic stopped in both lanes around me (considerate cagers). I sat up on my butt, realized the bike was running & stretched to reach the cut-off. My right leg was caught under the bike, but I wriggled it loose in a few seconds of trying. Feeling intact, I stood up.

More considerate cagers-- two different cars in the right lane slowed, asked if I need an ambulance, another asked if I needed help getting the bike off the road. I went through some sort of mental checklist and looked myself over, and felt pretty sure I was unhurt, so I thanked them and waved them off. Mind you, traffic is still stopped in my lane behind me. So, within about 30 seconds of having went down, I used a piece of bonus info from our MSF class about how to pick up a dropped bike, and I put the back of my legs against the seat, grabbed a handle bar in my left hand and the luggage bar in my right, and I brought her up with not too much difficulty.

Managed to push the kickstand down with my hand from the other side, looked myself over again, then walked around and climbed back on. She wouldn't start (and yes, I had reset the cut-off switch). So, I had to push her off into the parking lot of Einstein Bagels. Gal who worked there had seen it, brought me out water, made sure I was OK, asked what happened. At one point she said, "So you decided to lay it down," and I responded that there was never per se a decision, but that yes I went down.

Yeah. After getting myself together mentally, looking at the bike (scratches on the engine guards, tail light out of place but popped right back in, same with right-side mirror), I thanked the gal with the water, climbed on, and spent 30 seconds trying to start her. No dice, so on a whim I switched to the reserve tank and she started right up. Must have been low in the main tank. Got back on the road, and about a minute later I had a rush of euphoria, realized that I love riding the bike. Go figure. First (hopefully last) low-side wasn't that bad. My hip smarts a little, and I have a small red mark on my right forearm, but that's all.

Lessons learned:
1. Gear works. I did bang my helmet (I will be replacing it), and my Icon Tarmac mesh jacket has some scuffs on the leather lined armored elbow, but no real injuries. Same with my Timberland steel-toes. Scuffs on the side, but my foot & ankle are fine.

2. People do care, whether they are in a cage or on two wheels, or working in a bagel shop. God bless 'em all.

3. Engine guards are my friend. Kept me from being pinned under the bike, helped keep most of the handlebar hardware off the ground.

4. Evaluate my rear brake technique? As best I can figure in hindsight, my back wheel locked up and slid left, taking me down. Any suggestions?

#2 Post by **bok** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:19 am

no real suggestion here, just glad you are okay.

might have been a bit of gravel/oil in the intersection since it's probably heavy traffic area with that bagel shop right there. some might have got on your tire when you were stopped and when you hit the rear you might have gotten a small lockup on top of a slick tire

-Holiday · #3 Post by **-Holiday** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:34 am

glad it turned out ok.
Im still waiting for my first fall (been riding 8 or 9 years) and I'm not looking forward to it. I know its going to happen.
Just hope it goes ok like yours!

DivideOverflow · #4 Post by **DivideOverflow** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:40 am

-Holiday wrote:glad it turned out ok.
Im still waiting for my first fall (been riding 8 or 9 years) and I'm not looking forward to it. I know its going to happen.
Just hope it goes ok like yours!

I don't wait for a fall. I keep my eyes open for opportunities to avoid one. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, I'm overjoyed

-Holiday · #5 Post by **-Holiday** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:43 am

DivideOverflow wrote:
-Holiday wrote:glad it turned out ok.
Im still waiting for my first fall (been riding 8 or 9 years) and I'm not looking forward to it. I know its going to happen.
Just hope it goes ok like yours!
I don't wait for a fall. I keep my eyes open for opportunities to avoid one. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, I'm overjoyed

well, there is a reason i havent fallen in 9 years. I didnt mean to say im waiting for a fall, i'm just saying logistically i expect it to happen at some point.

I wouldnt say it effects my riding thinking about it though.

#6 Post by **KarateChick** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:49 am

Glad to hear there was no serious damage to you or your bike. You sure kept your cool during this incident!

Bx RedBull · #7 Post by **Bx RedBull** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:52 am

-Holiday wrote:well, there is a reason i havent fallen in 9 years. I didnt mean to say im waiting for a fall, i'm just saying logistically i expect it to happen at some point.

I wouldnt say it effects my riding thinking about it though.

WHOA...9 years?! That's impressive. Though I'm curious as to see if that streak comes to an end now that you've brought attention to it.

-Holiday · #8 Post by **-Holiday** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:54 am

Bx RedBull wrote:
-Holiday wrote:well, there is a reason i havent fallen in 9 years. I didnt mean to say im waiting for a fall, i'm just saying logistically i expect it to happen at some point.

I wouldnt say it effects my riding thinking about it though.
WHOA...9 years?! That's impressive. Though I'm curious as to if that streak comes to an end now that you've brough attention to it.

with my luck, i'll high side on my ride home tonight

but yea, i realize 9 years is a long time having never fallen, so statistically speaking i expect it to happen at some point, especially since i ride more miles per year now then i ever did.

Ninja Geoff · #9 Post by **Ninja Geoff** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:56 am

Glad you're okay, and way to go cagers for caring.

The Grinch · #10 Post by **The Grinch** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:08 am

Why did the minivan need to brake hard? Weren't you looking ahead past the minivan to see possible problems up there? Were you following too closely so you couldn't stop in time?