Discussion
Today was BSB day. Do I ride the bike, or take the car? Well, the bike has been out of favours recently due to work commitments and most of my old riding friends having sold their bikes. So for the first time I decided to take the car. As the days go on, the question of "is my heart really into bikes?" as it was back in 1995 when I got my first bike raised itself today.. Ever since I spent a week looking after my friend in a German hospital after a simple mistake on the Nurburgring, things have never been the same.
For those of you who know the ride into Brands well from the south, the A20 leaves the M26 and heads north to the circuit. As we travelled along it, I could reflect upon the many times I have taken this route; and this time with my girlfriend sitting next to me and not pillion, I was able to comment on the dangerous right hander over the M20 which starts as a straight dual-carriageway and tightens aggressively into a blind roundabout. Over the years I recall seeing at least 3 accidents at this same point on the way to either BSB or WSB.
Literally as I finished the sentence, a ZX6R overtook me in the outside lane and I knew immediately he was going way too fast. For me on the same corner I would have been in third, dropping to second and turning into the corner but for him I reckon still fourth and driving hard. He had no chance. He realised he wouldn't make the corner, and sat the bike up, hitting the front brakes, bringing the bike across in front of me and towards the kerb and barrier ahead. Had it not been for the kerb, events would have been different but with the back wheel in the air, he hit the kerb taking him over the handlebars swiftly followed by the flipped bike. With only feet from the kerb to the motorway bridge railings, he and the bike hit hard and bounced back across the road in front of us. Rough guess is he hit at around 40-50mph..
Being so near to Brands, the services arrived in minutes and I all I know as we left he was still conscious. Later talking at the circuit with other police officers did I learn that only weeks ago another rider did the same thing but instead of bouncing back, the rider flipped over the barrier and landed on the motorway below. He was not so lucky.
For me it was a day of contrasts- the splendor and pose of BSB and the tragedy of this. It wouldn't be so bad if it was only the first time I had witnessed this. Unfortunately this is just another tale to tell when non-bikers ask me if riding is as dangerous.
Riding isn't as glamorous anymore!
For those of you who know the ride into Brands well from the south, the A20 leaves the M26 and heads north to the circuit. As we travelled along it, I could reflect upon the many times I have taken this route; and this time with my girlfriend sitting next to me and not pillion, I was able to comment on the dangerous right hander over the M20 which starts as a straight dual-carriageway and tightens aggressively into a blind roundabout. Over the years I recall seeing at least 3 accidents at this same point on the way to either BSB or WSB.
Literally as I finished the sentence, a ZX6R overtook me in the outside lane and I knew immediately he was going way too fast. For me on the same corner I would have been in third, dropping to second and turning into the corner but for him I reckon still fourth and driving hard. He had no chance. He realised he wouldn't make the corner, and sat the bike up, hitting the front brakes, bringing the bike across in front of me and towards the kerb and barrier ahead. Had it not been for the kerb, events would have been different but with the back wheel in the air, he hit the kerb taking him over the handlebars swiftly followed by the flipped bike. With only feet from the kerb to the motorway bridge railings, he and the bike hit hard and bounced back across the road in front of us. Rough guess is he hit at around 40-50mph..
Being so near to Brands, the services arrived in minutes and I all I know as we left he was still conscious. Later talking at the circuit with other police officers did I learn that only weeks ago another rider did the same thing but instead of bouncing back, the rider flipped over the barrier and landed on the motorway below. He was not so lucky.
For me it was a day of contrasts- the splendor and pose of BSB and the tragedy of this. It wouldn't be so bad if it was only the first time I had witnessed this. Unfortunately this is just another tale to tell when non-bikers ask me if riding is as dangerous.
Riding isn't as glamorous anymore!
As ever, the problem doesn't lie with biking per se, but the mindset of the person riding the damn things.
I thought long and hard before buying my bike last year after an 8 year break(only an old FJ1100, so nothing super fast or sporty) simply because in my younger days, I'd had problems with controlling my throttle wrist and given that I'm now a family man with a child I feel I have a lot more to potentially lose should I suddenly suffer brain fade whilst out and about.
However, having done the deed, I find the thrill and satisfaction available from a spirited but safe ride are well worth the potential risks. Decent leathers, the best fitting helmet I could find regardless of price etc etc all help to minimise the risk, as do maintainence to the point of pampering. Riding in an extremely defensive style helps.....I tend to see it as a victory to arrive home intact, so full lights, commanding road positioning, care in traffic and whilst overtaking (NOT, most definately not, overtaking on the wrong side of solid whites, around a downhill blind bend into omcoming two lane traffic as I witnessed a whole gaggle of Harleys do on Good Friday on the way into Weymouth)help make biking fun.
Biking has taught me more about survival on the roads than ever my many thousands of car miles have. Road surface conditions, idiot anticipation, situational awareness in traffic, all boosted by being a biker and all helping to keep me in one piece on a daily basis.
Now here comes the "but"............
All the above skills can be learnt.....but they cannot be taught to someone who isn't receptive, and I'd sadly suggest that the majority of Jeans and trainer wearing "pilots" that are so commonplace either don't have the imagination to concieve what a 40mph slide down the road can do to unprotected flesh or seriously believe that because racers bounce across lovely flat run off areas at massive speeds, they will equally be able to walk away from any spill. Equally though, the full leather racer brigade need to remember that all the suit can do is help, not prevent....the ability to spend money doesn't make you immortal as some people seem to assume.
A bike is a tool, much like a chainsaw or a gun. Treat them with the respect they are due and they will provide satisfying use. Take liberties and they will kill you. Whilst I would never take any satisfaction from seeing another person hurt, I can't help feeling that the person who inspired this thread played a major part in his own downfall and as such, my sympathy is with his family but I find it difficult to do anything but shake my head sadly and wonder if a compulsory two hour lecture/tour of any orthopaedic/casualty unit shouldn't be a part of the CBT.
Biking IS fun, it CAN be relativly safe (and that doesn't have to mean slow...
providing the brain is used to control the bike not the wrist.
If you really want to test the outer limits of your machine, yourself, or your leathers and lid there are a whole stack of racetracks to do it on. If you want to be Carl Fogarty on the A38, don't be too suprised when you end up being a bunch of flowers next to the roadside.
I'd like to wish all PH'ers a cracking summers riding and safe journeys. As the big Sarge in Hill St Blues used to say at the start of every shift "Let's be careful out there"
I thought long and hard before buying my bike last year after an 8 year break(only an old FJ1100, so nothing super fast or sporty) simply because in my younger days, I'd had problems with controlling my throttle wrist and given that I'm now a family man with a child I feel I have a lot more to potentially lose should I suddenly suffer brain fade whilst out and about.
However, having done the deed, I find the thrill and satisfaction available from a spirited but safe ride are well worth the potential risks. Decent leathers, the best fitting helmet I could find regardless of price etc etc all help to minimise the risk, as do maintainence to the point of pampering. Riding in an extremely defensive style helps.....I tend to see it as a victory to arrive home intact, so full lights, commanding road positioning, care in traffic and whilst overtaking (NOT, most definately not, overtaking on the wrong side of solid whites, around a downhill blind bend into omcoming two lane traffic as I witnessed a whole gaggle of Harleys do on Good Friday on the way into Weymouth)help make biking fun.
Biking has taught me more about survival on the roads than ever my many thousands of car miles have. Road surface conditions, idiot anticipation, situational awareness in traffic, all boosted by being a biker and all helping to keep me in one piece on a daily basis.
Now here comes the "but"............
All the above skills can be learnt.....but they cannot be taught to someone who isn't receptive, and I'd sadly suggest that the majority of Jeans and trainer wearing "pilots" that are so commonplace either don't have the imagination to concieve what a 40mph slide down the road can do to unprotected flesh or seriously believe that because racers bounce across lovely flat run off areas at massive speeds, they will equally be able to walk away from any spill. Equally though, the full leather racer brigade need to remember that all the suit can do is help, not prevent....the ability to spend money doesn't make you immortal as some people seem to assume.
A bike is a tool, much like a chainsaw or a gun. Treat them with the respect they are due and they will provide satisfying use. Take liberties and they will kill you. Whilst I would never take any satisfaction from seeing another person hurt, I can't help feeling that the person who inspired this thread played a major part in his own downfall and as such, my sympathy is with his family but I find it difficult to do anything but shake my head sadly and wonder if a compulsory two hour lecture/tour of any orthopaedic/casualty unit shouldn't be a part of the CBT.
Biking IS fun, it CAN be relativly safe (and that doesn't have to mean slow...
providing the brain is used to control the bike not the wrist. If you really want to test the outer limits of your machine, yourself, or your leathers and lid there are a whole stack of racetracks to do it on. If you want to be Carl Fogarty on the A38, don't be too suprised when you end up being a bunch of flowers next to the roadside.
I'd like to wish all PH'ers a cracking summers riding and safe journeys. As the big Sarge in Hill St Blues used to say at the start of every shift "Let's be careful out there"
I went passed the aftermath of the accident, didn't look good at all and certainly not nice riding on after seeing it. But I agree with the other post biking does not need to be dangerous if people are sensible. On the way back people were caning it down the m25, splitting lanes all over the place, but it was really busy... I just sailed on my way, ok maybe not as quickly but only 5 mins behind. Also the amount of people on big bikes without gear beggared belief. At the petrol station a lad got on an R1 wearing jeans and trainers with his girlfrind perched on the back in a skirt!!!!! Madness!
Racing however, was fantastic - 125 race had to be the race of the day, they really are nutters as how young!?!
Racing however, was fantastic - 125 race had to be the race of the day, they really are nutters as how young!?!
Thoroughly enjoyed the BSB yesterday, but very nearly didn't make it. Coming round the Wrotham Heath roundabout to join the A20, (petrol station on the right, big lay-by on left), doing c. 50-60 (50 limit) with friend in a Griff in tow, a muppet on a big V twin cruiser style bike decides to pull out slowly from the lay-by with the intention of turning right across both lanes of traffic. Which is fine, except that he forgot/couldn't be bothered to look for traffic using the first lane which he was crossing. In the second or so I had to assess things, I thought it was defintely going to hit him. Fortunately managed to slow enough and steer for the gap on the left. Meanwhile, friend behind is completely locked up, smoke everywhere. I don't think the guy on the bike even knew we were there - he'll never know how close he came to being the new mascot on the front of my TVR.
Didn't let it spoil what was a great day though.
Didn't let it spoil what was a great day though.
philblade said:
Ever since I spent a week looking after my friend in a German hospital after a simple mistake on the Nurburgring, things have never been the same.
That wouldn't happen to be Adam C who at the time was also a Subaru Impreza owner...just wondering cos i know he had a mate called Phil
No a friend of mine Michael, crashed on his 2000 blade at Kallenhard back in 02- in too early, out too early and still on the bike when it hit the armco. Ok except for right foot taking a change in direction. Only now 3 years on has he started to get back to some sence of mobility in the leg. Wasn't a pretty sight.
twit said:
At the petrol station a lad got on an R1 wearing jeans and trainers with his girlfrind perched on the back in a skirt!!!!! Madness!
The bloke who crashed had not zipped up his two piece properly. Caught badly as he slid on his back taking plenty of skin with it.
One piece or fully zipped up leathers for me I'm afraid irrespective of the temperature..
philblade said:
At the petrol station a lad got on an R1 wearing jeans and trainers with his girlfrind perched on the back in a skirt!!!!! Madness!
The bloke who crashed had not zipped up his two piece properly. Caught badly as he slid on his back taking plenty of skin with it.
One piece or fully zipped up leathers for me I'm afraid irrespective of the temperature..
Exactly. How much space does a pair of jeans & trainers in a rucksack really take up?
R1_nur said:
July - 3 day course at the Nurburgring.
Who are you doing the course with? I thought the ring where not doing closed sessions for bikes, unless you are German and ride a BMW? The 2-3 day trips I have heard about are not closed sessions, so prepare to keep looking over your shoulder at those four wheelers...
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff