Celerity
Well-Known Member
The battle between gravity and friction has been lost.
I went out to start the jeep for my first day of work, doesn't start (It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand). There is going to be a huge rain storm here today, but when I get out of work. I have no problem riding in the rain, so I ran in the house, grabbed the leather the helmet and gloves.
Now I've ridden in rain lots of times. I will always get fully geared for the ride, including the pants and boots. I skipped this step, which is mistake one.
I got on the bike, and all things are working well. I went to get a pack of smokes at the store, and left the parking lot - taking a right. To the right there is 8 feet before a steel train track with a levelling steel platform. I know this is slick. I know this intersection very well.
I made sure there was a ton of room, first geared into the street and aligned myself for the approach. Before the track I shifted into second and got my throttle dialed in for minimum torque and maximum control. The 1200cc sport bike has a VERY, insanely sensitive throttle. I'm used to it, and operating the throttle requires a lot of talent, practice, finesse, lack of panic and GOOD JUDGEMENT.
I hit the tracks at a wierd angle. I wasn't scared or panicked. Since the lane is wide, I decided to take the new line and drift slightly into the left lane to make the tracks, then correct when I'm squarely on the other side.
Something went wrong. I don't know what went wrong. I fish tailed out to the left (facing right) corrected to the left (fishtailing to the right) and the bike almost went down. At this moment I let off the throttle totally (Mistake Two) and it INSTANTLY high sided and tossed me forward. When I say Instantly, like I didn't know my day could go bad, so quickly. I saw the top of my gas tank in one blink, the sky in the next blink. And my head hit the pavement.
I whacked the pavement really hard. I felt the pavement on my shoulder and sleeve, but it felt almost comfortable compared to the pain of a bike laying on my left leg pushing me down a street.
At the rest, I pulled my leg out. I had no feeling . I kept my muscles loose and pulled myself off to the side using my arms. Sat on the bike, took off the helmet and traffic was stopped and good.
I walked away. Without the gear, I would be FAR worse than I am now. My hip is torn up and my ankle is too (low ankle work shoes and no riding pants. Were I wearing them I would be FINE.)
Now, some pics.
I went out to start the jeep for my first day of work, doesn't start (It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand). There is going to be a huge rain storm here today, but when I get out of work. I have no problem riding in the rain, so I ran in the house, grabbed the leather the helmet and gloves.
Now I've ridden in rain lots of times. I will always get fully geared for the ride, including the pants and boots. I skipped this step, which is mistake one.
I got on the bike, and all things are working well. I went to get a pack of smokes at the store, and left the parking lot - taking a right. To the right there is 8 feet before a steel train track with a levelling steel platform. I know this is slick. I know this intersection very well.
I made sure there was a ton of room, first geared into the street and aligned myself for the approach. Before the track I shifted into second and got my throttle dialed in for minimum torque and maximum control. The 1200cc sport bike has a VERY, insanely sensitive throttle. I'm used to it, and operating the throttle requires a lot of talent, practice, finesse, lack of panic and GOOD JUDGEMENT.
I hit the tracks at a wierd angle. I wasn't scared or panicked. Since the lane is wide, I decided to take the new line and drift slightly into the left lane to make the tracks, then correct when I'm squarely on the other side.
Something went wrong. I don't know what went wrong. I fish tailed out to the left (facing right) corrected to the left (fishtailing to the right) and the bike almost went down. At this moment I let off the throttle totally (Mistake Two) and it INSTANTLY high sided and tossed me forward. When I say Instantly, like I didn't know my day could go bad, so quickly. I saw the top of my gas tank in one blink, the sky in the next blink. And my head hit the pavement.
I whacked the pavement really hard. I felt the pavement on my shoulder and sleeve, but it felt almost comfortable compared to the pain of a bike laying on my left leg pushing me down a street.
At the rest, I pulled my leg out. I had no feeling . I kept my muscles loose and pulled myself off to the side using my arms. Sat on the bike, took off the helmet and traffic was stopped and good.
I walked away. Without the gear, I would be FAR worse than I am now. My hip is torn up and my ankle is too (low ankle work shoes and no riding pants. Were I wearing them I would be FINE.)
Now, some pics.
you gotta wear the gear. It may be uncomfortable/hot/etc, but you still have to wear it, it's just not worth it to not wear it.
