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whaler

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But if every time you ride, you are overly concerned about going down...you will & you probably aren't going to enjoy riding very much.  Focus on doing the right things, not on what you are trying to avoid.

 

 

this is fantastic advice and it is something I wish I could get through my head. After I had a close call last summer I haven't been able to get my head right and riding hasn't been nearly as enjoyable as it used to be for me. 

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this is fantastic advice and it is something I wish I could get through my head. After I had a close call last summer I haven't been able to get my head right and riding hasn't been nearly as enjoyable as it used to be for me. 

 

I felt similarly after my come-off on a slick, rainy on-ramp last year.  I was fine in a straight line but as soon as I started to get into a real curve, especially a right-handed one, I'd start to tighten up.  It wasn't until several long rides this spring did I transform it into better curve awareness to overcome my fear.

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If/when I need to get over a mental hiccup, or fix something with my technique there is always one thing that works for me.  A LONG SOLO RIDE.  I set out for 4-500 miles and tell myself this ride won't exceed 75% of normal pace.  It takes all the pressure off...no one behind or in front to worry about...the pace is relaxed...adrenaline is low.  I can then focus on riding smoothly and fix whatever problem I was having.

 

By the time I get home, my pace is way up (yeah, that 75% doesn't last for the whole ride) and it feels effortless.  I am smoothly gliding through corners and having fun, which is why I ride in the first place.

Edited by Tpoppa
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If/when I need to get over a mental hiccup, or fix something with my technique there is always one thing that works for me.  A LONG SOLO RIDE.  I set out for 4-500 miles and tell myself this ride won't exceed 75% of normal pace.  It takes all the pressure off...no one behind or in front to worry about...the pace is relaxed...adrenalize is low.  I can then focus on riding smoothly and fix whatever problem I was having.

 

By the time I get home, my pace is way up (yeah, that 75% doesn't last for the whole ride) and it feels effortless.  I am smoothly gliding through corners and having fun, which is why I ride in the first place.

 

Very true, even in group rides i tend to do this more often now. I let them all go ahead and just ride my ride at the back not trying to keep any one in sight. And i dont overly slow down to the point that the group has to wait a lot. Thus i enjoy my ride and pace and get to hang out with others at fuel stops for some chit chat. That way i am getting the best of both worlds

 

The statement about slowing down was purely my personal opinion, to me there was a time when i was trying every day to get better and better and in effect trying to be faster. But now i have reset myself to the point that i just enjoy the actual ride and company of fellow riders. Less adrenaline more endorphins i guess :D

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 As I watch the video of the accident I realize I could have probably just stuck it out and rode it through and been fine.

Lesson learned. Video incoming.

 

I have a theory that it's sometimes better NOT to see gravel, as trying to avoid it can end up worse than simply riding through it, and dealing with the loss of traction.  But it's always easy to armchair quarterback such things after the fact.

 

All's well that ends well.  Rest up, and heal quickly.

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I agree, what happened was probably the best it was gonna happen, you definitely have more control over the what happens in this situation getting upright and picking the best line to try and slow down even if you end up off the road. There's such little control when your leaned over and trying to ride out the gravel, you'll just end up exactly where you don't want.

Sorry about what happened guys, get better, get back on.

 

I'm not going to pretend I would have reacted any differently, but this is the opposite of everything I've ever been taught in riding schools.

 

The theory is that you always have more traction on pavement than in the grass, and standing the bike up just means that you've given up on making the turn.  Especially when crossing a double-yellow is involved, I understand the theory.

 

But like I said, I'm not pretending I would have the balls or skills to pull off the preferred method.  There's a weird problem with any moderate paced ride, because you're almost always going quick enough to get into trouble, but not quick enough to really keep heat in the tires, or put a knee down to save a lowside.  I tend to ride like a pussy on the street...

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I am incredibly glad that Ray and I both are in decent shape considering.

The best thing I can hope is that people can learn from my mistakes.

Some things that stick out to me are the following.

I got on the throttle to hard before I saw the exit of the turn. Especially not knowing the road, would have gave me more time to adjust.

As a result of anticipating what the corner was going to do, I came in way to low before the apex making the decreasing radius turn even more difficult.

Then came the gravel. Because I was so low into the corner I only left myself one direction to go and that was up into the corner. Had I been on the outside of the corner like I like to be, I could have dove her down low, solving two birds with one stone.

Before the turn, I wouldn't say speed was much a factor, I was relatively taking a moderate pace. The corner advised 25 and I think I was going about 55.

I will say I did get a major case of target fixation when things got bad. Had I managed to stay looked through the corner I might have made it through.

Hard to say if any of these things would have avoided the accident, but in combination I would have definitely increased my chance of making it through.

I just feel bad because part of me knows that I pulled Ray into the corner and may have contributed to his accident. I know he won't let me take any responsibility for his accident cause we both know we are responsible for ourselves but when you are the lead guy, you have some responsibility to not over due any corners and I did just that.

Edited by DerekClouser
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As a result of anticipating what the corner was going to do, I came in way to low before the apex making the decreasing radius turn even more difficult.

Then came the gravel. Because I was so low into the corner I only left myself one direction to go and that was up into the corner. Had I been on the outside of the corner like I like to be, I could have dove her down low, solving two birds with one stone.

I will say I did get a major case of target fixation when things got bad. Had I managed to stay looked through the corner I might have made it through.

 

OK, I said I wouldn't analyze the video, but since you brought it up :)

 

I agree with what you are saying here.  If you were riding the outside line (hugging the double yellow) until the apex of the decreasing radius you may have had a better angle to get through it ok.  You wouldn't have needed to turn as sharply when you got to the gravel, so you wouldn't need as much traction to get through it.  But, if you don't know the road how can you know it's a decreasing radius turn until you see it?  I will say from the video I can't tell exactly where the gravel is, so I could be completely wrong.  

 

Hindsight, armchair quarterback, internet-know-it-all, etc...On a unfamiliar road, you pretty much have to treat all blind corners as decreasing radius turns.  Stay as far outside as possible (outside of the turn not outside of the lane), and look as far through the turn as possible until you have a line of sight.

 

Derek, If I were you, I'd head right back to that same corner when you're back on 2 wheels :)

Edited by Tpoppa
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OK, I said I wouldn't analyze the video, but since you brought it up :)

I agree with what you are saying here. If you were riding the outside line (hugging the double yellow) until the apex of the decreasing radius you may have had a better angle to get through it ok. You wouldn't have needed to turn as sharply when you got to the gravel, so you wouldn't need as much traction to get through it. But, if you don't know the road how can you know it's a decreasing radius turn until you see it? I will say from the video I can't tell exactly where the gravel is, so I could be completely wrong.

Hindsight, armchair quarterback, internet-know-it-all, etc...On a unfamiliar road, you pretty much have to treat all blind corners as decreasing radius turns. Stay as far outside as possible (outside of the turn not outside of the lane), and look as far through the turn as possible until you have a line of sight.

Derek, If I were you, I'd head right back to that same corner when you're back on 2 wheels :)

Couldn't have said it better myself. I'll be back on two wheels. This won't deter me just makes me want to get better.

Just goes to show you that no matter how good you think you are you cAn always be better and safer. Hopefully I'll be back for the fall epic ride, otherwise, they'll have a full organizer lol

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I had one thought as I watched the video of your crash...Thank God nothing was coming the other way!!!

 

I had a similar a crash back in 2003 and it still crosses my mind ocassionally when I see a fatal accident is that the only difference between that person and me is timing/luck/fate/grace...you pick.

 

As someone else said...my two main concerns are animals and road debris.

 

It can happen to anybody.

 

Best wishs on a speedy,full recovery.

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Ouch just watched it. Sucks the trees and brush had to slow you down. Looked kinda similar to mine except I was only a couple of feet off the ground. My rear tire slid out from under me then a baseball head first slide into a curb and then into a ditch at 65 mph. At this rate we are going to have a ohio riders meet and greet recovery ride.

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Hello everyone, I finally feel up to posting.  I first want to thank all emergency personnel who aided in dragging me out of a ravine and getting me to the helicopter, they were all amazing.  Next, I want to thank Mike who drove non-stop to get me and our fallen bikes, Derek / Brian (Whaler) for never leaving my side through this whole ordeal.  This scared the crap out of me.  It was the hardest hit I have ever received.  I want to validate that Derek is not responsible for my crash.  It is my responsibility to pick the right entry speed and correct line and in this case neither mattered.  This turn was covered end to end with gravel and you weren't going to get through it on two wheels at any speed higher than 25 mph.  I want to thank God for turning me at the last second from going head first into a tree to back first.  :rolleyes:  My jacket and ass took the brunt of the hit and I ended up in a pile of brush facing the sky.  Got some rash on my hand where it burned through my glove, rash on my elbow where it burned through my jacket and the worst was my knee where my jeans didn't hold up.  Thanks to everyone on the board who posted the encouraging comments.  This is a huge ordeal for me and my family and all the support we received has been awesome.  If anyone reads this post please take this with you.  My gear helped save my life. Wear your gear at all times & know what your limits are for public roads because anything can happen at any time.

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05 FZ1 Totaled - Pic. 2


05 FZ1 Totaled - Pic. 1


 

Frame and forks are bent.  She is done!  I loved this bike.  Insurance appraiser is coming tomorrow.  I have full coverage, so at least its not a total loss.

Edited by Wolfman1
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I feel bad for you guys!   We love our bikes!  I hope you guys can get back on the road soon. But like every else said at least there weren't any serious injuries.  Glad you're both OK.!

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Body starting to heal up, only thing is the swelling in my thumb won't go down. Might have to go get it checked out.

That's not a bad idea, but good lord man, it's only been a few days. Skin heals quickly but joints and tendons can take a week to start to respond. Taking any NSAIDs? How about Viagra? Edited by smccrory
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