Never underestimate turbulence!

[3narf]

I was flying down Birdlip Hill today at what later turned out to be 49.7mph, and catching up with a 4x4, when the steering just went unresponsive. The whole thing went into a full-on REO speedwobble (showing my age, there)!

The left hand bend started to tighten up til I was right on the centre line with oncoming traffic, the whole thing (usually a very composed and stable bike) shaking like a - - - - ing dog. I thought at this point I should back off a bit, and as soon as I got out of the slipstream it settled down.

Very scary and something to bear in mind!

 

[Drago]

Sounds like transonic buffeting. I encountered the same thing during my Ill fated land speed record attempt two up on a Raleigh Chopper.

 

[Crackle]

I can't believe you don't carry a braking parachute.

 

[midlife]

You need to make yourself more coke bottle shaped if transonic drag is your problem.....

 

[Slick]

Fit a splitter to your rear end, you'll love it.

 

[3narf]

You need to make yourself more coke bottle shaped if transonic drag is your problem.....

View attachment 373969

Area rule! Delays the formation of the incipient wave.

 

[johnnyb47]

49.7mph!!!!,
If I could ever of managed that, my double chins would of been flapping around behind me like a scarf in a hurricane:=)))

 

[midlife]

Area rule! Delays the formation of the incipient wave.

With thanks to Mr Whitcomb, and he even has a hand in making bike frames too ( spelling might not be right lol )

 

[Drago]

Found some headcam footage of transonic buffeting when riding my Raleigh Chopper.


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yr02n1b8sUE

 

[Banjo]

Gripping the top tube between your legs is the recommended way to stop a speed wobble . Also helps you keep control of your bowels.

 

[Globalti]

At that speed entering the slipstream of a vehicle or just another rider you will feel like a giant hand has invisibly pushed you forward and you'll be reaching for the brakes or diving out of the turbulent air into still air to try to slow down. It's a remarkable feeling of acceleration.

 

[Dirk]

49.7mph!!!!,
If I could ever of managed that, my double chins would of been flapping around behind me like a scarf in a hurricane:=)))

I found that the panniers on my Ridgeback Voyage touring bike held me back some. They did seem to add to stability though.

 

[Bollo]

Sounds like transonic buffeting. I encountered the same thing during my Ill fated land speed record attempt two up on a Raleigh Chopper.

I had a big bowl of homemade dal last night, so there's a good deal of transonic buffeting in casa Bollo this morning.

 

[Drago]

Push hard and the laminar flows will settle around your ailerons.

 

[Bollo]

Push hard and the laminar flows will settle around your ailerons.

There is a real danger of catastrophic damage to my undercarriage.

Baaaack on topic-ish. I've never had a speed wobble myself and only ever seen it in action once, many years ago on a ride around the Isle of Wight with @MacB of this parish. He didn't look especially excited when it kicked in down one of the island's many inclines. Or that could have just been the prospect of spending a couple of hours in my company.