When the going gets tough

[jonny jeez]

Despite our inbuilt tribal tendencies, it seems that when the going gets tough, The species know as cyclists and their genetically altered brethren "The Motorcyclist" do share a distant and common bond.

I managed to come off the loud bike yesterday in the wet slippy conditions. Nothing nasty just a low speed fall,( with a tuck, pike, triple-alto and a rather undignified finish).

While I was lying under the bike (those things are really heavy), in the middle of the road, trying to work out which way was up…who came to help me.

Not any of the busy motorist's, who simply drove around me and carried on

Not the parking inspector with his two way radio and hi-vis capability to draw attention and assist.

No….only a kindly cyclist and a rather well suited pedestrian came to my assistance, both got immediately stuck in and worked as a team to lift the bike and dust me off checking I was physically ok and good to go.

I am massively grateful to you two, whoever you were. It was a miserable morning and you both got soaked (and no doubt covered in bike muck) and all I could think to say was "cheers guys you're really kind"

If that was you outside the Olympia in Kensington yesterday then, THANK YOU. I and my ilk are eternally grateful for the kindness and consideration of those like you.

…if only there was a pedestrian forum I could post on

 

[Zippy]

Well said. Thank you for sharing.

 

[BentMikey]

Ooh shame jonny, hope you and bike are fine!

 

[Amanda P]

Further evidence that Nice People are less likely to be driving cars than others.

I hope your bike's not too scratched up. And that you are'nt either.

 

[al78]

Further evidence that Nice People are less likely to be driving cars than others.

No it isn't. It's known as the principle of diffused responsibiliy:

When I had my accident last summer a motorist and a cyclist came to my assistance. It was easy for the motorist to stop and help because it was a quiet country lane so she could stop at the side of the road without causing an obstruction. Much harder in a built up area.

 

[Halfmanhalfbike]

No it isn't. It's known as the principle of diffused responsibiliy:

When I had my accident last summer a motorist and a cyclist came to my assistance. It was easy for the motorist to stop and help because it was a quiet country lane so she could stop at the side of the road without causing an obstruction. Much harder in a built up area.

If I saw someone come off a motorbike if front of me while driving I wouldn't give a toss if I was causing an obstruction to traffic. I would stop the car so as to protect the guy on the ground from traffic behind me. They could have a broken neck/fractured skull and I'm supposed to be worried because some tosser is going to be held up for 10mins behind me. Yeah right

 

[Amanda P]

My thoughts exactly.

And the fact that Halfmanhalfbike is posting here means he's less likely to be in a car than others.

 

[Halfmanhalfbike]

My thoughts exactly.

And the fact that Halfmanhalfbike is posting here means he's less likely to be in a car than others.

If only that were true

 

[thomas]

Glad you're okay Jonny! Only bruised and sore, nothing broken I hope?

My Dad had a nasty accident on his m'bike a few years back so know how bad they can be.

If I saw someone come off a motorbike if front of me while driving I wouldn't give a toss if I was causing an obstruction to traffic. I would stop the car so as to protect the guy on the ground from traffic behind me. They could have a broken neck/fractured skull and I'm supposed to be worried because some tosser is going to be held up for 10mins behind me. Yeah right

+1.

 

[Amanda P]

If only that were true

Hey I only said "less likely". It could be only a tiny bit less likely, but that's still less.

 

[jonny jeez]

Ooh shame jonny, hope you and bike are fine!

Further evidence that Nice People are less likely to be driving cars than others.

I hope your bike's not too scratched up. And that you are'nt either.

Glad you're okay Jonny! Only bruised and sore, nothing broken I hope?

My Dad had a nasty accident on his m'bike a few years back so know how bad they can be.



+1.

Thanks all. no damage to me spare a little soreness yesterday, fine today even off to the squash court later.

Bike has a big scratch and a couple of bent bits and bob's none of which are to bad.

travelled over the same spot this AM and saw the culprit. large manhole cover

here

Front wheel caught this and slipped out from under me. Oddly enough I am encoraged by this as I can see a "cause" wheras yesterday I just kept thinking it was bad luck...and I dont want any bad luck when I'm travelling at full speed

PS, has anyone tried the 3D on google maps, see the little fella on the right with the goggles...FANTASTIC!!

 

[HobbesChoice]

Just read this and so glad to hear you're ok Jonny and the bike has minimal damage. It's also good that you had people helping you, proving that there are some lovely people out there. It's a shame that when we're shaken up our heads seem to fuzz up a bit, but I'm very sure the people who helped you saw how much you appreciated them doing that.

 

[MacLean]

Hey man sorry to hear about your fall, at least its a minor walk away from one, and your bike aint too damaged.

What bike do you ride man? I ride an FZS600 and have heard so many folk tell me to stay away from manhole covers, and painted road markings in the wet sometimes is easier said than done when theres so many. I take it, it was mid bend when you had it leaned over a bit?

 

[jonny jeez]

Hey man sorry to hear about your fall, at least its a minor walk away from one, and your bike aint too damaged.

What bike do you ride man? I ride an FZS600 and have heard so many folk tell me to stay away from manhole covers, and painted road markings in the wet sometimes is easier said than done when theres so many. I take it, it was mid bend when you had it leaned over a bit?

Hi MacLean.

Mid-bend, slow speed, actually hesitated a split second as the lights ahead looked like they were changing so cut the corner steeper than usual (as I had moved forward a foot or two further) and hit a manhole cover that I usually avoid.

very surprised how easily the front wheel went out though and how impossible it was to correct mid lean.

Lucky for me I only ride a baby Varadero, I was contemplating upgrading to a Kwaker Versys until this week!! .....I think I'll leave that to the drier summer now.

 

[BentMikey]

To make you feel better Jonny, years ago I dropped my Suzuki at a 4 way stop in Fourways in Johannesburg. This is a busy intersection with two dual carriageways, and I braked a bit too hard in the rain. I was shivering and didn't notice the white arrows on the road. I managed to recover from the first loss of the front wheel, but then did it a moment later on the second arrow. Low speed, extremely embarassing, and in the rush hour. Everyone looked!