When the going gets tough

[MacLean]

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.

Cool I used to ride a baby varadero aswell, good bike it was!

Yeh I've skidded the back a few times and thats actually just barely controllable to an extent, but as you say if you loose the front mid bend you've pretty much had it!

You were probabbly pretty unlucky aswell, anyway all the best when/if you decided to upgrade later in the year mate and hope you're back on soon and haven't lost you're confidence or anything!

 

[shippers]

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

A couple of years ago I stopped rush hour traffic for 5 mins as a cat had been hit and I had to lift her onto my gym towel and take her to the vet.

Who then put her down and sent me the bill.

 

[Norm]

You dolt, Jonny!

Glad that you are ok and hope the noisy bike isn't too bad. I had a very similar significant slide coming off a roundabout when I was learning to ride a bike - Yammie SR125 it was. It certainly taught me to avoid anything in the road with the bike leaning over.

 

[hackbike 666]

I've had this a few times where I have come off and a motorist has asked me if I am ok while I am lying there and I just want them to bugger off.(sorry)

Perhaps it's because I feel embarrased and stupid at the time.Plus when all that blood is draining off of me it's eaier to crawl off,hide under a stone and lick my wounds.

Oh yeah Southwark Bridge last time it was a fixie courier as well who came to my aid.(thanks)

 

[2Loose]

After a day where I was losing faith in humanity, this made me smile.

ps. hope the bikeboots are ok.

 

[Crankarm]

Glad you are ok. Many years ago riding my motorbike along the Albert Embankment down toward Vauxhall, the front wheel slipped out as I was forced over a couple of wet submerged manhole covers quite close together by a speeding Parcel Force van. It was fairly slippery, rain on top of diesel/rubber amalgam such as are London roads combined with the dodgy manhole covers, the bike hit the deck and I slid down the road along side it at 30-35mph. Fortunately it wasn't that busy. The Parcel Force van didn't even slow and the few following cars behind just drove around me and my bike lying in the middle of the lane. I had only taken the motorbike as it had been chucking it down earlier that morning otherwise I would have cycled. Anyway no harm done to me as I had all the leathers and gear to protect me. The bike fairing was a bit scratched, the can and I had to replace one of the indicators. No one helped me to lift my bike. Fortunately I was a bit fitter and stronger back then. But still got red bumps under my ears struggling to lift it upright with cars tearing by.

So glad you're ok jj and had help to lift your bike up. It is proof there is still occasionally human kindness on or near the roads.