"Chris Clarke" (shiftsandgiggles)
05/08/2014 at 10:36 • Filed to: two wheels bad
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"Chris Clarke" (shiftsandgiggles)
05/08/2014 at 10:36 • Filed to: two wheels bad | 13
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Analyzing the physics of stupid.
KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> Chris Clarke
05/08/2014 at 10:39 |
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I do not understand this concept. The following is required attire on my motorcycle, and so the aerodymanics demonstrated do not apply. It has a lower belt at the bottom of the jacket.
Stupidru
> Chris Clarke
05/08/2014 at 10:46 |
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I chose to quit riding because I valued my life too much to trust the Escalade-driving soccer moms we have running rampant in our area who care too much about texting their betches to look up at the stop light in front of them.
The moment for me was seeing a green Ninja in the grass with a red trail and a stretcher being lifted into an ambulance with a white sheet over it. I nearly vomited, then headed straight back home and put it away for good.
I'd not hard to be a good rider- it's really not. But it's hard to count on others to not wreck it for you
yamahog
> KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
05/08/2014 at 10:55 |
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Also helps prevent public plumber crack! More riders need this memo!
CAR_IS_MI
> Chris Clarke
05/08/2014 at 11:11 |
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When I used to own a sports bike I would ride in a t-shirt on occasion. Never shorts though, but when it is 120* F throwing on a chest protector and a t-shirt is WAY more comfortable than a t-shirt with a 20 lbs riding jacket.
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Chris Clarke
> CAR_IS_MI
05/08/2014 at 11:19 |
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Hell, I used to ride around in a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops. But I tell you now, that nursing hamburger looking road rash back to health is way more uncomfortable then 120F with a 20lb jacket.
Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> Stupidru
05/08/2014 at 11:19 |
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I quit riding as I was just getting started with a small bike and a CBT test (the precursor to a full licence that lets you ride up to 125cc) partly because a friend came out of his house one morning to see the aftermath of a crash outside. There was a helmet 30 metres down the road, it still had a head in it. Also I found out why a family friend walks with a cane, he lost most of his left calf in a crash.
I no longer wanted to trust others with my life...
Reigntastic
> Chris Clarke
05/08/2014 at 11:22 |
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Can confirm, friction burns are not fun. I typically wore upper body gear, but when riding from school I'd wear shorts and tennis shoes. Ask me how I know!
Mazarin
> Chris Clarke
05/08/2014 at 11:32 |
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I took a riding class and passed my riders test. All that class and test showed me was I don't ever want to ride on a public road.
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KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
> yamahog
05/08/2014 at 11:34 |
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To fully prevent it, one needs the matching pants that zipper to the jacket.
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Chris Clarke
> Mazarin
05/08/2014 at 11:37 |
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I'm glad I never took a class.
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Stupidru
> Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
05/08/2014 at 11:48 |
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I've heard too many stories and seen too many people that I've also later learned lost functionality of certain body parts (one friend is paralyzed) from motorcycle accidents. For the small increase in monthly gas expenses, I'll stick to 4 wheels. I got into it with my dad, but whenever my kids get to be old enough I'll try and steer them away from anything you need to balance on except for a bicycle
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CAR_IS_MI
> Chris Clarke
05/08/2014 at 11:50 |
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I've been lucky enough to be wearing full gear every time I have gone down. Walked away with nothing more than a few fractures, dislocations, and concussions...
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Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
> Stupidru
05/08/2014 at 11:52 |
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I commute on a bicycle and that's bad enough. I've told many people to keep away from motorcycles and it's a shame. I really enjoyed riding and think a lot of other people would too, but even if you're a great rider with full leathers and an expensive helmet one idiot could still take your life.
Hooker
> Stupidru
05/08/2014 at 13:17 |
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My moment was riding in Charleston SC for the first time. First, a little back story. I bought the bike during a time in my life where my life was in jeopardy due to health issues. I guess I figured if I was likely to die anyway, why not go out happy? Doing something I have never done before? I wasn't usually impulsive about these things but I bought the bike without really thinking it through. A 2004 Honda VTX 1300S. It was 650 p0unds without my fat ass on it. Nimble, it wasn't.
My buddy had a Harley and was very excited that I had bought the bike. I did take a motorcycle driving class to ensure that I wasn't a complete imbecile behind the handlebars. That, of course, didn't stop me from doing 100 mph runs. On back roads. At night. Yeah, I was really smart.
Anyway, my buddy was a huge Charleston fan and I had never been (living in NC for 8 years at the time and still had never ventured south 4 hours). We (he) decided that we needed to ride down one beautiful Sunday. We awoke before the crack of dawn and were on interstate 95 at sunrise. It was a great ride. So early that no one was on the road. Wide open and free feeling. It's an experience I will never forget.
We arrive in North Charleston and are on interstate 26. At this point, traffic had gotten a lot thicker. No problem, I was eerily confident on the bike I hadn't had for more than 2 months. Lane changes were made easily and smoothly having no blind spots. It was amazing. We kept with traffic but never weaved in and out. Also, no lane splitting.
Anyway, This woman in a jellybean (mid nineties Dodge minivan) lane changed. Then lane changed again. It was hard for me to understand how she couldn't see me but when you don't turn to check your blind spots I guess that's what happens. I was driving at 65 mph and banging my hand on her window trying to get her to stop advancing. She had no idea I was there. I was in the passing lane so the only thing I had time to do at that point was hit the brakes and head for the center dividing concrete. I bounced off her car and the concrete and she was gone. Never to be seen again.
The bike and myself were reasonably fine. Drivable. I continued with my day and enjoyed myself but it wasn't more than 2 months later when I sold the bike. I was terrified at that point. I was done.
There are days (like today being so nice) that I still miss it. I have a sad every time my neighbor drives by my house with my old bike. He takes good care of it though so I guess it's OK. So you're right, it's not your driving so much as it is that other people aren't really paying attention. I will also note that my buddy didn't have this problem. Where my bike was reasonably quiet, his had some loud pipes. Those things save lives man.
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Stupidru
> Hooker
05/08/2014 at 14:39 |
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Oh my Goodness, I'm glad to hear you're ok! Unfortunately it takes a few life-or-death experiences to make us realize how thin that line really is, and how much we're not in control of it.
I had 2 times when I almost got nailed. Once, I was going through a green light when another driver didn't see me (orange bike at dusk, I can understand how it's easy to miss) and proceeded making their left hand turn through the intersection. I slammed on the brakes and came within 2 feet of hitting them.
The other time I was going through a roundabout and someone apparently didn't see me again and proceeded to enter the roundabout while I was halfway through. Again, came to a stop close enough that I pounded on her hood, yelled something, then proceeded on my way.
Fortunately we're both alive to tell the stories so hopefully they fall upon ears wise enough to heed our warnings
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Hooker
> Stupidru
05/08/2014 at 15:39 |
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Glad you're ok too! Damn! That's my hope. I just want people to pay more attention. Everyone should be forced to drive a motorcycle for a day so they have a better appreciation for folks on them.