I Ride Motorcycles
I TRY to ride them anyway... Yesterday it got away from me and I was the sad viewer of my motorcycle sliding down the road sideways; sending sparks flying and me sliding much more slowly...
I am not as guilty as some might think in this situation... Even though it was a single vehicle accident.
So I spent the prior day changing my tires and I pulled them off myself and brought them to the mechanic and they switched the tires with a machine and I put them back on myself. Well, I'm no mechanic and so it was quite difficult and by the time I finished it was night time. I never ride without a helmet, but I wanted to ensure the wheels had been bolted on correctly (by myself).
So I rode around the block - just staying in 1st gear while I did it - going slowly. I parked it after the block and went inside after ensuring it wasn't falling apart on me.
Then I woke up the next morning and was running late for my appointment with a counselor. So I jumped on the bike and started riding towards the destination - it's a corner I take 6 out of 7 mornings, at a minimum. It's just a 90 degree left hand - and it's a lighted intersection with a designated left hand arrow.
I wasn't going fast, but it was over slick concrete - and my tires had been ridden a total of about 6-8 city blocks, and at very slow speeds.
Well - it just SLIPPED OUT from under me! I felt like I had ridden across a sheet of ice! I would admit it if I was really going - but I have taken the corner much faster with the older tires.
So I got pitched down on my left side, as the bike scooted away at about 30mph... Sparks were flying and I was already cursing myself. I thought I had ruined the bike and returned to the world of pedestrians.
So many people were STARING at me with mouths agape - particularly this one very beautiful girl driving. I felt foolish so I gave them all a "thumbs up" so that they understood I was not injured.
I was glad there wasn't heavy traffic, so I wasn't pressured while picking up the bike and walking it to the side of the street. I walked it into the post office parking lot and surveyed the damage.
I had these things (HAD) called frame-sliders; and they are hard rubber and plastic pegs that help keep your bike from being ruined during mistakes like this. They really did their job and I think they saved the bike from becoming a pile of rubbish.
I broke my mirror, my windscreen, ground away some metal, and a few other things including some plastic damage; but nothing super serious. The shifter AND brake pedal were seriously bent but pliers fixed those.
I feel pretty lucky all in all and I think I learned an important lesson rather cheaply.
I am not as guilty as some might think in this situation... Even though it was a single vehicle accident.
So I spent the prior day changing my tires and I pulled them off myself and brought them to the mechanic and they switched the tires with a machine and I put them back on myself. Well, I'm no mechanic and so it was quite difficult and by the time I finished it was night time. I never ride without a helmet, but I wanted to ensure the wheels had been bolted on correctly (by myself).
So I rode around the block - just staying in 1st gear while I did it - going slowly. I parked it after the block and went inside after ensuring it wasn't falling apart on me.
Then I woke up the next morning and was running late for my appointment with a counselor. So I jumped on the bike and started riding towards the destination - it's a corner I take 6 out of 7 mornings, at a minimum. It's just a 90 degree left hand - and it's a lighted intersection with a designated left hand arrow.
I wasn't going fast, but it was over slick concrete - and my tires had been ridden a total of about 6-8 city blocks, and at very slow speeds.
Well - it just SLIPPED OUT from under me! I felt like I had ridden across a sheet of ice! I would admit it if I was really going - but I have taken the corner much faster with the older tires.
So I got pitched down on my left side, as the bike scooted away at about 30mph... Sparks were flying and I was already cursing myself. I thought I had ruined the bike and returned to the world of pedestrians.
So many people were STARING at me with mouths agape - particularly this one very beautiful girl driving. I felt foolish so I gave them all a "thumbs up" so that they understood I was not injured.
I was glad there wasn't heavy traffic, so I wasn't pressured while picking up the bike and walking it to the side of the street. I walked it into the post office parking lot and surveyed the damage.
I had these things (HAD) called frame-sliders; and they are hard rubber and plastic pegs that help keep your bike from being ruined during mistakes like this. They really did their job and I think they saved the bike from becoming a pile of rubbish.
I broke my mirror, my windscreen, ground away some metal, and a few other things including some plastic damage; but nothing super serious. The shifter AND brake pedal were seriously bent but pliers fixed those.
I feel pretty lucky all in all and I think I learned an important lesson rather cheaply.
