Francois_Dumas Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 ... the incident confirmed to me again that I do NOT like riding in the dark. This would have been such a silly mishap ! I attended a flightsim event in Germany this weekend. Saturday evening I rode to the hotel, 2 minutes from the venue, to check in and fresh up. In the evening I was the speaker for an awards ceremony, so I had to 'dress up'. I could've walked, but since I don't drink, I figured I could gain 10 minutes in my room by taking the bike later. So I got on the bike, wearing my regular Docker's trousers now (the 'rest' was still ATGATT). What can happen on a 1 mile ride eh? I left the parking area in front of the hotel, did a sharp turn left in 1st gear to get onto the street, and my front wheel decided to go straight aead. I guess my 52 years of bicycle riding provided me with the reflexes to 'save' it. I stayed upright and 'stirred, not shaken' continued to the venue hall. I had no clue what had happened. It was dry, I was on wonderful black new asphalt..... Next morning I looked out the window. My room was exactly opposite the hotel exit... and there I saw it. There was some dark, fine sand laying on the dark new asphalt... probably fallen off the trucks used by the gardneres of the new premises. NO WAY I could have seen it in the dark and even difficult in day-time. I only saw it now because I was searching for something in that spot. Shit happens on tho wheels... so please be careful out there !!! Francois Link to comment
Wooster Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 ... Shit happens on tho wheels... so please be careful out there !!! Francois Navajo Indians/Native Americans have a saying for this, "Coyote Waits"; trickster coyote is always waiting for opportunity to trip up the unsuspecting. Glad coyote didn't get you, this time. Wooster Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted October 23, 2006 Author Share Posted October 23, 2006 I guess it was a good thing the Navajos did not have 100 HP to sit on ! Just ONE is safer at times... Link to comment
Mike O Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 I did an 'Oh-Shit' like that recently (albeit not due to sand). Front tire went 90degs to where I had intended it should go. Bike started to lean to the left, and I instinctively dropped by left foot to kick some weight in the opposite direction (my dirt bike riding days). Had it not been for an adrenilin rush, I probably would have laid the bike down (BTW, that was not a move I would recommend...600lbs can crush or break a limb and doing what I did was kinda foolish in hind sight). But things happened so fast and unexpected (dark as well in your situation). Be careful out there. Mike O Link to comment
GelStra Posted October 23, 2006 Share Posted October 23, 2006 Glad you're OK. What, no pics of the incriminating gravel? BTW, be careful of paint stripes on road (crosswalk, etc.) DAMHIK Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted October 24, 2006 Author Share Posted October 24, 2006 I know.. we are taught EXACTLY where to ride over painted arrows, in between stripes of pedestrian crossings etc. But at least those you can see ! (When I found the gravel I was still in my underwear and decided that it would probably not be fitting to run outside thus (un)dressed on a Sunday morning in Germany to make a silly photo..... ). Link to comment
GelStra Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I was still in my underwear and decided that it would probably not be fitting to run outside thus (un)dressed on a Sunday morning Talk about a mental photo we DIDN't need. Link to comment
tobyzusa Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Same thing almost got me last week. It was dark, riding slow through a corner at about 35 mph and for no reason the back end, and I think also the front to a lesser extent, decides to shift left about 2-3 feet. It was over before I could do anything but generate that "feeling" in your stomach. Had to go back to see what caused the unexpected move and it was a light layer of sand spread oh so evenly across the lane. Link to comment
TN_R_Girl Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Glad to hear that sand didn't get you. I hate that feeling you get in your stomach when something unexpected happens Link to comment
Albert Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I was still in my underwear and decided that it would probably not be fitting to run outside thus (un)dressed on a Sunday morning Talk about a mental photo we DIDN't need. Especially after he "Almost went down Saturday night". This post is going to the dogs. Francois, in all seriousness I'm glad to hear is wound up being a painless learning experience. Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted October 25, 2006 Author Share Posted October 25, 2006 Especially after he "Almost went down Saturday night". This post is going to the dogs. Well.... it wasn't much to begin with........ Link to comment
Rpstk Posted October 25, 2006 Share Posted October 25, 2006 thank you, after being off the bike for a number of years I welcome bits and pieces of what to look for. by the way; really like the things you add to this forum! Bob Link to comment
Francois_Dumas Posted October 26, 2006 Author Share Posted October 26, 2006 Thanks Bob and glad you find some of my ramblings useful. I had been off bikes for over 30 years when I decided to get a license again. Never looked back..... Link to comment
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