Post by coolpoolnorm on Sept 25, 2005 21:29:21 GMT -5
Well - I haven't been riding that long, but I have to agree with the statement that the two types of riders - those who have fallen off and those who will.
I've taken my '79 XS650--2F from here in Cold Lake to home in Calgary a few times - a ride of about 600 KM - about 400 miles - each way. The most memorable trip was when I had taken a short cut to miss the major traffic in Edmonton.
There's a minor highway that skips over to another road (highway 14) which bypasses Edmonton, and since I didn't really want to fight traffic in the city, I'd taken it to make time on the road. At the town of Lamont, there is an intersection that makes a curve to the left, then immediately stops at a T-intersection, as it meets the major highway where I had to make a right turn to head for Calgary.
I was slowing down, on the curve, pulling up to the stop sign, when I realized there was a gravel road that spilled onto the curve - DISASTER! - I had both brakes on when I hit the gravel and both tires lost all semblance of traction. I slid sideways about 15 feet off the road, and into the ditch, scraping up my new(?) bike.
Luckily, both the guy in front of me, and behind me had seen the whole thing, and both stopped to help me, and after we pulled the bike out of the ditch and looked it over (scraped a bit on the left side, busted up the turn signal, and not much else, thank god), one of them offered to call an ambulance for me. That confused me, since I hadn't even scraped through my jeans, but he was insistant. When he told me to take off my leather jacket, I found out why - The Dr told me I was lucky to be wearing leathers, or I'd have needed reconstructive surgery on my elbow. As it was - I got 16 stitches, and a good scar, but no real damage, thanks to a full-face helmet and leathers - both totalled, but keeping me safe.
Even with my arm all bandaged up - it was a good ride, though. Definitely learned a lesson about driving on gravel, and I can look back and laugh - but I did learn a few lessons about safety.
I'll keep you posted about my other adventures.....
Norm
I've taken my '79 XS650--2F from here in Cold Lake to home in Calgary a few times - a ride of about 600 KM - about 400 miles - each way. The most memorable trip was when I had taken a short cut to miss the major traffic in Edmonton.
There's a minor highway that skips over to another road (highway 14) which bypasses Edmonton, and since I didn't really want to fight traffic in the city, I'd taken it to make time on the road. At the town of Lamont, there is an intersection that makes a curve to the left, then immediately stops at a T-intersection, as it meets the major highway where I had to make a right turn to head for Calgary.
I was slowing down, on the curve, pulling up to the stop sign, when I realized there was a gravel road that spilled onto the curve - DISASTER! - I had both brakes on when I hit the gravel and both tires lost all semblance of traction. I slid sideways about 15 feet off the road, and into the ditch, scraping up my new(?) bike.
Luckily, both the guy in front of me, and behind me had seen the whole thing, and both stopped to help me, and after we pulled the bike out of the ditch and looked it over (scraped a bit on the left side, busted up the turn signal, and not much else, thank god), one of them offered to call an ambulance for me. That confused me, since I hadn't even scraped through my jeans, but he was insistant. When he told me to take off my leather jacket, I found out why - The Dr told me I was lucky to be wearing leathers, or I'd have needed reconstructive surgery on my elbow. As it was - I got 16 stitches, and a good scar, but no real damage, thanks to a full-face helmet and leathers - both totalled, but keeping me safe.
Even with my arm all bandaged up - it was a good ride, though. Definitely learned a lesson about driving on gravel, and I can look back and laugh - but I did learn a few lessons about safety.
I'll keep you posted about my other adventures.....
Norm
I'm glad to hear you fared out reasonably well... be careful out there Norm. Lots of hazards waiting for us. Talk to you soon.