When we create a FUBAR, who has the nads to own up?

[StoneY]

Well, I nearly proved Katman right yesterday morning

My KTM is an awesome bike to lane split with, high seating perspective to plan routes ahead, clear views of cage drivers heads and a LOT of grunt.

So yesterday.... I made a HUGE fubar. One thats almost unforgivable to my own ethic, so I post here to apoligise, and put this out in the open.

So...SH2.... 7amish yetserday morning.
Lane split gap ahead, two other bikes in close proximity in RH lane, jast past Ngauranga....
I watched the lead bike hesitate at the lane split gap, and move very slightly away as if he was not going to lane split.

Bike behind him did the same, backed off a little...

I made the call and decided to pass them and take the gap into the split.... and the lead bike in lane right made the same call! (that is to enter the gap)
SHIT!
MY major fuck up..... and almost a huge disaster!

I almost took another rider out...in fact two...with MY impatience and arrogance, and belief in my own invulnerability ...I almost caused a massive pile up - and to my shame and embarrasment I was the moron to almost cause this incident :facepalm:

To the two riders I caused such danger and stress, I am so sorry, had you both followed me into town to bash me I would have deserved it.

As I realised we were about to collide and I was at fault I pulled out, almost hitting acage (and would have done so rather than hit the bike beside me) and am a very lucky man that this did not result in a serious accident.

I have spent the last 24 hours beating myself up for this ridiculous behaviour, especially as my role with BRONZ and ACC is so publicly known.
I re-commit myself to better safer riding practises, I will be soon taking some advanced training as well.

If those two other riders use KB (unlikely but you never know) my sincerest apologies, I have no excuse for my road behaviour yesterday morning, and will take full ownership of the blame for the close call.

I now see what Katman has been saying...we CAN be our own worst enemies out there, and I for one will take on board this very close call and make a committment to adjust MY OWN road behaviour from here forward.

Brent

[riffer]

And the first step towards becoming a better rider is knowing where you go wrong, admitting it, and doing something about it.

There but for the grace of God go all of us mate...

[Bender]

You made a mistake. It happens.

[oneofsix]

I presume you had a much more sedate ride in this morning with the wind and drizzle?
Lesson learnt .. for now :sunny:

[martybabe]

Well confessed young stoney but don't be to hard on yourself, however good and honorable our aspirations are to become a safe/good rider, we are all human and humans make bad calls occasionally and inevitably.

You're clearly aware you made a bad call on the day and will do your darnedest to make sure it doesn't happen again I'm sure, we can do no more.

[Katman]

Well confessed young stoney but don't be to hard on yourself,

All credit to Brent for the public confession of his mistake.

However, I'm of the opinion that it is only by beating ourselves up over things like this when they occur that we will actually learn the lesson.

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

[The Stranger]

Well, I nearly proved Katman right yesterday morning


That's a little strong isn't it.
1) We are all human. Humans make mistakes, that's just the way we ALL are (yes even Katman). All you proved was that you are human, there's no surprise there is there?

2) If I understand your tale correctly they were about to overtake (by lane splitting). The onus (at law) is on the overtaking driver/rider to check behind them before starting the overtake maneuver. So whilst there is no denying that you did unnecessarily create a risk, they should know the law and apply it also.

[pzkpfw]

[Start an A.A. (Alcoholics Anon) thread, next, eh?]


Two weeks ago, I'm doing a right-turn at the roundabout in Silverstream to turn off to the Pinehaven area.

Nobody ever comes from my right, when I turn there. And my mind was kind of elsewhere.

I'm looking to my left, thinking "that car better bloody give way to me" when I notice this other car coming around the roundabout towards my right.

I would have been collected, but a simple jab of just enough and not any more front & back brake stopped me up, just past the line.

...but I nearly had to tell a big black Subaru station wagon "sorry, mate, I didn't see you".


Were all human, dammit. Even the car drivers. And on bikes when we screw up (or are screwed on) we sure do fucking bleed.

[oldrider]

Carry on with the beatings until the blood stops flowing, then relax a little! :yes:

[Clockwork]

There must have been something in the air yesterday. About the same time and about the same place (although I don't think it was the same incident) I was splitting my way through the same traffic and I spotted another bike behind me obviously splitting faster than I wanted to go. I spied a reasonable gap two cars ahead in the right hand lane and I decided I'd get out of his way. It seems I didn't do this quickly enough or may be obviously enough because as I took my place in the gap and started to move to the right side of the lane to make if obvious that I was expecting him to split past if he wished, he accelerated passed me on my right as I was "closing the door" on that side.

In truth I was startled and not at all impressed. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was a pretty stupid maneuver on his part.

[martybabe]

All credit to Brent for the public confession of his mistake.

However, I'm of the opinion that it is only by beating ourselves up over things like this when they occur that we will actually learn the lesson.

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

Yup, I fail to disagree but the very fact that Stoney has written this thread in such a way is evidence enough for me that he is regretful for his transgression and has analysed, 'beat himself up' and rectified his behavior accordingly.

He is not a fool he just did something foolish, if he's smart enough to recognise his error, he, 'Stoney' is surely smart enough to put it right, in fact I know he is.

[StoneY]

In truth I was startled and not at all impressed. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was a pretty stupid maneuver on his part.

Dude... I was 4 cars behind you and saw that!!!

You did well not getting clipped and were I you I would have been furious.
I was still thinking what a close call YOU had when I fubar'd up ahead of you (I safely passed you on my KTM in the left lane just prior to my own close call as we went through the underpass at the gorge)

Small motorway is our Wellington one!

[avgas]

Reflection learning is great thing. But it won't save your life.
Its difficult to reflect if your dead.
Food for thought.

[StoneY]

In truth I was startled and not at all impressed. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was a pretty stupid maneuver on his part.

Dude... I was 4 cars behind you and saw that!!!

You did well not getting clipped and were I you I would have been furious.
I was still thinking what a close call YOU had when I fubar'd up ahead of you (I safely passed you on my KTM in the left lane just prior to my own close call as we went through the underpass at the gorge)

Small motorway is our Wellington one!

[Banditbandit]

All credit to Brent for the public confession of his mistake.

However, I'm of the opinion that it is only by beating ourselves up over things like this when they occur that we will actually learn the lesson.

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

A bit strong ... yes, I agree there are fuckwits who trash it and see it as an excuse to go bike shopping ...

Learning from fuck ups like this is good ... beating yourself up about it is crap ..

Shit happens ... LEARN and move on ...

[slofox]

You fool! That's almost as stupid as some of the things I have done....

We all do dumb things - not repeating them is the best remedy.

Glad nobody was hurt.

[Clockwork]

Dude... I was 4 cars behind you and saw that!!!

You did well not getting clipped and were I you I would have been furious.
I was still thinking what a close call YOU had when I fubar'd up ahead of you (I safely passed you on my KTM in the left lane just prior to my own close call as we went through the underpass at the gorge)

Small motorway is our Wellington one!

I'd like to take the credit for avoiding this but the truth is he shot past so fast he was already past me by the time I'd have reacted. I've decided I was probably as much to blame for not indicating my migration back into and across the lane.

Still, was a bit steamed at the time and would have had my say if he'd stuck around but I wasn't going to try and match his riding speed just just to make that point!

[onearmedbandit]

I too have committed a foul mistake recently. I left a friends house about 4pm, riding home along a normal 50km/h road in Papanui (Harewood Rd?) I was following a silver Toyota Camry Sports at a safe distance when I noticed a van starting to pull out of Sanitariums driveway. I wasn't sure if he had seen me so I observed him, while making sure the Camry was still a safe distance away, until I got eye contact. When I saw that he had registered my presence and stopped, instead of looking back up straight away I looked at my speed. And so as I looked up I was greeted by the now very close brake lights and indicator of the Camry, which was now stopped waiting to turn across traffic. I grabbed a fistful of brakes, and a dab of the rear (which briefly locked), looked for my escape path and very nearly cleaned out the back of the Camry as I just nipped up the inside of it.

I was travelling at approx 55-60km/h (the speed of the traffic), I was being cautious, but overly cautious (I concentrated on the van too much, the Camry hadn't stopped between me checking my speedo and looking back up).

Lesson learnt. Being cautious is recommended, but don't ever get distracted by a possible threat at the expense of other threats around you.

[martybabe]

Being cautious is recommended, but don't ever get distracted by a possible threat at the expense of other threats around you.

Now that is a good one. My only ever car accident.....I was so intently watching this rather manic loose dog, totally convinced he was gonna dive under my wheels at any moment that I totally misjudged the parked car in front of me and clipped his rear wheel arch. Not much damage but bloody embarrassing when I was only trying to do the right thing.

The moral: watch everything but don't watch one thing too much because the other thing that your not watching enough may be the thing you should be watching more than the thing you are watching which didn't need watching as much as you thought it did :laugh:

Or: survey and absorb everything that is, or is likely to be, happening around you, always.

[Fatt Max]

I made a HUGE mistake at the weekend and was going to keep it quiet. To be honest, I am still in a lot of pain, have a heap of regret but the bike is ok, so, every cloud.....

Time to fess up...

I put a spoon in the knife drawer, missus Max hates that, she bashed me with a rolling pin

There, it could have been avoided but my stupidity caused the pain I feel now

[John_H]

Brent, to make yourself feel better, simply grab your whip (we all know you have one) and proceed to flagellate yourself repeatedly on the back until the message has sunk in.

[dipshit]

Reflection learning is great thing. But it won't save your life.
Its difficult to reflect if your dead.

That's right. It pays to grow a brain before you do something stupid.

So many Kiwis only seem to have a change in attitude after they have paralyzed themselves or killed somebody. All the remorse and wishing you had done things differently afterwards means jack shit.

[onearmedbandit]

Didn't realise it was limited to just Kiwi's, I thought of it more as a 'human' trait.

[dipshit]

Didn't realise it was limited to just Kiwi's, I thought of it more as a 'human' trait.

Some countries take their road usage a bit more seriously than your average "she'll be right" kiwi.

[PrincessBandit]

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

I'm more inclined to believe the temptation is for them to fall into the "well no one was hurt in the end, so what's the big deal?" mentality. How many times do we witness a myriad of stupid decisions which could end in disaster but because nothing disastrous actually came of it, it was "so what, what's the big deal?".

By going through the realisation stage of what you could have caused (but didn't) you can learn an extremely important lesson without the guilt of the mayhem which could have ensued. I know if you take that to the extreme you could beat yourself up over every little tiny thing, so before anyone comes on knocking what I've said, I'm limiting my reference to incidents such as what Stoney related. The fact that a potential FUBAR didn't turn into one is a source of relief AND wake up call.

[monkeymcbean]

I made a HUGE mistake at the weekend and was going to keep it quiet. To be honest, I am still in a lot of pain, have a heap of regret but the bike is ok, so, every cloud.....

Time to fess up...

I put a spoon in the knife drawer, missus Max hates that, she bashed me with a rolling pin

There, it could have been avoided but my stupidity caused the pain I feel now

Oh well, don't beat yourself up about it....learn from your mistakes, I put utensils in the wrong place too! :mellow:

[Smifffy]

Glad nobody got hurt in all of this, well except Max but he deserves all he gets. Drawer disturbances are unforgivable.


A guy I work with recently had an off in much the same manner as OAB, except the front went under as he braked and turned.

To me these sound like common occurrences that have been repeated many times by many riders, so the big question is:

How can the MSL best address these examples?

Education?
I would have figured that most of those that posted were well aware of the potential for danger, but for whatever reason weren't focussed on it at the time.

[StoneY]

How can the MSL best address these examples?

Education?
I would have figured that most of those that posted were well aware of the potential for danger, but for whatever reason weren't focussed on it at the time.

I would say, a mix of advanced awareness training and defensive riding education would be the only possible outcome for this 'habit' situation in re training our bad habits....

Another angle (for anyone who can make a cleaver enough business based on the psychology of it)would be free track days where we can let all our adrenaline out and release the valve! :rofl:

[Smifffy]

I would say, a mix of advanced awareness training and defensive riding education would be the only possible outcome for this 'habit' situation in re training our bad habits....

Another angle (for anyone who can make a cleaver enough business based on the psychology of it)would be free track days where we can let all our adrenaline out and release the valve! :rofl:

Without wanting to be a dick about it, or make it personal, I would have thought that those who posted their experiences are actually better educated (riding wise) and more defensive than most, yet they still had close calls.

What I want to know is what can be done differently? If the MSL continue to do what has always been done, they will only get more of what we already have.

The advanced rider training and track days for the most part seem already close to being fully subscribed as it is.

[onearmedbandit]

Ever walked into something because you were distracted? Even if you were trying to be careful? Dropped something, because you were concentrating on being so careful you didn't see the bunched up carpet under foot? People take great care in doing things everyday, yet we still have accidents. Unfortunately we can only process so much information at one time, and our minds can be clouded by other subjects too.

This may seem to contradict what I've said about taking responsibility. It doesn't. If you walked into that chair, it was your responsibility. Even if someone left it out, you shouldn't assume it's where you think it should be. Tripped over that carpet, your responsibility again.

So my incident, well I put it down to being a fallible human. I try to ensure that I always ride with the utmost diligence, not making assumptions, looking for and identifying hazards, expecting others to have not seen me etc etc etc, but I'm a human and I made a mistake, one that I was lucky enough to see my way out of. But I still take full responsibility for it, and will learn from it.

[James Deuce]

One of the best "motorcycling" books I've ever read is "Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering" by Robert Shaw. There is a detailed analysis of 'Situational Awareness" within and you can apply the concepts to all aspects of life from the emotional energy of the group of people you work with to traffic flows and threats. I can't recommend it highly enough except most Kiwis don't give a fuck about other people on the road, let alone applying learning garnered from a source not directly applicable to the situation they find themselves in.

Your loss.

[Mom]

Your loss.

And even if you do take all of that into consideration, you can still come unstuck. How the hell we teach that to newly returned riders is the challenge. New ones are easy targets.

[Fatt Max]

Ever walked into something because you were distracted?

Yep, 15 years of marriage....