First bin, first cliffhanger - an experience to write home about.

[RantyDave]

My memory is still a little hazy but I'll do my best....

The fourth and final run of the day. My first was lost, scared and slow. Second, much better but with a huge false neutral in the middle that buggered it up. Third was fast, confident, and entirely awesome. I've had a good day, put down one acceptable time and we have a cool night ahead of us. It suddenly gets to the point where I can't see why I'm still hanging out at the bottom of the run. We're running low on people queueing to go up so I kit up, and join the two bikes waiting.

At the start, much calmer now. Pete-the-starter lets me know I have ten seconds so I drop my visor, put it in first and breathe. Look up the road. 5,4,3,2,1 and with a gentle shove on the shoulder I let the clutch out, put my feet up and and thankfully find it in me to open it up in first and just deal with the consequences. Within about two bike lengths we're there, I'm in the place. Nothing else even exists.

Click up, click up, head down, arse back, click up, click up ... wait ... click up. The first corner is a hugely fast right but already over 200k it looks like a hairpin. I button off slightly, raise my head to see where I'm going and manage to get the dish shaped part on the inside of the corner. I hit it with the throttle wide open and not nearly enough speed. Never mind, go left for the next ... a fast right hander leading into a substantially slower left, I come up, drop a gear, don't feel so bad about slowing into the next corner .... through the dip, round the shadowed left with the horrible surface, climb out and into the open ... throttle wide open, let it build speed, click up, watch for...

Cliffhanger! Hard on the brakes, far too deep, far too wide, no elegance at all I go down one gear too far and emerge just above 70k, in second and practically bolt upright. My mother could do better. Pile the power on, click up, hold, click up ... the wind starts battering my helmet, the front end goes light, rocks to my right and nothing to my left we're launching up this road towards the sky. Another gear and there's no let up. I see some trees approaching. Click up. The cerebral brain wins, knowing from experience that it's actually fine. Up again and we're in top, still accelerating hard towards a darkened rise - I still can't remember this corner other than it isn't a nasty one and come off the power to go round....

Through some twisties, the tyres behave perfectly, the suspension compresses evenly, the throttle remains responsive and I can flick the bike from side to side under me. No surprises, everything is smooth, fast, and exactly how I tell it to be. I see a right hander I remember as being fast and hoof into it, cranked over and find myself back on full power more or less at the apex. After this is another right, and we're into the the fast section before the finish so I need to drift out wide to set it up. Oh, perhaps a bit too wide? Nah, she's good. No we're not. It's OK, plenty of space, I'll bring it gently back towards the middle a bit. I hear the front tyre touch gravel.

I'm on the ground. The bike is ahead of me, sideways, flying down the road in a torrent of gravel and grass.

For a tiny fraction of a second I see stones passing in front of my eyes.

At this speed it's going to take me an age to decellerate.

It's over.

I'm alive. I'm not in pain. Nothing's broken. I'm on my back, in long grass, down a ditch. My fingers still work so I flip open my visor and spend some time yelling for help. I get embarrassed. I get over it, and yell for help some more. Afterwards, no noise. It's OK. A beautiful, peaceful saturday afternoon in New Zealand. Nothing. The marshals will have seen me go down and will be waving their red flags furiously. Help is coming, danger is past. I sit up and remove my helmet and gloves. My left hand has obviously taken a big whack and hurts. I sit halfway up but can go no further. I'm really really sweaty. A bike goes past.

WHAT THE FUCK? Oh, shit, now we're in trouble. They've not seen me. They have no idea. Other riders are going to come blasting round the corner and hit my wreck. Shit, must warn. I shout some more. Wave, pathetically, it's all I can do. I'm not sure if my arm even extends out of the ditch. I hear another bike and do what little I can ... BWWAAAHHHdummmm, he sees what's happened and stops. Some commotion. I see a yellow gixxer heading back down the slope, finger on horn. Finally a marshall arrives, another rider arrives (the guy who binned in the morning, ironically) and I find myself explaining that I'll be fine and they should just chuck me in the trailer with the bike when the ute comes to pick it up. "We'll get the ambulance" says Tasman.

It arrives. Bent over I manage to struggle in and out of the corner of my eye spot my bike - a twisted tangle of metal where once there was an exhaust system - and someone collecting bits of plastic and metal off the road. We head back down the slope. The journey down takes very substantially longer than the one up.

[more coming]

[HornetBoy]

AH SHIT! Hope the bike is fixable :headbang: least you didnt suffer to much injuries,which by the sounds of it ,was pretty lucky.

[James Deuce]

OOoooooo Bucking Fuggrit!

[Sully60]

You're a lucky man to come away from crashing on that corner with very little injury, but it's all good luck so take it with both hands.

It was good to meet you on Saturday morning but I only managed to figure out who you where later that day.
Big respect for coming back and having a beveridge with us on Saturday night :2thumbsup:

[Devil]

First Trumpy and now you? There aren't going to be any Speed Four's left! (is this going to help my resale? ;))

Glad you're alive heh.

[trumpy]

Bummer Dave........must be something about yellow s4's..... Hope all's well with the body.

[RantyDave]

After some prodding and poking it became likely that I had cracked ribs, rather than broken, and a similar fate appeared to have befallen two fingers on my left hand. I was having difficulty breathing and this was getting worse rather than better as the bruising started to kick in and the adrenaline started to wear off. A steady stream of visitors assured me that my stuff was all in one place and that I was to chill and let them know if there's anything I need. After some apparently huge amount of time in the ambulance I finally managed to find it in me to struggle out and try to rejoin the real world.

Too much happened over the next several hours. Everyone was completely awesome. A nurse (who just happened to be there rather than actually being a nurse, if you see what I mean) asked some very pertinent questions and instructed those around me that I was not to be left alone. I finally managed to get hold of Rachel, my very excellent partner, and started the process of her hauling up from Wellington with a trailer. We all moved to the camp site and eventually it got to the point where I could move sufficiently to sit down and have a beer. And beer, as always, makes all things better.

Rach took me back to Wellington and left me to be x-rayed and diagnosed while she organised neighbours to unload the bike, removed our kids from where they were staying, picked me up again from ER and we all finally got to bed about midnight. And finally, drugged up to the eyeballs (sweet sweet Codeine) I managed to get to sleep.

So, final scores:

Road: One, Bike: Nil. It runs. The forks are twisted but not bent. Drew managed to ride it the 500 yards to the camp site and, being Drew, wanted to stunt it so it can't be that bad. The bad news is that the exhaust system is toast. The handlebars are kinda toast. The tank has a huge scrape. The back half of the bike - sissy bar, pack rack - twisted through about 20 degrees. The handlebars and switch gear are in a gross state. It's, kinda, scraped to fuck basically.

I'm insured, and insured for track days and timed events. Looking at my insurance paperwork, however, I was supposed to tell them I was going beforehand. Clearly I have some pleading to do and in a few weeks time I'll either be telling you all how insanely great Swann insurance are, or what utter tossers they are. We'll see how it pans out.

The hospital put me on ACC for a week, which would be fine except I'm self employed. I'm probably covered in some way but that doesn't help my poor clients who, after all, were paying me because they want some work done. I was off yesterday, I'll be off today, we'll see how it goes after that. Frankly it's really hard to stay awake when the Codeine kicks in, let alone write software.

My ribs are cracked and putting any force at all through them hurts like a bitch. I went to actually put the bike in the shed yesterday and couldn't even turn the handlebars. Oh well. Right now I'm pretty concerned about how I'm going to get to work and there's a very real possibility of working from home for a couple of weeks.

I do have a vague plan for buying another (probably temporary) bike.

The bike community ... you lot ... were completely amazing. I can't even start to say enough. In no particular order: The Tazman, Kendogs, Str8 Jacket, Sels1, Chanceyy, Koba, Drew, Flame, Lissa ... and more were all champion. Cliffhanger promotions, Gary, the Marshalls, were all deeply cool and perhaps more to the point obviously prepared for something exactly like this to happen.

One more thing I do want to write about is just how it's affected me. Nothing like you'd expect it to, basically. The most fucked up thing about the whole experience - the crash, the pain, potentially writing my bike off - is that it was worth it. Definitely. In one day I went from being someone who has not done that to being someone who has. When I'm an old man and sitting around bored I'll be able to remember that - the noise, the forces, the intense concentration, the totally totally mind fucking quantity of speed involved. That was me. I did that. I've also been living my life just a bit too afraid. Afraid of crashing. Afraid of business japes going wrong (done this before, sucks very much). And now ... I just feel better about it. I feel more able to enter into risks. I also feel better because I know I can push myself to 100% if I want to. I didn't button off and gently trundle up the hill - I gave it all I've got and the fact that it involved pushing to the wrong side of the line kinda doesn't actually matter. I also have a perverse sense of pride in having done this under the safest set of circumstances I could.

I'm going to go. There are six pills sitting on the table in front of me and they need to be swallowed. Another day of recovery, I'd better get on with it.

Thanks again to everyone who helped me out on Saturday. It's greatly appreciated.

Dave

[Str8 Jacket]

Good onya Dave! Excellent write up. That was a friggin fast corner where you binned it so you're a very lucky man! Was awesome to see you were OK and great that you managed to have a beer with us too! You've got a really great attitude to the whole thing and im sure everything will work out OK. Heal up and let us know if there is anything we can do to help mate! :2thumbsup

Oh yeah, if you run outta codiene, I have heaps and im willing to sell them to you at a very good price.... ;)

[James Deuce]

Nice big balls there Mr Dave.

[scracha]

I'm insured, and insured for track days and timed events. Looking at my insurance paperwork, however, I was supposed to tell them I was going beforehand. Clearly I have some pleading to do and in a few weeks time I'll either be telling you all how insanely great Swann insurance are, or what utter tossers they are. We'll see how it pans out.


What timed event? You crashed whilst having a bimble up the hill whilst the road was open to the general public didn't ya?

[HungusMaximist]

There's been a fair amount of bins just over the last week or so.

Anyway, get better soon!

[Str8 Jacket]

There's been a fair amount of bins just over the last week or so.

Anyway, get better soon!

Well it wasnt exactly under normal circumstances and it could have been alot worse so I dont think we should be judging anyone. We should be praising people for at least taking their racing to a closed road at an event that was set up to allow people to "push" themselves more than they would. We all knew the risks and Dave is hardly moaning about it and he's taken it all on the chin, so to speak.

[YellowDog]

Appreciate the excellent write up.

Can only sit back and admire such ability and achievements.

[skelstar]

Sorry to hear about ya crash dude... but you remember how it happened and that makes you a big show off! :p

Get well quick and good luck with Swann :niceone:

[Lissa]

I am just glad you are ok Dave.... had visions of you and Sean sharing a Hospital Room, swapping crash stories. Well you were walking after the accident, but I was kinda worried about your swagger.. but then again I am a worry wart. On you for giving the Cliff Hanger a go Dave, hope the bike and you get fixed up real soon. :)

[Deano]

Wow - what a write up, and what an attitude. Big ups to you Dave !!

[chanceyy]

Well written Dave ... & ppl only do wot they hope someone would do for them if the situation was reversed - good luck with the insurance and the healing

take care

[WRT]

Never thought I'd say this about a "my first bin" post, but that was . . . inspirational.

[bounce]

grief mate, glad to hear you came out of that ok(ish). Well written up too! Let us know how you get on with the insurers. I;m with the same crowd and will dig up the courage to try a track day at some point I am sure:yes:

[Trudes]

I'm so glad you're ok Dave, have to say, my heart dropped when I looked up the bike number that was called over the radio of the "rider down" and I saw it was you, but a relief to see you up and about soon after you got brought back to the pits. Ye live to ride another day, so Yahhh!:niceone:

[Mikkel]

Good thing you're here to write about it mate. :yes:

It was a good read - interesting story and great reflections.

I hope your recovery will be swift and uncomplicated. Drugs do wonders to make that process tolerable.
Hopefully the bike won't be too bad to fix up! Also, best of luck with dealing with the insurance company - sometimes they are flexible. There was a thread here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68513) with a guy who is with Star.

Cheers
Mikkel

[gijoe1313]

:gob: :sweatdrop Crikey! Glad to hear you came out of it okay-ish! Great write-up and it sounds like you've had some time to reflect on the whole experience. Thanks for sharing... :yes:

[RantyDave]

There was a thread here (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=68513) with a guy who is with Star.
Oh, now that sounds very optimistic!

Dave

[jrandom]

Oh, now that sounds very optimistic!

Yeah, Swann and Star are both companies who seem to be run by fairly good cunts.

I suspect that you'll be looked after.

Keep us up to date!

[Mikkel]

Oh, now that sounds very optimistic!

Dave

Cheer up Dave! You know what they say...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo

[LilSel]

Sorry to hear of ya bin, awesome write up tho!! hope your feeling better soon :hug:

[RantyDave]

Edited highlights. Note the extent of the damage to my leathers :)

[Clivoris]

Courage in spades Dave. Any one you walk away from is a good one.

[trumpy]

Oops, thought your bike was yellow! Dang, and I've just painted mine black too...

[Blossom]

What an awesome writeup Dave, You have such a great attitude. It really was quite inspirational and yeah its why we have bikes eh?
Anyway hope you and the bike are both feeling better soon. :doctor:

[Drew]

Where's my in to tell you to harden the fuck up? Well done mate, was a worry when we found out it was you, great to hear you're ok.

[wilber]

[QUOTE=Drew;1480043]Where's my in to tell you to harden the fuck up?

Yep that was good ,picture Dave walking very slowly and at a very offset angle towards the tents at campsite for a beer when Drew calls out ,everyone on deck of club house cracks up laughing ,Daves trying not to laugh almost falling over something was muttered back .
Is good to hear your feeling better mate .

[RantyDave]

Where's my in to tell you to harden the fuck up?
In eleven months and three weeks time when I'm being all soft about entering again.

Oh, you'll remember :)

Dave

[Kendog]

Thanks for sharing that Dave, was a really great read.

Here is your start on that fateful final run, you can see the determination in your face.

[Zuki Bandit]

Good to hear you are ok Dave!

[James Deuce]

.....you can see the determination in your face.

Shortly to be replaced by gravel.

[RantyDave]

Update: short term transport problems are solved :)

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=144151724

This way my better half can finally get her full; AND I can start to offset some of the velocity inflation!

Dave

[RantyDave]

Here is your start on that fateful final run, you can see the determination in your face.
OMG! Nerds on bikes! I totally need a tinted visor.

Dave

[ajturbo]

good to see you are alive matey....

when the delay in the bikes getting to the top.. i must admit i was getting a bit worried...

hope all works out with the insurance

[esir]

Good to see you've got a good sense of humour about the situation and most importantly OK - I really enjoyed the read - this will probably give me about the only straight S4 in Wellington, seems I'm not trying hard enough . . .

Hey I dont know if you are getting your bike straightened but there is a crowd out in Wainuiomata that Wellington Motorcycles uses for their repair work (or repaints if a customer wants a new bike in a different colour) so they musnt be that bad. (never used them myself so cant personally vouch for the workmanship). If you're interested I can try and remember who they are - I think I have it written down at home.

[RantyDave]

Hey I dont know if you are getting your bike straightened but there is a crowd out in Wainuiomata that Wellington Motorcycles uses for their repair work
Thanks, we'll see what the insurance people say. If they want to repair it, I'll just let them do what they want to do. If they want to write it off I'll investigate buying the "wreck" and building it back up to a significant proportion of it's former glory, but not necessarily 100%. The fuel tank strikes me as being the hard part. We'll see what happens...

Dave

[esir]

No worries - I investigated getting a Triumph tank fixed with a reasonable sized dent just a couple of weeks ago (not mine) and with new decals ,dent removed and repainted was quoted $500 - $550.

[RantyDave]

Just to update the thread: It appears Swann insurance have not only come to the party, but have bought beer and girls as well.

There were numerous delays to the procedure, none of which I really think can be laid at their door (bike shop rhymes with boato-dad). But, yeah, happy camper basically. Go the Swann :)

Dave

[jrandom]

Just to update the thread: It appears Swann insurance have not only come to the party, but have bought beer and girls as well.

They covered you for your crash at the Cliffhanger?

Jesus H. Christ.

I'm getting a Swann policy and taking my bike to the IOMTT!

:2thumbsup

[martybabe]

Very good write up dave, I was riding that baby with ya. shame about the bin but I'm glad your okish. Good lad, get well soon. :apint:

[Skunk]

Just to update the thread: It appears Swann insurance have not only come to the party, but have bought beer and girls as well.

There were numerous delays to the procedure, none of which I really think can be laid at their door (bike shop rhymes with boato-dad). But, yeah, happy camper basically. Go the Swann :)

Dave
Good stuff Dave. See you out and about on the Speed soon eh? Or do you need to wait 12 months for Motorad to repair it?

[RantyDave]

shame about the bin but I'm glad your okish.
Oh, I'm fine now, have been for ages. Actually, that's not quite true, I have somach ache but I think the two are unrelated.

Dave

[RantyDave]

See you out and about on the Speed soon eh? Or do you need to wait 12 months for Motorad to repair it?
Oh, god no, it's been written off. It's probably sitting in Motorad's workshop making it even more insanely cluttered than usual.

Dave

[Trudes]

They've probably mixed it up with someone elses bike and sent them the bill!
Glad you're doing good Dave!! Time to go shopping!!!!:woohoo:

[James Deuce]

B-King!! You know you want to!

[Drew]

B-King!! You know you want to!

Go read the oridinal post again man, he was filling his pants at speed four velocity, B-king power would have him die of shock.

Street triple all the way, or a 919 Hornet of course:scooter:

[RantyDave]

A street triple is, indeed, very tempting. As is a Monster 696. Not really a hornet although I'd be interested to see what one would be like before/after being Ohlins-ified.

I try to like the VTR250 for all it's marvellous handling and just plain evil lane splitting abilities but every now and then I have this shock realisation that it's ghey and I hate it. At least six months on the VTR will have me appreciating speed again without the need to go completelyfuckingnutsout from time to time. Maybe.

I'm also off to the States in about three months time. Bikes over there cost about half as much. Hmmmmm.

Dave

[Trudes]

A street triple is, indeed, very tempting. As is a Monster 696. Not really a hornet although I'd be interested to see what one would be like before/after being Ohlins-ified.

Dave

Dave, you can try my Hornet some time if you like.

[flame]

Good to hear your chomping at the bit to get on bigger cc's again Dave.

Be looking forward to seeing the new machine, when and what ever you choose to buy :)