Ow oww owww!

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 14th May 2010, 23:27

So tonight while commuting it home I was taking it nice and easy - not lane splitting, not going above the limit, not weaving in and out of lanes, trying to keep a good distance from the car in front of me - no funny business at all just commuting home.

Then, just as I got onto the nauranga gorge - and bugger! - the car in front stops so damn fast it belies reality.

Turns out later that that car has just been involved in a six car front to end smash. Suffice to say that there was very little warning (in terms of brake lights etc).

I managed to scrub off most of my speed but was about a couple of meters short - ended up hitting the back of the car in front at about 15-20kph or so and acting like a yoyo just before I came crashing back down.

Now - point to make here - I'm not looking for any feedback or any self righteous posters to tell me what I did wrong and how I could have done it all differently. Save it for yourselves. Reason for posting is that it hurts like a mother right now but I was glad I had all the gear on.

So with about two bottles of wine down my gullet (which were in my backpack and I'm happy to say that they survived) and a good dose of codeine I can tell you that the ATGATT thing works. I might be bruised as feck but it could have been a lot worse.

As I was braking so hard all the weight was at the front of the bike. Once I hit the car I must have gone forwards and upwards and kind of flipped with my upper part coming down first . I believe I came down hard on my right shoulder, side of helmet and left wrist (read near face plant).

Feck but shock is a funny thing. Couldn't breathe for a wee bit (heavily winded) and the ringing inside my head meant I couldn't hear properly either. Found myself on all fours in the middle of the lane. Luckily the van behind me managed to stop in time and didn't add to the carnage. Top blokes who wheeled my bike to the grass verge and later took it back to my house for me.

But, apart from a decent amount of heavy bruising, nothing seems to be broken and all limbs are still attached. Not even any road rash. My helmet is a write off, gloves saved my palms and leather jacket saved the right hand side of my torso.

Draggin jeans saved my knees from road rash but I wish I had been wearing my new knee protectors as the knees feel pretty bruised right now.

All in all I think myself as being pretty lucky. But if any riders out there are wondering about whether ATGATT, makes sense the answer is yes it does.

The only thing I couldn't prepare against was twanging my left testie on the way off the bike. I reckon it shot round a couple of times like a roulette ball before stopping. Only realised how much it hurt later on. I think I might start wearing a cup from now on hurhur.

Anyway- ATGATT it makes sense.

**kave** · 14th May 2010, 23:36

Keep a good eye on yourself tonight, adrenaline can hide the worst of your injuries and you may be suprised to discover injuries at a later stage. I was involved in a car vs bike and thought I got off without a scratch. Later I realised that my thumb no longer worked. When the pain actually arrived it was pretty nasty.

**madbikeboy** · 14th May 2010, 23:37

Good you're in one piece. ATFG,ATT

**Gone Burger** · 14th May 2010, 23:38

As I said before Ben - thank goodness you have walked away from this. Your lady is a lucky girl to have you home tonight and you are right - could have been so much worse. I was sitting at work watching the police and ambos rush past my window on the gorge, and heard that a bike was involved. I hoped like hell that whoever it was could walk away from it, and you have. Nothing you could have done here to change the situation as you say.

Rest up well, enjoy that wine (how gutted would you have been if you didn't have that to woff down), and heres to a speedy recovery. Poor bike, sounds like it too needs a good hug!

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 14th May 2010, 23:41

Originally Posted by kave

Keep a good eye on yourself tonight, adrenaline can hide the worst of your injuries and you may be suprised to discover injuries at a later stage. I was involved in a car vs bike and thought I got off without a scratch. Later I realised that my thumb no longer worked. When the pain actually arrived it was pretty nasty.

Ta for that it is damn good advice - which the ambos also told me to keep an eye on. I've decided that self medication is the way to go tonight. It seriously hurts like I've taken a right kicking but I want to put off the pain until tomorrow. Tomorrow I am predicting excessive groaning while lying on the couch watching TV. The forecast for sunday looks much the same.

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 14th May 2010, 23:46

Originally Posted by Katiepie

As I said before Ben - thank goodness you have walked away from this. Your lady is a lucky girl to have you home tonight and you are right - could have been so much worse. I was sitting at work watching the police and ambos rush past my window on the gorge, and heard that a bike was involved. I hoped like hell that whoever it was could walk away from it, and you have. Nothing you could have done here to change the situation as you say.

Rest up well, enjoy that wine (how gutted would you have been if you didn't have that to woff down), and heres to a speedy recovery. Poor bike, sounds like it too needs a good hug!

Thanks Katie. Funny thing is that two of the cars were fully written off but the silly biker who was at the back (me) makes the headlines (so to speak). I think I got off pretty lightly and thank my lucky stars for sure.
My missus is being a star and keeping a wary eye on me but she has already said that she understands if I want to carry on with my favourite hobby (I think she is just trying to get rid of me lol).

**Gone Burger** · 14th May 2010, 23:48

Originally Posted by wild_weston

Thanks Katie. Funny thing is that two of the cars were fully written off but the silly biker who was at the back (me) makes the headlines (so to speak). I think I got off pretty lightly and thank my lucky stars for sure.
My missus is being a star and keeping a wary eye on me but she has already said that she understands if I want to carry on with my favourite hobby (I think she is just trying to get rid of me lol).

she sounds like a keeper Ben!

**scooute** · 14th May 2010, 23:53

Glad to hear you are Ok, nothing worse than having no way out even when your doing everything right, been there done that and hurts like hell, enjoy the self medication and I hope the next couple of days arent too uncomfortable for you!!!!

**bittertwistedcute** · 14th May 2010, 23:54

Glad you are in one (uncomfortable) piece but this

Originally Posted by kave

Keep a good eye on yourself tonight, adrenaline can hide the worst of your injuries and you may be suprised to discover injuries at a later stage. I was involved in a car vs bike and thought I got off without a scratch. Later I realised that my thumb no longer worked. When the pain actually arrived it was pretty nasty.

is a great post to bear in mind
Good luck with the healing

**oldrider** · 14th May 2010, 23:57

You done good just staying alive, hope you get over it quick and with minimum stress and cost!

**GOONR** · 14th May 2010, 23:58

Glad you're still walking and talking fella.

You may well ache like a fucker when you wake up in the morning... More booze and codeine recommended.

**motor_mayhem** · 14th May 2010, 23:59

I saw all the cars on the side of the road as I was coming up the gorge, didn't see you there though, usually keep a look out for bikes. I think the roads seem to be the worst when there has just been enough rain to wet them and it mixes as a fine paste (as opposed to surface water etc) so really slippery. Hope that's the only close call you are unfortunate enough to be involved in this year. Take it easy

**IdunBrokdItAgin** · 15th May 2010, 00:07

Originally Posted by motor_mayhem

I saw all the cars on the side of the road as I was coming up the gorge, didn't see you there though, usually keep a look out for bikes. I think the roads seem to be the worst when there has just been enough rain to wet them and it mixes as a fine paste (as opposed to surface water etc) so really slippery. Hope that's the only close call you are unfortunate enough to be involved in this year. Take it easy

Yeah the light rain was fully in my mind when I slammed the anchors on. I didn't want to slide but I didn't want to hit the car in front either. Damn sods law all round, if only etc etc but best not to dwell on those thoughts and just accept it and learn from the (rather painful) experience I say.

On a different point funniest thing of the whole situation was a cyclist who was coming up the gorge complaining how me and the policeman were in his way and being inconsiderate. Damn tosser. The policeman took it in his stride (those guys have to put up with an awful lot of crap) but if I was him I would have tazered the bastard just for giggles.