First crash

[Old Steve]

Best advice I got from this site once I started riding (at the age of 61) was:

Every other vehicle on the road is out to kill you.

Its amasing how defensively I ride now. For instance, coming up to a car parked on the roadside I check to see if there's a driver in the car, if so is the engine running, I fade wide so I'm clear of any opening door, if the engine is running I then keep a watch on the front wheels in case they turn (i.e. the car is going to pull out on me).

You're going to end up paranoid of other motorists but thats the price of safe riding.

Sorry to hear about your off, and I hope you get up the courage to ride again.

Illigitimous Nil Carborundum (don't let the bastards wear you down).

[kilgh]

Whoa! I thought I was a late beginner! 61! You give me hope Old Steve.


Sorry about the accident Hotkebab. Even in my car I assume everyone is out to get me. Saw some freakish behaviour on tonight's ride. Car was on the complete wrong side of road ahead of me driving along....needless to say stayed well back from them!

Heal well, and then take your anxiety out on that kick bag.

[DrunkenMistake]

Sorry to hear about the crash,
Dont let one incident deter you from riding,
Think of it as a really shitty learning point, intersections mainly give ways I treat as if they are always going to go, like said above, you have to think everyone is out to get you, I managed to ride up the back end of a car at a great deal of speed,
lack of concentration was to blame, but I felt rather similar, scares the shit out of me thinking of it, but it helped me keep my concentration up strangely, I get itchy when I follow cars now though but I used to tail gate and its made me ride with safe distance.
Do a little google research, and do a defensive riding coarse or a ride right coarse, might just boost your confidence :]

[p.dath]

Two weeks ago I had my first collision with another vehicle on the road.... I don't know what I did wrong ... I felt so powerless lying there on the concrete ... I'm having second thoughts about riding and I'm afraid to even travel in a car, intersections have been freaking me out since I came home from the hospital....
Once I heal up I'm going to be attending every defensive driving course in the area, buy heavier motorcycle armour and ride in groups until I build up the confidence to ride alone again....

You've experienced a nasty shock. And that's reasonable. You've suddenly learned how frail the human body is, and how much pain hurts.

Give yourself a little bit of time, and I think some perspective might return to your thinking. Your view has temporarily shifted to the extreme, where everything to do with the road seems dangerous. Yes there is danger, but there is risk in everything - walking down the street, going to work, lying in bed ...

The idea of getting additional education is a great idea (it is always a great idea, weather you have had an accident or not). I would see if there is any advanced rider training in your area, but failing that, find a mentor - someone with a lot of road riding experience - that can help you reach the next level in your riding.

Keep your chin up, and don't dwell on negative thoughts that are not constructive. Make sure you keep your mind on positive things.

[z500nz]

Hope you're healing well.

As the others say - get defensive driving tuition, anticipate other drivers actions ahead of you, and get more visible with a quality fluoro jacket! It can make a difference during the day, and most effective at night!

[Quasi]

Hey - not good to hear about your adventure, but treat it as a learning experience. I am sure once you are a little more recovered from your injuries, you will remember all the great things about riding that drew you to it in the first place.
As so many have said - I treat every other vehicle out there on the road as though it is out to get me. (Thanks Katman)

Heal well and fast and ride when you are ready.

[cheshirecat]

This is a despatch rider on his way to work. he's out in the country and I'd consider that traffic jam easy. I used to be a London DR (like katman) where the pace is a trifle quicker and we'd be doing this 10/12 hours a day 5 days a week. Take a close look at his head movements, positioning and careful pacing. He anticipates every situation and vehicle whilst maintaining an even rythm, controlling (very important) the vehicles around him - not fast but not slow. I wouldn't reccommend this kind of riding starting off or if at all. just use it for his observation. There was an old phrase for beginner DRs in London called 'gone by lunchtime' such was the attrition rate and not a long term carear path. Although we all had the occasional 'incident' the accident rate amongst the more experienced riders was very low considering our on road time and traffic density although everyone in our Co ended up in hospital at some stage and three were killed. I only had three falls in three years, two of which when stationary - I was lucky!
DR commute

[Brian d marge]

This is a despatch rider on his way to work. he's out in the country and I'd consider that traffic jam easy. I used to be a London DR (like katman) where the pace is a triffle quicker and we'd be doing this 10/12 hours a day 5 days a week. Take a close look at his head movements, positioning and careful pacing. He anticipates every situation and vehicle whilst maintaining an even rythm, controlling (very important) the vehicles around him - not fast but not slow. I wouldn't reccomend this kind of riding starting off or if at all. just use it for his observation. There was an old phrase for beginner DRs in London called 'gone by lunchtime' such was the attrition rate and not a long term carear path. Although we all had the occasional 'incident' the accidnt rate amongst the more experienced riders was quite low considering our on road time and traffic density. I only had three falls in three years, two of which were when stationary!
DR commute

Ahhh the weather ..lovely summers morning ! ( not ) ...as he said , why would you take the car ....brings back a lot of Memories that did

I have often thought of seeing if I could do It again Just as a holiday ..just for kicks

Stephen

[Katman]

This is a despatch rider on his way to work.

Ahh, memories.

Anyone keen?

[cheshirecat]

Ahhh the weather ..lovely summers morning ! ( not ) ...as he said , why would you take the car ....brings back a lot of Memories that did

I have often thought of seeing if I could do It again Just as a holiday ..just for kicks

Stephen

Yes I miss those kicks - never thought I'd hear my self say it though. Have to hold my self back these days in traffic and it all seems a bit tame in Welly. One would really stand out and probably get 555'd by the self rightious left right and center.

[cheshirecat]

Ahh, memories.

Anyone keen?

Deep joy, remember those late night long distance jobs in that stuff?

[Brian d marge]

Ahh, memories.

Anyone keen?

Me I made Money!!!!!

Stephen

[Brian d marge]

. One would really stand out and probably get 555'd by the self rightious left right and center.

I wouldn't make it to the end of the street ,,,,,,

Stephen

[Katman]

Me I made Money!!!!!

Stephen

Most of the English riders managed to find excuses to take those sorts of days off.

It left plenty of work for the hardy Kiwi, Aussie and S.A. riders.

[oneofsix]

Most of the English riders managed to find excuses to take those sorts of days off.

It left plenty of work for the hardy Kiwi, Aussie and S.A. riders.

Typical, leave it to the colonies to do the job. When the going gets hard the English go to tea.