Exhaust Fumes

[SlashWylde]

OK folks, here's a little anecdote I thought I might share with you all in the name of safety and longevity:

Ranzer and I left the Taupo track day last Sunday at about 15:00 to ride back to Auckland. It rained sporadically throughout the trip and shortly after leaving Taupo we ended up sitting behind a couple of 3 to 4 tonne lorries. Well these clunkers were a bit on the sooty side but I diddn't think much of it and since they were averaging over 90kph in the pouring rain I didn't have any real desire to pass them.

After a while I started to feel a bit drowsy and innatentive, but I put it down to the crappy sleep I got the night before in the motel bunk. The feeling kept getting worse and I thought "man, this isn't good. I should pull over or something" but doggedly kept on going.

Thankfully a passing lane opened up and they slowed down a bit which made it worth passing so Ranzer overtook them and I followed suit.

Well blow me down if in the next five minutes I diddn't freshen-up and get a clear head! "Shit!" I thought, it must have been the CO from the truck fumes putting me to sleep.

When we got to Tokoroa we stopped at a BP & I grabbed a cup of coffe to perk me up a bit then carried on, doing 1 hour runs, then stopping for 5 mins to stretch the legs.

It's quite scary now that I think about it. I guess we were behind those trucks for about 3/4 of an hour? My eyelids were fully closing and I was obviously so stupified that I diddn't realise what was happening and that I definately should have pulled over for a breather.

Just another trap to be wary of.

-SW

[froggyfrenchman]

Yup, thats a nasty trap alright. only ever got me once. Was raining real hard, so i was riding in the slipstream of the truck to stay dry (driver knew i was there) After bout 20 mins i was feeling sick and falling asleep!

[SlashWylde]

Oooh bugger! so it IS something to watch out for....

[DemonWolf]

Ìndeed.. Good advice SlashWylde.

When you are feeling drowsie, tired, or inatentive.. then you should pull over as soon as possible for a breather. It can creep up on you without you consciously knowing it.. which is why you should always know what the signs are..

[SlowHand]

After reading this, I am much enlightened. A public appology goes to all behind me at trackday lining up to hit the track. Didnt mean to affect your concentration. Except for you big bikes burgling us in the slow group, you deserve all the smoke my bike can shoot out. You know who you are.

[T.W.R]

yep thats a sure thing chewing your way to noddyland sitting behind a truck on a wet day, the CO & heavy moisture laden air combine to make a deadly mix.

[Brett]

yep, been caught by this too, something to watch out for!

[Pixie]

Next time go back via poihipi rd and owairaka valley rd.
If you are particularly unlucky you might see a dozen other vehicles in the whole trip.

[sunhuntin]

was thinking about that yesterday...due to lack of power i got stuck behind trucks pretty much the whole way to and from palmerston nth. kept weaving slightly and stayed well back till i could pass.

[MSTRS:Me]

Man, that is scary. Have never had it happen to me (at least as far as ICR). Will tuck that bit of advice away in the old subconscious. Thanks for posting it.

[bugjuice]

yeah, makes me feel sick. And cars that are burning up oil too..

In the wet, I really wouldn't want to be stuck behind a truck. Much rather be in the face of it, in the clear rain, instead of the road spray. Often over-exaggerates how hard it's actually raining

[ZeroIndex]

thanks for that advice, I'm sure it will come in handy

[Korea]

Well, I haven't choked on fumes but I've been splattered by poos behind a cattle truck. Kind of smelly...

[sunhuntin]

actually noticed that at work today when it poured.....the petrol on the forecourt really started to make themselves known....i work next to an open window when im behind the till, so any fumes waft straight in....was the first time ive truly noticed that.

[Motoracer]

Once when I was driving my van, long distance, I forgot to put the batterie lid back on. This meant that a part of the engine bay was exposed to the interior. I did notice the fumes but didn't take much notice to it. As you said, after a while, I started feeling drowsy and before I knew it, I was coming close to falling asleep on the wheel.

After realising what had happened, I quickly opened the window and all of a sudden I was awake and fresh again!