Another newbie scorned by gravity.

[zeocen]

Well, that was a humbling experience, I just crashed. Yay.

For the South Auckand people, I was heading up Grand Vue Road coming up to the primary school and row of shops..

I'm still learning and I don't like to go fast, especially on wet loose gravil, but the other cars behind me didn't seem to think so.
I was putting along at a modest 50kmph or so when 2 cars come up behind me and one of them erradicly starts tooting to I assume was me, now, being a learner I was already as far left as I could go so anyone could pass, but no, they would rather toot and ride up the ass of a bike with an L plate riding up, I got kinda spooked since he was VERY close, so I ended up going about 55 - 60.. queue loose wet gravel on corner where I was already damn close to the curb trying to allow these (now) 3 cars behind me.

Not quite sure what happened next, I breaked lightly and progressivly up to the corner, tried to move away from the curb with this maniac tooting at me from behind then *skiiiid* goes the front wheel for a split second, by then it was too late.. not enough experience to not think about what I have to do.. so I hit the curb and take a dive.

Left indicator came off, gear peddle is bend almost all the way in making it impossible to now change gears.

I was very lucky, I don't even know how since the bike's damage is on the left, but my right leg has a few soon-to-be battlescars but other than that I'm alright.

What pisses me off the MOST though, is that when I looked back up, I saw all 3 cars driving off into the distance. Way to go new zealand traffic, or is it just south auckland? :/
Anywho~ I pushed/rode it back to my house which thankfully was downhill most of the way and came back to think about what I have done.

Was this my fault? I'm pretty sure it was.. but people tailgating me and tooting just wasn't called for I don't think, I gave them ample room to pass. Oh well, live and learn.

Has this put me off biking for good? Fuck, no. It was a rookie mistake, I'll learn how to corner better later in life, I'm stoaked my limbs work and that I have insurance. The second my bike is fixed I'm going back out there, just a bit humbled.

Sorry, longer post than I first imagined, I hope someone can shed light on what I did wrong (apart from not being able to think fast enough hehe).

Cheers

[emaN]

you didn't do anything wrong...it's dipshit nz drivers who still haven't put two & two together (ie - schools and kids; yes it's holidays, but you never know!).

my advice; do not ride in the left of your lane. dominate your lane; occupy it; make em realise you ain't budging.

potentially, if you ride way over on the left, they will try and squeeze past - endangering you & oncoming traffic. Make 'em do a lane change to get past you.

I use a scooter for commuting (saves getting the RF out) and do this. If you're going the limit, there's no reason to budge.

Sucks big time that none of them stopped...twats.

[Squeak the Rat]

Zeocen,

I just type almost exactly what emaN just said:
---------------------------------------------

I've been tailgated on a bike a couple of times and it is my least favourite experience when biking - so you aren't alone there. I'm not sure what was going on in the minds of these idiots.....

What I would say though is don't ride on the very left of the lane. You should ride just to the right of the center of your lane. Don't encourage cars to share it with you or they will force you into the curb.

If you really want them to pass indicate, move over, and slow down.

Anyway, glad you are ok and great attitude mate.

[MidnightMike]

The same thing happened to me on monday ( cept i didnt crash )

I was in a 100k k zone going about 85 - 90 ( all the voltinator could do into the wind )

Next thing i know i have on car full of dickheads blasting past me and a big truck up my ass getting as close a possible.

I think its the L plate.

Wankers.

[skelstar]

Bummer mate. Do you have an 'L'-plate on your bike? This bright peice of decoration usually ellicits this type of attention from motorists. Get a bit more confident and ditch the plate to be honest.

Awesome thread title BTW. Green coming your way.

[zeocen]

Yeah my BHS instructor said to stick left if you're on learners because chances are you won't be going the speed limit, I was going around 40 - 50 initially, I always make a note of whats on the other side of the road incase people can't pass me.

But yeah, really sucks.. without a bike for a while I suppose. If it was just scratches to the fairings that'd be cool but it had to shove the gear pedal right in to make it unridable

/edit - Oops while I was posting other people had posted hehe, It seems the general concensus is that riding on the far left = bad, I'll definately keep that in mind, thanks guys

[Sniper]

Sorry to hear about the off dude. Next time just stop in the middle of the road. Get off the bike and tell them that you pay fucken registration costs too and that they should go screw their sister or something.

[John Banks]

The only thing you did wrong was take crap from pricks in cages. Next time you need to learn how to take one hand off the bars, move it around and give them the finger.

Of course there were things you could have done differently if you were more experienced, but I think everyone can say that. You're still learning and don't need pressure from anyone else on the road being a dick. Next time just ignore them. They can wait.

[BeakerRAT]

Arrhh hard luck! Bastard's didn't even stop, what's this country coming to? I agree with eMan, stick to your lines, if you are feeling pressured just wait until there's a safe option to pull over and let them pass. Sounds like a combination of things went wrong, when you've got arseholes like that up ya date it's understandable to get nervous and then tense up. From there it only takes one thing to go wrong and it becomes a domino effect.

At least you're ok.

[Str8 Jacket]

The only advise I can give you is to lose the L plate. You'll find people will leave you alone if you do. I remember starting a thread in my newbie days titled "Does L really mean loser"? Cause as soon as I lost my L plate cage drivers stopped tailgating and trying to intimidate me! Also never pull over or worry about cars behind you when you are doing the speed limit, stay in the right of the lane and keep riding. If they want to pass you than thats up to them, just dont let them intimidate you....

[Macktheknife]

You could try bending the lever back out again. Bummer to hear about the off tho mate, always own the lane you are in. If you let the cagers intimidate you like that then you will always feel like a second class road user. If they want to pass let them but dont sacrifice your own safety for it.
Good luck with the repairs.

[eliot-ness]

First, and only mistake was to let the bastard intimidate you. You are under no obligation to ride in the gutter, L plates or not. Control the lane you are driving in by keeping to the left hand wheel tracks of the car in front or in the centre of the lane. Your positioning should be such that the driver of the car in front can always see you in his mirrors. It's up to following traffic to find a safe place to overtake, not for you to put yourself at risk trying to make it easy for them. If you think someone is following too close dab lightly on the rear brake pedal to operate the brake lights. That usually encourages them to drop back.

[zeocen]

You could try bending the lever back out again.

Yeah I gave that a go, to no avail, it's bent in a pretty weird shape sadly. I have full coverage so thing's aren't *too bad*

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys.

[snuffles]

i say arseholes to them.

occupy lane and stick to speed limit, I would leave the plate on until you feel confident, it at least allows the decent drivers to be aware that you are a learner.

get a high vis jacket....... works for me.

[Squeak the Rat]

While I personally have been known to follow the advice of some above regarding the abuse of fellow motorists, I would not recommend it. You should remember two things before considering that course of action:

1. You are a learner, if they go psycho and try to take you out you may have trouble outrunning them and living to tell the story.
2. You live in South Auckland, refer to point 1