The dangers of long sweeping corners and cyclists

**Lil_Byte** · 4th November 2006, 18:10

Well today was my first major bin. I was travelling between the Arrow junction and Lakes Hayes, for those who know the area. I was half way through a long sweeping corner travelling at a good steady 100 kph when a cyclist who I saw ahead stopped and proceeded to do a U turn in front of me he looked up just as I hit him. I was committed to my line and straightened up and tried to ride around him as there was no chance of braking in the distance I had. I clened out his front wheel and then proceeded to hit th deck myself.

I got up alright myself and headed back into the road to check him as he was in a heap in the middle of the road. He was breathing but unconciouss. Stopped cars and the rest is history.

The cyclist will live but has a few broken bones. I have grazes and a broken wrist. Thank god for good gear.

The bike is hurt, I haven't seen it properly as the police recovered it for me. My riding gear is stuffed, but it did what it was supposed to.

Just be careful on those bends we all love out there.

**topher** · 4th November 2006, 18:19

You're sounding remarkably calm considering the trauma, physical and mental, you've just been through. Could have been a much worse outcome though, good to hear you're OK. Hope the bike's repairable. Does the pushbiker have third party insurance?...

**crashe** · 4th November 2006, 18:20

shite mate... glad to hear that you are ok......

Is the cops gonna charge the cyclist?

**Grahameeboy** · 4th November 2006, 18:32

Originally Posted by crashe

shite mate... glad to hear that you are ok......

Is the cops gonna charge the cyclist?

Would he get a licence conviction though. He is a road user like all of us should be open to same rules and if he has a licence he should get pinged....or it gets held until he does.

If he has contents Insurance then he is insured.

**oldrider** · 4th November 2006, 18:46

You really have to watch out along that stretch of road, people seem to think they are the only ones in the world and are liable to do any goddamn thing without warning!
Bloody bad luck on the bike side but bloody good luck that you didn't sustain life threatening injuries.
You should be able to get a lift to the KB ride in at the shearers quarters at Rugged Ridges in December, if you can go.
No need to miss out just because you bent your bike!
Keep in touch. Cheers John.

**sunhuntin** · 4th November 2006, 18:46

*holds tongue*

damn...what a total bitch of a thing to happen! glad you came off ok....bike to be seen to yet. hopefully the damage isnt too bad.

**Mr. Peanut** · 4th November 2006, 19:04

Excellent effort on your part. There could have been 2 deaths today were it not for your quick action.

You have my respect.

**onearmedbandit** · 4th November 2006, 19:14

Damn, sorry to hear that mate, but glad you're okay. Good warning, but it's hard to ride sometimes like there's a dickhead around the next bend just waiting to take you out. Hopefully the cyclist pulls through ok so he can face the charges.

**sAsLEX** · 4th November 2006, 19:15

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

Would he get a licence conviction though. He is a road user like all of us should be open to same rules and if he has a licence he should get pinged....or it gets held until he does.

If he has contents Insurance then he is insured.

You can get done for DIC on a push bike I have heard so cant see why it would not apply to other charges

**gijoe1313** · 4th November 2006, 19:32

Crapola

Well done for trying to avoid a greater collision and thank gosh no-one was killed. Glad to hear you kit did it's job and you're able to post! Let's hope the cyclist pulls through okay too - now it's going to be a round of bother for you as stories are compared and the cops/insurance start to assign responsibility

Hope you get your ride back on the road soon!

**Lil_Byte** · 4th November 2006, 19:49

I have no idea on what the status of insurances and stuff are from the cyclists point.
The cop was bloody good though - has indicated that I am not at fault and the only witness has indicated that when I passed him I was sensible ond not caning it. I passed after we came out of a T intersection and I had been following him sedatley for quite a while before I passed safely.

He came around the corner I pranged on as I was skidding across the road.

Looking at the accident scene crash marekings by the police seem to put the point of impact just on the RHS of the centre line so it all looks promising from a who is to blame scenario.

It just shows though that you need to be careful. I know the patch of road well and know there are no hidden exits so never anticipated any problems, but you never know what is around the corner.

The best feeling of the lot though is knowing the other guy is not in danger. he will be bloody sore but it was better his front wheel was hit than me taking him square in the middle.

**Dadpole** · 4th November 2006, 20:14

At least you managed to clip the prick. If you had binned it without touching him, he would probably moan on about "the killer biker" and high speed being at fault.

**TonyB** · 4th November 2006, 20:24

Not good. This is turning into a bit of a crap weekend in terms of bad news. Glad to hear you're OK, and that the cyclist should be ok too. One thing though- don't just assume that because you were in the right it will turn out OK. Speaking from experience here...

**Motu** · 4th November 2006, 21:17

I had a close call with a couple of cyclists on the Kaipara 200 - I saw them up ahead two abreast and moved out to the centreline to give them plenty of room...and then they turned on me!!! I was locked up sideways and giving as much front brake as I could,it was looking a bloody nasty event with arms and legs and handle bars.As I pulled out all the stops of my experiance to save ourselves bearing down on these guys with howling tyres.....one of them gives me a big smile and a wave! Oh Jesus wept,I give up.Surely these guys drive cars and know the road rules,what the hell do they think when the get on a pushbike everyone has to give way to them?

**Silage** · 4th November 2006, 21:48

As Oldrider said, if you are not too sore, see if you can get a ride up to Otematata for the KB gathering in Dec. I was hoping there could be another GS there so they don't all keep going on about the scratches on mine but it would seem that is not going to be the case. Good to hear that you are OK - and your typing is impecable with one hand.

Be good to catch up with you if you can make it tho. Maybe prove there is one sane biker from Arrowtown.