How does one "Prepare for the unexpected"?

**Funkyfly** · 15th July 2004, 15:42

Sounds like a contradiction in terms to me but apparently thats what i need to do when riding a bike.

PLease help me out here guys.

When i ride i find i can only "prepare" for a limited number of things.

I.e if im coming around a sweeper i prepare 1) for loose gravel by not riding at 100% of my ability, i also get ready to stand the bike up. i hunt the road for sings of recent road works and loose chip

2) at the same time im looking trying to look for oncoming traffic that maybe a danger. This gets pretty hard when theres a whole line of 10-20 cars.

3) Then i prepare for a mech failure buy covering the clutch and brake. my mind on edge waiting for the rear to lock up

4)on top of this im also trying to cover my rear end in case someone attempts rearends me.

along with just these 4 things i have to look thru the apex picking my line

Now i have read keith codes "twist of the wrist 2". And there was something in there that he mentioned that leads me to believe you cant "prepare" for everything, let alone the unexpected - do you guys remember reading it?

**duckman** · 15th July 2004, 15:51

It's not as complicated as you might think. I have been following the "other" thread and can see both sides of the discussion.

I think it's rediculous to think that you can "prepared" for any event which might come your way, but, You can and should be in state of readiness at all times on a bike.

I think this just means being alert and taking all the usual precautions like:

Wear your gear (that means all of it)
Watch out for cars - They aren't looking for you
Keep your bike in good working order
Dont ride drunk, stoned, or angry

You know that sort of thing. Waddya think??

**Cajun** · 15th July 2004, 15:55

The way i look at it, everything dukeman,

but don't put 100% in to corners, ever, if first time you rode them today maybe 70% if second or more time that day up to 90% but also have the little bit there to help get yourself out of trouble.

But then isn't this one of the things riding bikes the thrill of going around corners, that we don't know whats on other side, some of us might not say it is, but thats its most of times fun riding new roads.

or something like that

**Mongoose** · 15th July 2004, 15:57

Originally Posted by Cajun

But then isn't this one of the things riding bikes the thrill of going around corners, that we don't know whats on other side, some of us might not say it is, but thats its most of times fun riding new roads.

or something like that

If you wanna do that, why not just ride on the wrong side of the road around blind corners?

**Cajun** · 15th July 2004, 15:58

blah you know what i mean, not that bad.

**Motoracer** · 15th July 2004, 15:58

Well said Duckman and Bananaman

**Cajun** · 15th July 2004, 15:59

hmmmm i might change that bannaman before it sticks

**6Chris6** · 15th July 2004, 16:02

Originally Posted by Funkyfly

Sounds like a contradiction in terms to me but apparently thats what i need to do when riding a bike.

PLease help me out here guys.

When i ride i find i can only "prepare" for a limited number of things.

I.e if im coming around a sweeper i prepare 1) for loose gravel by not riding at 100% of my ability, i also get ready to stand the bike up. i hunt the road for sings of recent road works and loose chip

2) at the same time im looking trying to look for oncoming traffic that maybe a danger. This gets pretty hard when theres a whole line of 10-20 cars.

3) Then i prepare for a mech failure buy covering the clutch and brake. my mind on edge waiting for the rear to lock up

4)on top of this im also trying to cover my rear end in case someone attempts rearends me.

along with just these 4 things i have to look thru the apex picking my line

Now i have read keith codes "twist of the wrist 2". And there was something in there that he mentioned that leads me to believe you cant "prepare" for everything, let alone the unexpected - do you guys remember reading it?

Feck!!

Talk about takin the fun out of riding, shit, lets all sell all of our vehicles and work from home, preferably from under the table.

I do agree it's not a good idea to ride at 10-10ths, and in traffic i often have my thumb covering the horn and my fingers resting on the brakes.
But like you say you can't prepare for everything

**Mongoose** · 15th July 2004, 16:03

Originally Posted by Cajun

blah you know what i mean, not that bad.

Oooops, a bit OTT you reckon, boredoom of nowt to do setting in.

me then, go on, dare ya

**Cajun** · 15th July 2004, 16:04

Cajun

moongoose

you dared me

you double dared me

**F5 Dave** · 15th July 2004, 16:08

Haven’t read this ‘other’ thread, but safety studies (like the fabled Hurt report) have shown a large amount of riders freeze do nothing in an emergency situation.

Ok try these exercises.

What would happen if the person in front hit something, like an oncoming car?

Can you stop that quickly? When was the last time you practiced braking to a stop from 100 kph?

Where is the ‘escape’ route if the person behind you can’t stop in time? (this includes another bike). A while back I had to stop well-quick to avoid a turning car, a friend was beside me & another -riding my other bike- was closing too quickly.

I could just see the insurance claim trying to explain that one!

but I had the bike in gear saw the problem & got out of the way.

What if someone pulls out in front of you?

What if that insecure load blows off the back of that ute?

What if every other driver on the road is an incompetent homicidal maniac?

**Mongoose** · 15th July 2004, 16:09

Originally Posted by Cajun

Cajun

moongoose

you dared me

you double dared me

That was not a doube dare!!
Or maybe I should have been prepared for it

Back to the original question. You get you one of them there crystal ball thingies, that would be a great start

?

**Cajun** · 15th July 2004, 16:14

True mongoose

6Chris6 those are some good points, i noticed when i was riding in rush hour traffic in auckland the other week, my hands were always over the brakes, only had to use the horn once the whole week which i was amazed about (silly dumb orclander yuppy in his bmw, decided he couldn't see a bright yellow motorbike and leathers)

F5 dave i like that with all the bikes i have at home, i know how well they stop from 50 100 and 150km/h

and how fast they can go in the first 3 gears

I know about watching what is ahead of you had a truck tire blow out right in front of me and just about take my head off. My wife had a bit of rubber on the road flick up and hit her shoulder cause she moved so it didn't hit her head flicked up by a car by being aware

What if every other driver on the road is an incompetent homicidal maniac? I ride like everyone in a tin top is out to get me, and can't see me

**Funkyfly** · 15th July 2004, 16:15

No one has yet mentioned what Keith Code noted in his book.

This is a great book that you should try REAL hard to get a copy of.

Hint - it has to do with money!