BIGBOSSMAN vs Raptor

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Me, Eviltwin and Biggles08 did the Coro Loop run yesterday and a rather unfortunate incident occurred on the Miranda shortcut to Waitakaruru.
A hawk flew across the road, bounced off my fairing and slammed into my shoulder.
I immediately turned my head (thankfully on a straight bit of road) to avoid the bird knocking my block off, but as I straightened my helmet to face the road I realised I had a new and unfortunate passenger.
The poor thing had wedged itself between my arm and chest, and I had talons and wings everywhere. It was pretty much intact (see photos), but it was as dead as a doornail.
It took me about 5 minutes to catch up with the guys, it felt more like a bird funeral procession as I slowed down to 50kmh and relayed my story to the boys.
Suffice to say I wasn't exactly happy about the death, these are beautiful creatures and I'd just snuffed its life out.
Other than a small crack in on my centre top fairing my shoulder has a bit of a bruise, but I wish I'd been a few seconds early or later.
Bloody shit isn't it?

[Maha]

And i thought getting hit by a bee at speed hurt, lucky it didnt survive, it may have flown away with ya!...

[007XX]

Oh man, what a shame...I agree with you, they're awesome and I always try to keep away from them on the road. But it's bloody hard sometimes.

Good thing it didn't lead to an accident for you though...

[BIGBOSSMAN]

And i thought getting hit by a bee at speed hurt, lucky it didnt survive, it may have flown away with ya!...

Yeah, lucky I'm a big fucker or it may have been a different story. Where's that pie??!!

[Sparky Bills]

They got some weight behind them aye!
I had a hawk hit me direct in the chest one night. Knocked the wind right out of my sails!

[Colapop]

Shoulda taped it's feet to your lid for one last flight!!

[McJim]

It's called evolution. In a few generations time these birds will fly AWAY from oncoming traffic. This has happened to some extent with hedgehogs in the UK. BAck in the sixties the average hedgehog's reaction to a car was to roll into a ball. Didn't work. Now they scarper to the edge of the road at the sound of an internal combustion engine.

We don't give nature enough credit for adaptation.

[Scouse]

Your lucky that it was only a small one

[MD]

Copy cat crime.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...highlight=hawk

Could have been worse BBM. You could have struck an endangered fish! Or big bird from Sesame St - now that would hurt.

I know what you mean though. Beautiful looking bird.

[saul]

Bummer mate

[BIGBOSSMAN]

Thanks guys, I'd have given anything to avoid killing the hawk, but not my safety. RIP birdy...

[Cr1MiNaL]

bummer Gary...how r the coro roads looking..? Im keen to ride it soon...

[BIGBOSSMAN]

bummer Gary...how r the coro roads looking..? Im keen to ride it soon...

Hey Raj, the Coro looks to be in mint condition - esp the run from Kopu - Hikuai. Practically no roadworks until you cross to Coromandel Township, there's a few on the Thames coast road (and watch out for bulls on the side of the road!)