First stack.

**Gubb** · 25th January 2008, 19:00

Originally Posted by RantyDave

I dunno, man, sounds pretty good to me. Once the rear's in the air the brake's not going to make any difference - it's the people who forget the front exists that are in trouble, you would be laughing about it if you'd done it that way round.

True, I just figured that if I had controlled the braking a little more then the rear wouldn't have lifted, and I may have been able to save it.

No such thing as too much practice though.

Originally Posted by fireball

i do believe we were chatting about emergency breaking on wednesday night how you have never had to.... did ya learn? ha ha ha

but really hope you heal up quick and come play again soon was a good wee ride the other night with you!
glad to hear the bike is ok, now go convince the missus she needs a bike!!!

Guess we jinxed it huh?

She was hesitant to start with, this will set her back even more now, although she has seen, and understands my passion for two wheels, so hopefully it won't be too long before she comes around. Then again, one of the cool things about bikes is their 'exclusivity' and how the 'general public' doesn't understand it.

**ElCoyote** · 25th January 2008, 19:16

Originally Posted by mitchilin

Bling awarded on proper grammar and spelling alone.Never mind the parody of the Mortiens ad,

Hey, I have got to second that, there is not enough of it on any forum but...........following a bin, priceless. I could extrapolate further but I think you get the gist.

**Swoop** · 25th January 2008, 19:31

Originally Posted by Hubba Gubba

Lessons learned:
it's hard to wipe with one hand.

You normally wipe with both hands??

**Luckylegs** · 25th January 2008, 19:39

Damm, bugger dude, what they all said.....

**Gubb** · 25th January 2008, 19:45

Originally Posted by Swoop

You normally wipe with both hands??

Heh, give it a try one day, using only your non-dominant hand, with no leverage whatsoever from your other arm. It's tricky.

**Fub@r** · 25th January 2008, 19:53

Originally Posted by mitchilin

Bling awarded on proper grammar and spelling alone.

+ bling for typing all that with a busted hand!

See you on the Coro Loop in 6-8 weeks Hubba

**Luckylegs** · 25th January 2008, 19:59

Originally Posted by Hubba Gubba

...True, I just figured that if I had controlled the braking a little more then the rear wouldn't have lifted, and I may have been able to save it. No such thing as too much practice though.

Originally Posted by Fub@r

...See you on the Coro Loop in 6-8 weeks Hubba

...Be on the lookout for a Holden Commodore in Whitianga.... They're good for practicing that sort of thing

**Xaria** · 25th January 2008, 20:34

Awesome write up of your accident. Get a screen saver of a nasty storm so you can see that and not think about the great weather outside...

**madbikeboy** · 25th January 2008, 20:41

Hey, really good write up.

A couple of salient thoughts about your post, some of these could apply to more than the newbies.

Very few people spend time practising the basic stuff - the brake is the most powerful force on the bike (you can decelerate faster than you can accelerate 99% of the time). Learning to be progressive with the brake and how much brake is important for the road - reading the road surfaces and conditions, and developing the ESP required for riding also takes time. I've been on two wheels pretty much all my life, and I've crashed too - I reckon mountain biking is the ultimate way to upskill - it's relatively low speed, and the skills are transferable. Or a motox bike, although more damage/speed.

I've crashed enough to know that you can wipe your own butt with one hand. Just shuffle a little to get the position right. Breaking ribs is worse, especially lower ones - bowel movements really hurt. And compound fractures are cool since you get big scars.

So, the girlfriend. This is the tough bit - you need to balance your freedom to do stuff that puts you at risk, with the fears and concerns of your life partner. It's tough to get this right. Good communication is key. The other thing, if you have a really trusted mate who could 2up your partner - do a ride to mission bay in the summer. Something really slow and gentle, and get her to understand that it's a good vibe. There really is no easy answer for this. It's a time and confidence thing for her.

The reality is that we ride and we are at risk. Make sure that your affairs are in order, (get a will), and get life insurance - this is a basic responsibility to the people you care about.

I'd also suggest that you take an advanced riding course, there's lots around, and spend time on a deserted carpark practising progressive braking...

**gijoe1313** · 25th January 2008, 20:45

Good to hear you are relatively safe and sound and the bike all sorted, I had nothing to do so was bummed when Patch was Johnny on the spot!

All good, I guess you need to talk to zeocen about filling in those moments when the riding weather is so beautiful

Anyhows, great to hear you reflected on your incident, positive attitude and what a post!

And kudos to Patch, you sir, are a paragon of samaritan good will and a knights Hospitaller all in one! I doff my hat!

**Gubb** · 25th January 2008, 20:53

Originally Posted by madbikeboy

The reality is that we ride and we are at risk. Make sure that your affairs are in order, (get a will), and get life insurance - this is a basic responsibility to the people you care about.

I'd also suggest that you take an advanced riding course, there's lots around, and spend time on a deserted carpark practising progressive braking...

That's probably some of the best advice i've gotten yet. At 24 I hadn't even begun to think about a Will, but I guess it certainly couldn't hurt.

And as soon as i'm up and about, I will be booking time in a big-empty carpark.

I gotta admit, it feels bizarre to be so positive about a traumatic experience. It's the first bone (and hopefully the last) i've ever broken. Still, whats the point of growing up if your not expanding your horizons?

**Toaster** · 25th January 2008, 21:02

Originally Posted by yungatart

For lessons on how to successfully emergency brake, do a RRRS course.
Bugger about your hand...I know what that feels like. Heal well.

Ditto on both counts!!

Emergency braking is something everyone should be well practised at, especially if they change bikes..... especially for the noobs and those that still act or ride like noobs, know your bike and know what it needs to stop quickly and safely.