Can I turn my bin into something positive?

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 31st August 2008, 18:29

Five months ago I lowsided through inatention fracturing 5 ribs and requiring my collarbone being pinned. Im still not riding for about another 4 weeks.
Yesturday I revisited the scene and was surprised to find the road surface still littered with loose gravel that washes across the highway from a gravel pit on the high side of the corner.
Should I send photos and advise the council of the problem(to save another biker) or am I just wasting my time, and put it down to experience or lack of?Photos attatched
The corner is a righthand 45km bend on the highway exiting mangawhai towards the turnoff to Tomarata heading for State highway one.

**Nagash** · 31st August 2008, 18:44

Jesus.. that corner does look like a proper bitch.

I reckon you should submit it to the council, it's not that bloody hard just to sweep the rubbish off the road.

I did it on scenic drive, they'd done some road works over night and I road through in the morning completely unexpecting it and almost had a low slide, luckily saved it.

Luckily my old man has a few friends in the council and they got it sorted by the next day.

But yeah, submit it, but don't expect anything to happen too soon..

**Gubb** · 31st August 2008, 18:52

It couldn't possibly do any harm.

Do it.

**Scorpygirl** · 31st August 2008, 19:23

Hi Pete

Yes send these Pics to the Council because in Ulysses we are trying to make them more aware that this rubble on the road is a real hazard to bikers. However on the other hand you should have been able to see it and say I am going to avoid it like the plague. Pea Metal like this is dangerous. It is like riding on marbles or ball bearings. Yes, you could have taken a different line and still have been safe.

Live and learn Pete.

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 31st August 2008, 20:08

Originally Posted by Scorpygirl

Hi Pete

Yes send these Pics to the Council because in Ulysses we are trying to make them more aware that this rubble on the road is a real hazard to bikers. However on the other hand you should have been able to see it and say I am going to avoid it like the plague. Pea Metal like this is dangerous. It is like riding on marbles or ball bearings. Yes, you could have taken a different line and still have been safe.

Live and learn Pete.

As I said "my inattention"...........I have been luckey to get a 2nd chance. Alot havent! .......I know that and so also does someone else.

**Grub** · 31st August 2008, 20:15

Originally Posted by Scorpygirl

However on the other hand you should have been able to see it and say I am going to avoid it like the plague. .......... Yes, you could have taken a different line and still have been safe.

Huh? What advice would you give someone hitting it in the dark then? Or someone encountering a car on the other side of the road bllocking any change of line?

This is a serious unmarked road hazard, send them to the Council. If they dont act on it, then send them to a wider audience like the Police and the AA.

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 31st August 2008, 20:18

Originally Posted by Grub

Huh? What advice would you give someone hitting it in the dark then? Or someone encountering a car on the other side of the road bllocking any change of line?

This is a serious unmarked road hazard, send them to the Council. If they dont act on it, then send them to a wider audience like the Police and the AA.

That's an extremley good point.

**Rhino** · 31st August 2008, 20:24

Originally Posted by fLaThEaD FreD

As I said "my inattention"...........I have been luckey to get a 2nd chance. Alot havent! .......I know that and so also does someone else.

Sorry mate, but that was in bad taste.

**Rhino** · 31st August 2008, 20:26

Originally Posted by Grub

Huh? What advice would you give someone hitting it in the dark then? Or someone encountering a car on the other side of the road bllocking any change of line?

This is a serious unmarked road hazard, send them to the Council. If they dont act on it, then send them to a wider audience like the Police and the AA.

I would agree with you regarding riding in the dark, but Pete was riding in the mid-morning. Looking ahead can save lots of grief.

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 31st August 2008, 20:34

Originally Posted by Rhino

Sorry mate, but that was in bad taste.

I certainley don't know what's offensive about this at all.

**Grub** · 31st August 2008, 20:35

Originally Posted by Rhino

I would agree with you regarding riding in the dark, but Pete was riding in the mid-morning. Looking ahead can save lots of grief.

The discussion was about whether he should send in the photos.

It wasn't an opportunity for someone to say that if he'd been careful the hazard wouldn't exist. The hazard is dangeous and permanent and the Council are required to do something about it = send the photos so they can fix it before a night time rider hits it.

**Scorpygirl** · 31st August 2008, 20:46

I gave a positive and said that he should send the pics to the Council.

**Scorpygirl** · 31st August 2008, 20:53

Originally Posted by fLaThEaD FreD

That's an extremley good point.

So Pete. It's all about the Council now. You asked how you can learn from this bin. The answer is NOTHING!

**fLaThEaD FreD** · 31st August 2008, 20:54

Originally Posted by Grub

The discussion was about whether he should send in the photos.

It wasn't an opportunity for someone to say that if he'd been careful the hazard wouldn't exist. The hazard is dangeous and permanent and the Council are required to do something about it = send the photos so they can fix it before a night time rider hits it.

I'm the first to say this was caused by innattention and totally own the result of my actions.
Yes this is about forwarding the pics to the appropriate authorities and following the comments and some extras I didnt think of.

**Ixion** · 31st August 2008, 20:56

By all means report it and ask for it to be rectified. But be aware that if it is gravel washout from the roadside, it will certainly return.

Removing hazards is always good. But a wise rider does not rely on "them" providing him with a perfect hazrd free environment, but rides so as to be aware of and deal with whatever the road may throw at him. By day or night. If necessary (eg at night, slow down. Not that hard.