A moment's error, and a spared life...

[gijoe1313]

Crikey! Glad to hear that all is in the land of the living! MBB that ute driver was on the ball and did the right things at the right time!

As for my own experiences, it is to be noted I have high levels of energy - this has been built up over years previously in the gym, martial arts training and my own personality make up.

I recognise the importance of fluids, the need to take a break and when not to push it. I actually train myself to do the riding I love. It may not come as a surprise to some that I love to ride and ride long and often, pootling to Wellington and back with only fuel stops and meal breaks (usually incorporated together). Its about training, I love doing things that challenge myself and I do things differently to a lot of people.

Things that people take as being sensible or the "done" thing I challenge. I have found over time what makes me tick and to keep riding longer and longer and enjoy every bit of it!

It's all relative, people who have done events like 1000 milers or Grand challenges may see things completely different. To me a good start to a ride is 300-400km. A long trip that I love to enjoy is the classic "Ride to Wellington, eat dinner/breakfast and ride back to Auckland" done it many times.

But above all, as has been said by many people already, we all have our limitations and factors that affect our responses/decision processing. The trick is to know when the panic buttons are lighting up and being able to take effective action.

Heck, when I feel the sandman coming, I will pull over if I have to and park the bike up and kip for 5-10 minutes. Those signs on the side of the road do have important messages. Take a break!

And I haven't even got on a bike yet today! Guess I know I must need a break from riding! (mind you, tonight may prove I want to ride! )

MBB, glad to hear you taking a little sabbatical from scoot, she'll be there waiting for you when you are ready to ride her in the right frame of mind!

[Macontour]

Scary stuff. I drive tour coaches for a living and the usual is to have lunch in Rotovegas and then drive North into the sun shining through the big windscreen and then try to keep eyes open. Not a lot of fun with up to 45 passengers on board. The can of V is always there and I usually have cold water as well.

It is easy to get the thousand mile stare when faced with tiredness and maybe familiarity with the roads. the TV ad is quite correct.

Also big Ups to Toto and others for the ride. 675 ks is a pretty big day by my standards and my butt felt like my seat was pywood. Lots of fun though and the rain stayed away thankfully.

[mnkyboy]

675 ks is a pretty big day by my standards and my butt felt like my seat was pywood. Lots of fun though and the rain stayed away thankfully.

Your seat is plywood compared to mine - Good to say hello again today too (Gassie in GI)

Good on ya mike for owning up - I have learnt from it. I occasionally find my brain wandering and heading into autopilot mode. Makes me more alert to the symptoms

I find that I can ride long distance but make myself ride slower as I get on in the day just to allow for the slower reaction times due to fatigue. However it takes some practice and discipline to do it. Very hard to force yourself to ride at 90kms; but I have found it allows me another half second or two to react/decide.

[carver]

im not even going to say anything

apart from

think twice before you rant off at me again