When we create a FUBAR, who has the nads to own up?

[StoneY]

Well, I nearly proved Katman right yesterday morning

My KTM is an awesome bike to lane split with, high seating perspective to plan routes ahead, clear views of cage drivers heads and a LOT of grunt.

So yesterday.... I made a HUGE fubar. One thats almost unforgivable to my own ethic, so I post here to apoligise, and put this out in the open.

So...SH2.... 7amish yetserday morning.
Lane split gap ahead, two other bikes in close proximity in RH lane, jast past Ngauranga....
I watched the lead bike hesitate at the lane split gap, and move very slightly away as if he was not going to lane split.

Bike behind him did the same, backed off a little...

I made the call and decided to pass them and take the gap into the split.... and the lead bike in lane right made the same call! (that is to enter the gap)
SHIT!
MY major fuck up..... and almost a huge disaster!

I almost took another rider out...in fact two...with MY impatience and arrogance, and belief in my own invulnerability ...I almost caused a massive pile up - and to my shame and embarrasment I was the moron to almost cause this incident

To the two riders I caused such danger and stress, I am so sorry, had you both followed me into town to bash me I would have deserved it.

As I realised we were about to collide and I was at fault I pulled out, almost hitting acage (and would have done so rather than hit the bike beside me) and am a very lucky man that this did not result in a serious accident.

I have spent the last 24 hours beating myself up for this ridiculous behaviour, especially as my role with BRONZ and ACC is so publicly known.
I re-commit myself to better safer riding practises, I will be soon taking some advanced training as well.

If those two other riders use KB (unlikely but you never know) my sincerest apologies, I have no excuse for my road behaviour yesterday morning, and will take full ownership of the blame for the close call.

I now see what Katman has been saying...we CAN be our own worst enemies out there, and I for one will take on board this very close call and make a committment to adjust MY OWN road behaviour from here forward.

Brent

[riffer]

And the first step towards becoming a better rider is knowing where you go wrong, admitting it, and doing something about it.

There but for the grace of God go all of us mate...

[Bender]

You made a mistake. It happens.

[oneofsix]

I presume you had a much more sedate ride in this morning with the wind and drizzle?
Lesson learnt .. for now

[martybabe]

Well confessed young stoney but don't be to hard on yourself, however good and honorable our aspirations are to become a safe/good rider, we are all human and humans make bad calls occasionally and inevitably.

You're clearly aware you made a bad call on the day and will do your darnedest to make sure it doesn't happen again I'm sure, we can do no more.

[Katman]

Well confessed young stoney but don't be to hard on yourself,

All credit to Brent for the public confession of his mistake.

However, I'm of the opinion that it is only by beating ourselves up over things like this when they occur that we will actually learn the lesson.

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

[The Stranger:Me]

Well, I nearly proved Katman right yesterday morning

That's a little strong isn't it.
1) We are all human. Humans make mistakes, that's just the way we ALL are (yes even Katman). All you proved was that you are human, there's no surprise there is there?

2) If I understand your tale correctly they were about to overtake (by lane splitting). The onus (at law) is on the overtaking driver/rider to check behind them before starting the overtake maneuver. So whilst there is no denying that you did unnecessarily create a risk, they should know the law and apply it also.

[pzkpfw]

[Start an A.A. (Alcoholics Anon) thread, next, eh?]


Two weeks ago, I'm doing a right-turn at the roundabout in Silverstream to turn off to the Pinehaven area.

Nobody ever comes from my right, when I turn there. And my mind was kind of elsewhere.

I'm looking to my left, thinking "that car better bloody give way to me" when I notice this other car coming around the roundabout towards my right.

I would have been collected, but a simple jab of just enough and not any more front & back brake stopped me up, just past the line.

...but I nearly had to tell a big black Subaru station wagon "sorry, mate, I didn't see you".


Were all human, dammit. Even the car drivers. And on bikes when we screw up (or are screwed on) we sure do fucking bleed.

[oldrider]

Carry on with the beatings until the blood stops flowing, then relax a little!

[Clockwork]

There must have been something in the air yesterday. About the same time and about the same place (although I don't think it was the same incident) I was splitting my way through the same traffic and I spotted another bike behind me obviously splitting faster than I wanted to go. I spied a reasonable gap two cars ahead in the right hand lane and I decided I'd get out of his way. It seems I didn't do this quickly enough or may be obviously enough because as I took my place in the gap and started to move to the right side of the lane to make if obvious that I was expecting him to split past if he wished, he accelerated passed me on my right as I was "closing the door" on that side.

In truth I was startled and not at all impressed. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was a pretty stupid maneuver on his part.

[martybabe]

All credit to Brent for the public confession of his mistake.

However, I'm of the opinion that it is only by beating ourselves up over things like this when they occur that we will actually learn the lesson.

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

Yup, I fail to disagree but the very fact that Stoney has written this thread in such a way is evidence enough for me that he is regretful for his transgression and has analysed, 'beat himself up' and rectified his behavior accordingly.

He is not a fool he just did something foolish, if he's smart enough to recognise his error, he, 'Stoney' is surely smart enough to put it right, in fact I know he is.

[StoneY]

In truth I was startled and not at all impressed. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was a pretty stupid maneuver on his part.

Dude... I was 4 cars behind you and saw that!!!

You did well not getting clipped and were I you I would have been furious.
I was still thinking what a close call YOU had when I fubar'd up ahead of you (I safely passed you on my KTM in the left lane just prior to my own close call as we went through the underpass at the gorge)

Small motorway is our Wellington one!

[avgas]

Reflection learning is great thing. But it won't save your life.
Its difficult to reflect if your dead.
Food for thought.

[StoneY]

In truth I was startled and not at all impressed. Maybe I'm mistaken but I thought that was a pretty stupid maneuver on his part.

Dude... I was 4 cars behind you and saw that!!!

You did well not getting clipped and were I you I would have been furious.
I was still thinking what a close call YOU had when I fubar'd up ahead of you (I safely passed you on my KTM in the left lane just prior to my own close call as we went through the underpass at the gorge)

Small motorway is our Wellington one!

[Banditbandit]

All credit to Brent for the public confession of his mistake.

However, I'm of the opinion that it is only by beating ourselves up over things like this when they occur that we will actually learn the lesson.

There are too many examples of motorcyclists writing their bikes off through stupidity with little more response than "oh well, at least I can now go out bike shopping again". All too often, within a short space of time, they set about making history repeat itself.

A bit strong ... yes, I agree there are fuckwits who trash it and see it as an excuse to go bike shopping ...

Learning from fuck ups like this is good ... beating yourself up about it is crap ..

Shit happens ... LEARN and move on ...