Almost needed a spatula today

[xwhatsit]

Came very close to seeing the Sausage Creature today (well, yesterday now), I think. Put the bike back together earlier in the day after repairing the head/rocker cover leak. While I was at it, I did some general maintenance, lubed the chain, and adjusted the rear brake. Before I adjusted it, it had far too much free play in it. Now... you only have to think about touching it and you've scrubbed off 20kph.

So I was on my way to work, going along Remuera Rd, going with the flow of the traffic (about 60-65kph indicated). Wasn't following too closely, but I was looking further up the road towards an intersection where I thought I might have to stop. Next thing I know... some BMW in the right-hand lane has swerved across in front of the guy in front of me, in order to turn left into a side street. Holy fuck! The guy in front slams on his brakes, of course -- and because I wasn't paying immediate attention, he suddenly gets a whole lot closer to my front wheel. I panic too, and use just the right amount of front brake, I think -- but the rear brake, in part perhaps due to my adjustments, gets a good mashing, and next thing I know the rear wheel is somewhere alongside my ear, or at least that's what it feels like. Again panicking, I let go of the brake and the bike sort of does a hop and a scary sort of wiggle until I carefully caress the rear brake again and somehow it all pulls in line, but not before I belt the horn and say `fuck' despite my bottom lip being in-between my teeth. Meanwhile I would probably be within a metre of the car in front, and I'm now staring at the right rear wheel of it. I realise the arse end of my bike was probably in another lane.

These things, of course, happen for a reason; so you get sharper the next time something worse happens. So am I any wiser? Well, I learned peripheral vision is important. Just because something up ahead might cause some problems doesn't mean you should just pay attention to that -- plenty of other things can pop up in the mean time. Also, it pays to get used to any adjustments you've made in the bike; while I use my rear brake a lot at low stop/start traffic light type situations, on my work run I barely touch the thing and hadn't become used to it yet.

Anybody else care to add to my education?

[ZorsT]

While a rear wheel lockup can make you shit your pants, they rarely actually cause any real damage, as most of the braking is done with the front wheel anyway (the laws of physics mean it HAS to).

Getting used to adjustments on your bike (brakes are a biggie here) is quite important, and situations like the one you described are often part of the process.
It probably normally wouldn't have been a 'situation' (after all, you did have the time and mental space to use your horn, you can't have been in horrible trouble) but your brake adjustment meant it was, which is fair enough, and part of the adjustment process. We learn from our mistakes.

[Leong]

These things, of course, happen for a reason; so you get sharper the next time something worse happens. So am I any wiser? Well, I learned peripheral vision is important. Just because something up ahead might cause some problems doesn't mean you should just pay attention to that -- plenty of other things can pop up in the mean time. Also, it pays to get used to any adjustments you've made in the bike; while I use my rear brake a lot at low stop/start traffic light type situations, on my work run I barely touch the thing and hadn't become used to it yet.

Yes you are!!! Well done.

[Warr]

Some wise person, namely Frosty says ... Fit hard rear brake pads so its more difficult to lock. Something to be said for that sort of advise.. I too manage to lock my rear in panic stops when I should be hauling more fingures on the front

[gijoe1313]

Kudos for not ending as an impromptu boot ornament - glad to hear everything was okay in the end (no touch, no foul? ) Some more learning opportunities to add into your experience box as well!

Yep, things do change drastically in a second, even glancing at a mirror sometimes can result in a minty moment

As you were, ride on and keep enjoying those two wheels of freedom safely!

[DEATH_INC.]

Some wise person, namely Frosty says ... Fit hard rear brake pads so its more difficult to lock.

I'm gonna disagree here.... ......better to get used to the feeling of the rear locking, it can be a useful tool in saving yer ass.

[Trudes]

Good save dude, and What? bikes have back brakes!!!

[Mr. Peanut]

I make a habit of backing it in on the last two corners on the way home, it looks cool and it's good practice.

[xwhatsit]

Heh, thanks everybody. No I think you're right, ZorsT, I think it would've been nothing more than the average nut-crushing session if it weren't for the rear brake. Something else that just popped into my head is that that of Remuera Rd, outside the boys school after those esses, is very very bumpy and has tar snakes for Africa. So if I was nailing the front, it would've taken weight of the rear wheel and it may have bounced and then locked? Another thing to pay attention to, road surface, I suppose.

Warr, I don't actually have rear brake pads, lol. Some of us have real brakes . Even though I know nothing about everything I'd tend to side with DEATH_INC; I'd rather know about rear lock-ups and have more control over my bike. I have a little bit of experience in the rear waving around, but that's been under power and has been entirely predictable with no cars around. This was completely unexpected so resulted in the silent-scream moment.

[kneescraper]

Good to hear nothing bad happened. These types of oh shit situations are every day norm in my town. Every ones a bit backward around here.

First thing I did/do when I get a new bike is find a quite road and find the limits of the brakes. It can be scary locking the front or rear (rear can be fun too) but I find I feel better about riding and knowing I can handle a situation like you just had if I have already found the limits and now how to avoid them.

My 2 cents.

Remember...better to have very sore nuts then be part of a cars body work

[Coyote]

Bikes have front brakes?!