When I was in high school we did a fundraiser lock in party for for the underclassmen. I stayed awake the entire day before and all night, as I was driving back to my folks house exhausted I fell asleep while driving. I woke up doing 70mph with all four tires in the grass median, I nearly crapped myself and very carefully guided the car back onto the pavement. My knuckles were white and eyes wide open the remainder of the drive.
but did you DIIIIIIIE!?
- Thread starter auntiebling
- Start date
2strokeYardSale
Moab on my mind
https://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9998096&postcount=2498
The ride that inspired my front plate sticker and a trail name.
I also almost died of hypothermia when I spent the 38F night on a mountain at Clear Creek, cold and wet.
The ride that inspired my front plate sticker and a trail name.
I also almost died of hypothermia when I spent the 38F night on a mountain at Clear Creek, cold and wet.
afm199
Well-known member
I have a couple. In East Berlin I got into an argument with a border guard. That got me a couple hours internment in a nice East German jail
The best was 1961, when I was maybe 14. Our family was taking a car ferry in the North Sea. It was late at night, and I was bored as fuck, so left the room and wandered out to the bow of the ship. I climbed a flight of stairs and went to the bow, like DeCaprio in the Titanic! Stood there watching the voyage in the moonlight while some ignorant foreigner yelled at me via the ship loudspeaker system, but it was foreignish so not important.
Then I saw the wave. It was probably ten feet taller than the bow of the ship.
I scampered back to the stairs and got down about two steps when it hit. It washed me down the stairs, across the deck, and right up to the scuppers. The deck railing was about a foot and half above the deck. So there was a nice one and a half foot opening I was headed for, and then the North Sea. I ended up getting dumped on the edge of the deck, halfway under the rail.
That was closest I have come. Puked my guts out. I was that close to ending up in the 33 degree North Sea, at night.
The best was 1961, when I was maybe 14. Our family was taking a car ferry in the North Sea. It was late at night, and I was bored as fuck, so left the room and wandered out to the bow of the ship. I climbed a flight of stairs and went to the bow, like DeCaprio in the Titanic! Stood there watching the voyage in the moonlight while some ignorant foreigner yelled at me via the ship loudspeaker system, but it was foreignish so not important.
Then I saw the wave. It was probably ten feet taller than the bow of the ship.
I scampered back to the stairs and got down about two steps when it hit. It washed me down the stairs, across the deck, and right up to the scuppers. The deck railing was about a foot and half above the deck. So there was a nice one and a half foot opening I was headed for, and then the North Sea. I ended up getting dumped on the edge of the deck, halfway under the rail.
That was closest I have come. Puked my guts out. I was that close to ending up in the 33 degree North Sea, at night.
aminalmutha
Well-known member
I think the worst for me was sitting all the way through Black Swan. OMFG. Kill me, nao.
Probably didn't actually almost die but had a few sphincter-clenchers on motorbikes:
Full on wheel-hopping tank slapper when I hit a bump too fast, leaned over. Bump was a lot bigger than it looked.
Inadvertent 12-o'clock wheelie cresting a hill at buck-sumpn-sumpn.
The one I had to pull over and shart a little was when I crested a canal crossing at a buck-fo'ty-sumpin' and got huge air. What looks gentle at 55mph becomes a ramp when you double, triple that.
Time I actually invited death was when I got honest to goodness food poisoning. Not an upset tummy, no, three days straight of violent rejection of food and water. And even when no food nor water was left... violent retching. That sucked, truly.
Probably didn't actually almost die but had a few sphincter-clenchers on motorbikes:
Full on wheel-hopping tank slapper when I hit a bump too fast, leaned over. Bump was a lot bigger than it looked.
Inadvertent 12-o'clock wheelie cresting a hill at buck-sumpn-sumpn.
The one I had to pull over and shart a little was when I crested a canal crossing at a buck-fo'ty-sumpin' and got huge air. What looks gentle at 55mph becomes a ramp when you double, triple that.
Time I actually invited death was when I got honest to goodness food poisoning. Not an upset tummy, no, three days straight of violent rejection of food and water. And even when no food nor water was left... violent retching. That sucked, truly.
Brokenlink
Banned
I was doing a summer internship for CDFW in the Mendocino National Forest looking for summer steelhead habitat. Yes it was amazing. I saw and swam with some amazing fish in the Yolla Bolla Wilderness. I lived out of my truck for a summer. Fantastic memories.
One day, my boss dropped me and my chain smoking, sweaty and underbathed partner off in the middle of Cow Mountain with the instruction of hiking downstream about ten miles where we would find a Toyota 4x4 waiting for us, which we could use to get back to camp. It was a daunting and exciting assignment.
We started hiking down the creek, which was little more than a brook flowing through some dry meadows. We came across a large log laying across the stream and just as I was about to throw my leg over it and shuffle across the top due to my short legs, I noticed a small irregular band of interest on the log. I paused. And the baby rattlesnake shook his silent warning at my crotch.
My body caught up with my retreating genitalia and I found a new way around the crotch-trap. We made our way downstream, whereupon I observed the largest steelhead in the smallest pool I could imagine. We found our truck and drove back to camp unharmed.
One day, my boss dropped me and my chain smoking, sweaty and underbathed partner off in the middle of Cow Mountain with the instruction of hiking downstream about ten miles where we would find a Toyota 4x4 waiting for us, which we could use to get back to camp. It was a daunting and exciting assignment.
We started hiking down the creek, which was little more than a brook flowing through some dry meadows. We came across a large log laying across the stream and just as I was about to throw my leg over it and shuffle across the top due to my short legs, I noticed a small irregular band of interest on the log. I paused. And the baby rattlesnake shook his silent warning at my crotch.
My body caught up with my retreating genitalia and I found a new way around the crotch-trap. We made our way downstream, whereupon I observed the largest steelhead in the smallest pool I could imagine. We found our truck and drove back to camp unharmed.
billswim
Well-known member
Many times on a bike for sure. Close calls, we’ve all had em
While diving, I’ve seen sharks close enough to get their autograph!
Most serious though was when Mother Nature actually tried to kill me. We were diving for abalone. No tanks. Free diving. A killer wave hit me and held me under water, inches from the surface. I could see air. Just couldn’t get there. I was certain I was going to tap out. All of a sudden the pressure on my chest gave away and I could get to the surface for air. Seriously thought my mistress was going to kill me.
While diving, I’ve seen sharks close enough to get their autograph!
Most serious though was when Mother Nature actually tried to kill me. We were diving for abalone. No tanks. Free diving. A killer wave hit me and held me under water, inches from the surface. I could see air. Just couldn’t get there. I was certain I was going to tap out. All of a sudden the pressure on my chest gave away and I could get to the surface for air. Seriously thought my mistress was going to kill me.
I did a very similar stupid stunt, but it was sitting in the back of one of those big yellow Tonka trucks and riding it down a steep paved driveway! Narrowly missed being hit by a car.
doc4216
Coastie who high fives
During a work trip, we were given one day off so we decided to go horseback riding on the beach (Jekyll Island, GA). It was one of those where the horses stay in a line and you can't get them to do anything but follow each other. Everything was fine until the return back.
We left the beach and headed back onto the trail that took us to the starting point. My particular horse decided it was time to use the natural facility. I get left behind but can see the pack ahead of me on a small ridge, my horse however, could not. After the deed was done, the horse urgently attempted to catch up with the group at an unanticipated fast past, which also allowed my saddle to loosen (I did not know horses sometimes bloated their stomach on purpose when saddles were put on until later). As this rocket of a horse began up the path and around a turn, the saddle slipped to the side with me hanging off at a 90 degree angle, staring straight at a very large tree stump! I held on just long enough to miss the stump before tumbling to the ground, all while the group watching from above.
The guide came back down to me and assisted in tightening the saddle and getting me back into it. Every time I think of that story, I only see the stump coming right at me!
But I didn't die.
We left the beach and headed back onto the trail that took us to the starting point. My particular horse decided it was time to use the natural facility. I get left behind but can see the pack ahead of me on a small ridge, my horse however, could not. After the deed was done, the horse urgently attempted to catch up with the group at an unanticipated fast past, which also allowed my saddle to loosen (I did not know horses sometimes bloated their stomach on purpose when saddles were put on until later). As this rocket of a horse began up the path and around a turn, the saddle slipped to the side with me hanging off at a 90 degree angle, staring straight at a very large tree stump! I held on just long enough to miss the stump before tumbling to the ground, all while the group watching from above.
The guide came back down to me and assisted in tightening the saddle and getting me back into it. Every time I think of that story, I only see the stump coming right at me!
But I didn't die.
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Climber
Well-known member
Horses can be wiley creatures, I had a pony try to scrape me off by running full tilt under a large (6 inch) tree limb with the saddle getting scraped up. I had already bailed off the side when I knew I wouldn't be able to steer the son of a bitch away from that tree limb. :laughing
10 years old - went climbing across a rock face with my older brother. Got stuck on a 2" wide foothold, hanging on by my toes. Terrified but lived.
18 years old - drove, after some idiot passed me a joint that I thought tasted
like menthol. I thought I was going fast but speedo said 10mph. Lived.
21 years old - was at a softball tourney with my gf. Got drunk and went swimming. Went for a platform off the shore. Half way cramped up and fought panic and the surface for about 30 yds. Took an hour to get the nerve to go back. Lived.
23 years old - was climbing on Chimney Rock (Nebraska) and got a handhold above my head when I heard the rattle. Pulled my hand back and fell about six feet and gashed my knee. Did find some stone arrowheads. Lived.
25 years old was coming down an old road from some winery in Cupertino on my H2. Came around a corner and came head on to a Caddie in the middle of the road. Ate the inside hillside. Flipped a couple times but lived.
On and on. Thought I was bulletproof. Now I'm old and know I'm not. Or is that No I'm not.
18 years old - drove, after some idiot passed me a joint that I thought tasted
like menthol. I thought I was going fast but speedo said 10mph. Lived.
21 years old - was at a softball tourney with my gf. Got drunk and went swimming. Went for a platform off the shore. Half way cramped up and fought panic and the surface for about 30 yds. Took an hour to get the nerve to go back. Lived.
23 years old - was climbing on Chimney Rock (Nebraska) and got a handhold above my head when I heard the rattle. Pulled my hand back and fell about six feet and gashed my knee. Did find some stone arrowheads. Lived.
25 years old was coming down an old road from some winery in Cupertino on my H2. Came around a corner and came head on to a Caddie in the middle of the road. Ate the inside hillside. Flipped a couple times but lived.
On and on. Thought I was bulletproof. Now I'm old and know I'm not. Or is that No I'm not.
OldMadBrit
Well-known member
Back in the UK 40 years ago. I put a new set of tires on my car (a tuned RWD beast) and proceeded to drive way too fast through the city streets in the pouring rain.
I lost it on a fast left hander and span into the entrance of the wrong side of a dual carriageway and a wall of oncoming traffic. I somehow ended up unharmed on the hard shoulder facing the right way.
I didn't die.
I lost it on a fast left hander and span into the entrance of the wrong side of a dual carriageway and a wall of oncoming traffic. I somehow ended up unharmed on the hard shoulder facing the right way.
I didn't die.
Climber
Well-known member
Just think, if England had people driving on the proper side of the road, it wouldn't have been so life-threatening.
:laughing
KooLaid
Hippocritapotamus
My buddy flies fancy quadcopters and managed to get his stuck in the neighbor's palm tree. It was getting dark and didn't want to leave it in the tree for the dogs to chew up when it would eventually fall. So Being the genius that I am, pulled out my recurve bow with a long length of string attached and shot into the palm fronds. It was the near perfect shot from a good 35 yards away and the arrow just swung in the arms after getting to the end of the string. I slowly start to pull on the string and the fronds sway, I pull a little harder and my mind starts thinking, don't pull too hard or that arrow is gonna come right back at you, the next tug, the string in my hand goes light and the arrow embeds itself next to my feet. My buddy and I look at each other and go oh shit. I tell him, don't stand next to me.
Soooo, I tried it again lol. Again the arrow sails perfectly into the fronds. I tug and tug with my arm outstretched to my side this time. The fronds sway gently while I look back to my side and tell my buddy, you don't want to stand there. As I was looking at him, saying that, he steps to the side and the arrow comes sailing past exactly where he was standing at about stomach height. We look at each other and go, yeah....... I think it's time to stop.
Soooo, I tried it again lol. Again the arrow sails perfectly into the fronds. I tug and tug with my arm outstretched to my side this time. The fronds sway gently while I look back to my side and tell my buddy, you don't want to stand there. As I was looking at him, saying that, he steps to the side and the arrow comes sailing past exactly where he was standing at about stomach height. We look at each other and go, yeah....... I think it's time to stop.
KooLaid
Hippocritapotamus
triple digit tank slapper on my new CBR 600F4i. It was so violent that I had a 1" red paint stripe on both edges of the front tire tread from the wheel flexing so much in the forks that the tire rubbed on the front fender. Also bent in the rear pedal from my ankle smacking it.
Removed 4
Banned
Riding with some buddies
Through a park, so no lines on the road
I'm like 3/4 of the way back in a pack of about 20
Lean into a corner like the 15 guys in front of me
Next thing I know the back wheel is going one way, front going the other
Sand
Front takes hold on clean pavement
Back still flapping like the star spangled banner
For half a second I look straight ahead and see a car coming right at me
Back wheel grabs clean pavement
Front decides to do a tank slapper hard enough to toss Jorge Lorenzo
I must have been a rodeo cowboy in a past life cuz I rode that bull for the full 8 seconds
I was just as shocked as anyone
I straightened up
It straightened up
Car just drove by
Got back to the house after the ride, took off my gear
Perfect bar end shaped dark purple bruise on the inside of my left thigh
I should have died
Through a park, so no lines on the road
I'm like 3/4 of the way back in a pack of about 20
Lean into a corner like the 15 guys in front of me
Next thing I know the back wheel is going one way, front going the other
Sand
Front takes hold on clean pavement
Back still flapping like the star spangled banner
For half a second I look straight ahead and see a car coming right at me
Back wheel grabs clean pavement
Front decides to do a tank slapper hard enough to toss Jorge Lorenzo
I must have been a rodeo cowboy in a past life cuz I rode that bull for the full 8 seconds
I was just as shocked as anyone
I straightened up
It straightened up
Car just drove by
Got back to the house after the ride, took off my gear
Perfect bar end shaped dark purple bruise on the inside of my left thigh
I should have died
OldMadBrit
Well-known member
Just think, if England had people driving on the proper side of the road, it wouldn't have been so life-threatening.
Yup but what if it had been a right-hander :laughing
Climber
Well-known member
Then you've be glad you were driving on the wrong side of the road!
:laughing
Pushrod
Well-known member
Joined Uncle Sam's Army at seventeen in 1969 for choice of schools, took 67-N-20, UH-1 service technician. Eighteenth birthday present was orders for RVN.
Got crossed into flight status, 67-N2F, and assigned to a Special Forces support company. (Cool, way cool for an eighteen y/o, right?)
Except for the part about getting shot at.
But, goddamn it, the pilots were good (they were nineteen or twenty or twenty-one) and were always looking for targets to suppress (I was crew chief on a UH-1C gunship) and when the shit hit the fan we went in hot so the slicks could pull an extraction. The goal was to use the M-60 against the sparkling points of light in the greenery below because those were weapons aimed at the bird while the co-pilot worked the 2.75" ARA system. Gotta' say that the slick (UD-1D or H) pilots had cajones the size of grapefruits to set down in a hot LZ to extract a team no matter how good the gunships were.
And did it over and over until each of us eventually rotated back to the world.
1997 I went to the wall in Washington to visit friends and wondered why my name wasn't there. Really wondered at that.
Got crossed into flight status, 67-N2F, and assigned to a Special Forces support company. (Cool, way cool for an eighteen y/o, right?)
Except for the part about getting shot at.
But, goddamn it, the pilots were good (they were nineteen or twenty or twenty-one) and were always looking for targets to suppress (I was crew chief on a UH-1C gunship) and when the shit hit the fan we went in hot so the slicks could pull an extraction. The goal was to use the M-60 against the sparkling points of light in the greenery below because those were weapons aimed at the bird while the co-pilot worked the 2.75" ARA system. Gotta' say that the slick (UD-1D or H) pilots had cajones the size of grapefruits to set down in a hot LZ to extract a team no matter how good the gunships were.
And did it over and over until each of us eventually rotated back to the world.
1997 I went to the wall in Washington to visit friends and wondered why my name wasn't there. Really wondered at that.