Crash: "Epiphany" (4/6 @ Mines)

[SimFox3]

Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I went on a group ride which resulted in my first crash. Just to introduce my self, I'm 21/m and I have less then < 1000 miles experience (1.5 months)

Epiphany: 4/6/06

If you want to skip to the gory action part, go to "Stage 5: Epiphany"

* Note that this story is a "little" embellished
* The story itself was told from the perspective as it was being played out. Comments in "{}" (braces) are thoughts/feelings I had "at" that time. Comments in "[]" (brackets) are thoughts/feelings that I have NOW.

Actors: Larry (bpowa), Fred (fred-dogg), Chris (EastCoastRidah), Narrator -> Saad (SimFox3)

Stage 1: Staging Area
Location: Capbucks: Capital Expy & Tully Rd
Time: 11:00 am

I joined Larry and Fred at Capbucks a little after 11:00 am. We had already introduced ourselves last week so no need for that "Hi my name is Bob, my favorite color is blue, bla bla bla" crap. I met Chris a few minutes later and then we waited for a South Bay Rider rider who never showed up :later. However, while we were waiting Chris asked some nearby riders if they wanted to join us up to Mt. Hamilton; but they were too scared.. {damn newbs } [damn vets].

Anyway, we got tired of waiting for the SBR so we headed out to Mt. Hamilton"

Stage 2: "Oh Shit!"
Location: Mt. Hamilton
Time: 12:30 pm??

Chris and Fred were gunning through the Mt. Hamilton while Larry and I were riding a little behind. The pace was near my comfort threshold, so any faster and I probably would not have followed at the same pace [at least I hope I would not have].

Just a couple minor "oh shit" moments:
1) Near the beginning of Mt. Hamilton we all were gunning through it. I had been up this road before with Larry so I was going fast [way tooo fast for my comfort zone now]. One of the sharp turns I ‘foot dragged’" Don’t know if I am stipulating a word or not, but my left foot was draaagggiiin on the ground! Had I panicked and straightened the bike I would have ran right of the cliff (unfortunately no hand glider installed on the bike :teeth).
2) I was closely following Larry when his bald-rear tire skidded on gravel in a hairpin turn; I got nervous and started braking in the turn. To regain control we both had to push off our feet. Chris was sweeping and I could only imagine him snickering "NEWB" .

 

[SimFox3]

(part 2)

Stage 3: "Fix yo posture!"
Location: Observatory
Time: 1:00 pm??

We reached the top of Mt. Hamilton (observatory) and took a quick breather. Chris noticed a couple things that I was doing wrong:

1) I used my heels on the footpegs. So my feet were always hovering over the rear brake/gear shifter. This was the culprit for the foot drag. Fix: Plant the base of toes (forefoot) on the footpegs.
2) After I initiated a counter-steer lean my body did not ‘lean’ with the bike. The result was that the bike leaned more than it actually turned. Fix: Lean with the bike. Also pop your head out like a giraffe over the mirror in direction you are turning. ALWAYS look through the turn on where you want to go (never at the DY you think you are going to cross). Also DO NOT extend your knees out during the turns. Chris, specifically told me to wait until the track to try that out. {:x I was like whatever. If you can do it so can I} [:laughing Big Assumption: If you can do it so can I ... :cry :cry :cry ]

Anyway, on we went down mines to ‘The Junction’...


Stage 4: "Holy Cow. It works!"
Location: Mines->"The Junction"
Time: 1:30 pm

As we started our descent on Mines, I tried changing my posture to what Chris recommended. Sure the leaning posture felt different, but OMG... the bike would turn at least 20% faster and smoother than ever before. Turns that used to cross my comfort threshold were now performed relatively easy. And I know the foot positioning had helped because I no longer ‘foot-dragged’ even though I was leaning more. AWESOME!

We reached the ‘Junction’ and had another quick breather. I revealed how much that simple posture change helped my lean and asked for more tips. Chris told me to wait till track! { :x Whatever.. I’ll just imitate the moves he does. It can’t be that hard } [ guess where this is leading too? ]

Stage 5: "Epiphany"
Location: Couple miles past "The Junction"
Time: 2:00 pm

We start up our bikes, and get ready for take off. Usually the line up was Chris leading, Fred following close behind, Larry, and then me.

Chris took off, [ unfortunately ] my m/c was blocking Fred so I took off. Chris waited for all of us to ‘regroup’ before speeding up... except I was still the second rider.

So here I am... following Chris’ line from a distance of 10 yards. About 100 yards further a blind left turn was emerging. I notice Chris starting to extend his left knee perpendicular to the bike.... SO I do the same... except that I only got about a 45 degree angle from the bike :laughing { I gotta start stretching again }. I keep the same pace and follow Chris’ line inch-by-inch.

I start leaning and immediately notice that the turn was sharper than I anticipated { no need to panic.. OOSSAAA.. OOOSSAAA.... }. j/k. I didn’t panic but the turn was sharp for my speed. I went into a full lean on my left, and popped my head out like a giraffe over my left mirror. At the same time I gradually started applying the throttle. { Holy shit! It’s working, It’s Working! Only 3 seconds left before I pullout of the lean, 2.0 s, 1.5 s, .... BOOM KABOOM.... :wtf .. i’m still in the turn?!?}

The fall was UNEXPECTED. I was totally looking where I wanted to go, and it sure as hell wasn’t down . The rear tire slipped without any feedback and the bike low sided immediately. During the low side I lost my grip and did a ninja flip over my handle bars. It would have looked cool had I actually landed on my feet, but I fell on my back and slid about 10 feet away from my baby. My final resting place was in a ditch with a small ravine running through it. My arms totally outstretched and I was waiting for my lights to go out { Where are the angels that are supposed to take me to heaven?!?!? }. I waited a few more seconds... { ...Shit, they ain’t coming... shit I'm still alive.... }...

 

[SimFox3]

(part 3)

Stage 6: "Recovery"
Location: Crash Site -> Gas Station
Time: 2:15 pm

{ okay.. is my neck broken?? .. Nope, I can move it up and down... is my back broken?? Nope, I can sit up...}. I grudgingly get up, and try to make sense of the world. A few yards out I see my bike in also in the ditch. The engine was still running so I walk up to it and hit the engine cut-off switch. By this time Fred and Larry had arrived and with concerned looks on their face. "Dude.. (beep) are you okay?" "Is something broken, do you feel okay?" "Take a rest". As I’m doing a complete set of stretches Chris returns and helps the other figure out how to get my baby out of the ditch.

Fortunately, the bike was light and it wasn’t too hard to pull out. Had they abandoned me I would still be trying to get it out Anyway, the bike unbelievably still started even though it was leaking oil and coolant [oil leaked because it spilled into the overflow]. The left fairing had blown apart, the front fairing had a three-inch crack, and my left turn signal was incinerated. As for my self, I had road rash above my left elbow; which was amazing considering the flip and slide. I still wish I had worn leathers, but I would not have a battle scar to remind me of my stupidity.

A lot of friendly cagers offered their assistance as they passed as by, but the bike was running so what more could we ask for? :teeth

We strapped on the left fairing to my rear seat and drove on to the nearest gas station... 25 miles away.

By the time I reached the gas station my arm was covered with blood because of the constant rubbing of my wound to the textile. Anyway, the most painful part of the crash was the rubbing alcohol. I was initially "dabbing" the wounds, but someone insisted that I "take it like a man, and just splash the whole thing". { ouch ouch }

We rode on until we reached San Jose and then most of us split off. I had lunch with Larry and that was it.

Stage Infinity: "Contemplation"
Location: Saad’s Puny Head
Time: All the Time

Factors for the crash:
1) Riding over my head. I had just learnt a great technique for turning sharper and better. For some reason I thought I could step up one more level by starting to knee drag only 1 hour later.
2) Entry speed.
3) 1 & 2 repeated 10 times

What caused the crash:

I would not have crashed had my entry speed been reduced even 10 mph. However, what happened you ask? I don’t know for sure. Some guesses:

1) Did you panic and apply your brakes and as a result skid out? Definitely no. Like I mentioned I was actually getting the hang of the turn and was getting ready to pull out of it. In fact, I was throttling up gradually throughout the whole turn.
2) Any gravel/dirt? We tried to find signs of gravel/dirt but only found few pebbles that would not have caused the bike to slip so violently.
3) Did you run wide off the shoulder? This is probably the best *explainable* reason there is. Only I would have expected that my front wheel slip, not my rear wheel. Also I remember that the left handle slammed into the asphalt before I launched. But still, this is the most logical reason.
4) Did the tire just "slip"? I looked online but I couldn’t find a single incident where the tire just slipped. Plus I already have 350 miles on my rear tire so that should have been ample break-in.

DON’T WEAR TEXTILES. There is not even a mark on my jacket but I have a huge rash below my left elbow. The skin literally just peeled off. Not to mention that rubbing alcohol stings like hell :laughing. Don’t Do it.

Based on a true story.
The End.

 

[SimFox3]

Before and After shots of my arm

 

[SimFox3]

Original Crash Photo. Thanks to EastCoastRidah (Chris) for taking the PIC

 

[SimFox3]

Damages suffered

 

[SimFox3]

Fan Mail (by bpowa (Larry)). Note that he fixed the fairing :teeth

 

[07chuck]

It's OK... you did the proper thing and had your first crash on the best bike for it.... After you crash it again a few more times you'll be ready for that R-1.

 

[MAIDO]

Nice to see you wearing your gear, could've been worse. That rash looks painful, was the jacket to big on you? Wonder if you were wearing leather if the outcome would've been different.

One thing why I don't do a lot of group rides is because I feel as though I need to keep up with the faster riders, or wait for the slower riders which takes my mind off of what I should be paying attention to.

Hope you get better.

 

[SimFox3]

Thanks guys . The jacket was a little loose. I'm getting leathers next week and I hope that next set of "rashes" will be bruises (if anything at all).

I was riding a little faster than I ought to in the last ride. After the crash, my mojo is all gone

 

[Critter]

LMAO...Ego reduced says it all.

Ride your own ride bro don't get caught up in "keeping up" with faster riders.

Work on your technique and proper braking.

And for christ sakes put the balls of your feet on the pegs. We don't want the next batch of pictures you post to show your foot pointing in the wrong direction.

Live and learn....

 

[Chief]

Saad, I wish you the best and am damn glad to hear you made it through this without any serious injury. However, I'm having flashbacks to Fr0ng. Please, please, please don't be in a rush to go fast. That applies to track and street both. Riding slow and getting home unhurt is a hell of a lot more fun than spending months or years recovering(hopefully) from serious injury from having a little too much fun. Seriously, look back through Fr0ng's posts and force yourself to remember what happened to him when on your bike. I think you'll find Frong's progression is something that you could fall into, if you're not careful. The guy started off having a few wipe-outs, as a new rider, by trying to go faster than his experience, ability or wisdom would allow. He spoke wisely about it, expressing his understanding of what happened. He took several people's advice to take it to the track. He did quite well, progressing very fast! Too fast, too soon...IMHO. His downfall, IMO? He thought that his ability to put fear aside and push the limit was talent, and that talent would get him through. In the end? Crash, bang, BOOM! "Welcome to the hospital room!" Enjoy riding for a few years. Take a Keith Code class. Most importantly, learn to "read" the bike, the road and yourself before trying to wring her for all she's worth(This does not happen within 1 year!!). After 22 years of riding I'm still the slowest person on the rides I take, but I have a hell of a good time doing it. Be safe.

Tom

 

[rayo]

Mt. Hamilton, San Antonio Valley (the road down from the observatory on the far side), Mines, and Del Puerto canyon out to Patterson are quite technical and can be dirty any time of the year. Less than 1000 miles on the street = be really careful up there. Everyone else has already talked about riding your own ride and not getting over your head. Be thankful that you learned at least a couple of lessons concerning body position on the bike. Trying to master 3 or 4 new skills in one day is a recipe for disaster (as you found out).

Most times that one gets rash while wearing gear is a result of improper fit especially if there's no damage to the gear. I'll bet your jacket is loose enough to allow your arm to move around inside allowing the inside of your jacket to abrade your arm. Do you have armor in the elbow/forearm? If not, that might have helped if it stayed in place. Leather alone isn't a fix to this. Proper fit (tight enough to stay where it should) is also necessary. Live and learn and live to learn another day. :cool

 

[Red6Rdr]

Feanor meet simfox3, simfox3 meet Feanor.

 

[mrc]

Between crashing on it and posting about it here, you'll soon have a skin thick enough to put out cigarettes on.

Good write-up, nice pics, and good on you for trying to figure it all out.

I second the too-large jacket observation: looks like friction/heat on that elbow, not abrasion from jacket structural failure. No marks on jacket points to jacket hanging up on road surface (not sliding) and causing your elbow to slide around inside the sleeve.

I've had similar effects (stupidly enough) on astroturf and hard ground while playing soccer: textile grabs ground, skin slides on textile. I'm told a layer of natural fiber will suck up some of the heat/friction. Or a more snug fit. Your blood loss may vary.

I guess I got nothing to add beside that self-indulgent point.

 

[lumpia]

Damn dude, glad you're okay. Could've been alot worse. Heal up, fix the bike and get back in the saddleort

 

[PorradaVFR]

Based on some of your comments you have little to no formal training and while you show the right "want to learn" attitude, Mines / Hamilton are *NOT* places to learn - they are places to apply skills you already have developed.

Spend money on track school(s) and some books. Sport Riding Techniques, Proficient Motorcycling and Twist of the Wrist 2 are all good options. Your foot placement, body positioning and looking through turns are BASIC stuff that you have been doing instinctively before you got anywhere NEAR that ride.

 

[CHICKenstrip]

Wow! Thanks for sharing in such an entertaining manner. Glad to hear you're okay. :thumbup

 

[budbandit]

Many have been in your shoes, some far more than once. Take what you have learned and get back on the 500 and go ride. Sounds like you have a lot to learn but that is one of the stages where riding is the best as improvement comes very quickly. If indeed your lack of ego and willingness to learn are real and not bullshit then you will be fine.

I hope to see you on the hill soon.

A little judgement can almost always overcome any lack of skill but it can take more than superhuman skill to overcome a lack of judgement. You seem like a smart guy, ride within your limitations. FWIW the EX 500 is a damn fine bike, especially for a new rider.

 

[Climber]

Nice write-up. :thumbup

Glad you're okay.

Now, about trying to go too fast too early (10k miles would still be far too early to try to go fast), as was mentioned earlier can get you in alot of trouble real quick!

One thing to really think about.... lots of people can go pretty quick after a few months of riding, but where they get into trouble is when they encounter an unnexpected situation (i.e. dirt or fluid on the road, pothole, decreasing radius turn, etc) and suddenly find that their experience level cannot deal with that situation which quickly evolves into a state where a trip to the hospital is the best conclusion.

The ability to deal with the broad range of unexpected situations is what takes years of experience and tens of thousands of miles to fully develop. Ignoring this will earn you a life flight at best and a rose.gif at worst.

Riding a sportbike is an exhilerating thing to do and can be the source of many, many good memories, but never, never forget that this isn't some game where you can hit the reset button and if you find yourself forgetting, just imagine what your thoughts would be if you've just blown a turn and are heading for a high speed head-on collision with the grill of a truck.