viva_brasil
Well-known member
I don't have video footage unfortunately. I clipped the curb on the inside left of grapevine (running CCW) front end slid and caught on the asphalt.
When the tire got back on the asphalt - I believe that's when the steering went to full lock (i likely was "almost down" over the curb and the shallower bike angle coming onto the asphalt caused the steering to whip to full lock). The tire briefly skid, wiggled the whole bike and hooked up (all within about ~6 inches of travel across the asphalt). After hooking on the asphalt it launched the bike upwards, the bike traveled through the air for about 8 feet and landed again close to the outside edge of the track on the right side of the tire, slammed down on the right side of the bike, and slid on its side through the dirt. I was booted off the bike at some point during the flight. I felt like I was doing a somersault and my instinct was to tuck my head in.
I landed on the back of my head and part of my shoulder, my techair airbag went off in flight the only thing I "felt" was my neck stretching and my left leg / shin hit something (probably the handlebar) - it was stinging even through the huge chunk of armor. My left shift peg was completely bent / twisted downwards, I believe I bent it with my foot during the initial "snap" that launched the bike.
We were able to piece it back together based on the small front tire skid marks left on the track, what I remember, and what a rider behind me saw. The "flight time" felt like slow motion, it was actually very peaceful.
Luckily I just strained my neck slightly, I got back on my other bike and rode the rest of the day with a new helmet. After lots of icing (and pain) on the drive home I had almost full mobility the next day (I was expecting a completely stiff neck for several days...). I'm now a true believer in icing injuries, had no idea it could have such a big impact on recovery.
So stay off the curbs at all costs at high lean (at least for buttonwillow!).
Anyone have a similar experience? Is there something I could have done?
When the tire got back on the asphalt - I believe that's when the steering went to full lock (i likely was "almost down" over the curb and the shallower bike angle coming onto the asphalt caused the steering to whip to full lock). The tire briefly skid, wiggled the whole bike and hooked up (all within about ~6 inches of travel across the asphalt). After hooking on the asphalt it launched the bike upwards, the bike traveled through the air for about 8 feet and landed again close to the outside edge of the track on the right side of the tire, slammed down on the right side of the bike, and slid on its side through the dirt. I was booted off the bike at some point during the flight. I felt like I was doing a somersault and my instinct was to tuck my head in.
I landed on the back of my head and part of my shoulder, my techair airbag went off in flight the only thing I "felt" was my neck stretching and my left leg / shin hit something (probably the handlebar) - it was stinging even through the huge chunk of armor. My left shift peg was completely bent / twisted downwards, I believe I bent it with my foot during the initial "snap" that launched the bike.
We were able to piece it back together based on the small front tire skid marks left on the track, what I remember, and what a rider behind me saw. The "flight time" felt like slow motion, it was actually very peaceful.
Luckily I just strained my neck slightly, I got back on my other bike and rode the rest of the day with a new helmet. After lots of icing (and pain) on the drive home I had almost full mobility the next day (I was expecting a completely stiff neck for several days...). I'm now a true believer in icing injuries, had no idea it could have such a big impact on recovery.
So stay off the curbs at all costs at high lean (at least for buttonwillow!).
Anyone have a similar experience? Is there something I could have done?