No crash - surprised by an unmarked corner on Page Mill (with vid)

[Tupperwolf]

Leaving the BARF Bash today I decided to hit up some of our favorite roads while I was in the general area. I am still getting familiar with all of them so I am just scouting each road while still enjoying the corners at my own slow pace. I have ridden down Page Mill Road before but never up. This switchback took me by surprise. I think heading into the sun may have had something to do with my surprise but the GoPro video really exaggerates that because the camera does not adapt to changes in light as fast as the human eye (plus I think the lens is dusty or some crap like that). I saw that it was a tight right hander but didn't realize just HOW tight until it was too late and I had to react.


youtu.be/mm6HY33TtsU

So, self analysis? Pros: Not hooning it on an unfamiliar road on a weekend. Recognized that I was blowing the corner and reacted well in a short space (braked, downshifted, LOOKED, steered, used friction zone to power up the hill, which is a lot steeper than the video shows).
Cons: Momentary target fixation on the road surface ahead for a brief second, which is why I chose to brake instead of lean harder. Standing the bike up and braking is not what I'd prefer and might not save my ass in a different situation.

Mods, if this belongs in Moto Pics 'n Vids please move. :thumbup

 

[jwb]

Where were your eyes? If you're going down the road and the road is full of trees, that's a good signal that the road is turning I don't see what a sign would add that a big line of trees doesn't.

This gopro seems to be mounted on your head. If it were on my head it would probably be looking into that turn well before you seem to have been looking. As soon as you can tell it's a right turn, I'd be turning my head to the furthest-right part of the road that's still visible. The look you're giving the road at 0:39? I guess I'd want to have that look back at 0:36 or so.

Still, you rode it out. I've seen guys just shoot off the ends of way easier corners ;-)

 

[flying_hun]

Where were your eyes? If you're going down the road and the road is full of trees, that's a good signal that the road is turning I don't see what a sign would add that a big line of trees doesn't.

This gopro seems to be mounted on your head. If it were on my head it would probably be looking into that turn well before you seem to have been looking. As soon as you can tell it's a right turn, I'd be turning my head to the furthest-right part of the road that's still visible. The look you're giving the road at 0:39? I guess I'd want to have that look back at 0:36 or so.

Chest mount rather than head mount? Other than that, the above is pretty good analysis and suggested approach. :thumbup

 

[Pking]

Looks like that particular area got wider for you at the decreasing radius point which gave you more room not to cross the DY. Perhaps due to prior incidents at that spot? IMO.

 

[kuksul08]

Didn't look too bad. That's why you don't ride at 100%, so you can account for stuff like this without having to enter the other lane or ride off a cliff.

 

[Tupperwolf]

The gopro is mounted on the chinbar of my helmet, so it does follow my head's movements. I try to point my chin wherever I want to go but I'm sure that gets a bit lazy at the end of the day. I know my eyes track the vanishing point pretty well.

The vid looks kind of bad, like it didn't upload to youtube in true HD. Might have to reupload to fix that.

You should be able to see around 0:36 that my head is pointed to the vanishing point of the turn. Then around 0:37 I realize that the turn is much sharper than anticipated and my corner position is all wrong, much too far to the middle of the lane instead of the outside. There is some ugly pavement there that I momentarily target fixated on, you can see it at 0:37/38 as I react and brake. Then I turned my head hard at 0:39 and finished the corner.

I think a big thing is my lane positioning, I turned in to the corner much earlier than necessary. For proper roadcraft I should keep as much view ahead as possible.

It's funny, the entire rest of the ride back down Skyline, I assiduously practiced that sightline roadcraft, staying to the outside of left handers and the inside of right handers to keep a long view ahead.

 

[EjGlows]

Your more than capable roadcraft needs justifation and assiduously arduous interpretation. :rolleyes


Nice post.

 

[Tupperwolf]

I've been drinking cider. Now going to bed. Had a great time at the Bash today!

 

[danate]

I did the same thing on that same turn when I first started riding. Was a good lesson in treating every turn like you don't know what's around it.

 

[akdmx]

I did the same exact thing my first time up this road. The gopro doesn't really capture how surprising this corner can be but google maps does (and it doesn't even factor in the altitude change).

 

[Abyss]

I hate that turn, even in first gear it freaks me out so much I have to slip the clutch on the way up. It's actually a lot better going downhill for some reason, probably because the elevation change is less severe.

You were going pretty fast for Page Mill. It's a fun road but I have nearly had my shit fucked up on far too many occasions by Shallow Alto idiots driving their crappy Priuses and BMWs wherever the hell they feel like (in my lane) and all the bicyclists up there set you up for either a pretty good asspacking because they sometimes think they can ride in the middle of the lane or getting hit head-on by aforementioned cars making terrible passes across the DY.

 

[Tupperwolf]

Location is here https://goo.gl/maps/g9Pte

OK, now I'm going to bed.

 

[Aeroslash]

I know that turn and have had a similar experience. That corner is very different to the tone of the rest of Page Mill, definitely catches you by surprise.
Looks like your reaction was more than adequate.

 

[caideN]

This corner is pretty well known for bikers and cars to cross onto other lane. In the video, it doesnt show that its a uphill sweeper, pretty steep actually. Palo Alto need to add signs before theres a nasty head on collision.

 

[JoziKilos]

Looks like a good save to me, and good braking skills.

 

[Deftone]

I grew up in Palo Alto, Page mill was my go to road. It's definitely got some tricky spots, though.

 

[sidewazzz]

I'm going based on your throttle and brake delivery you had not been on this road for a while of ever.

 

[Lunch Box]

It has all been said already, but +1 on the good reflexes after complacency bit you in the ass. :thumbup We've all been caught out like that at one time or another, and it is good to see that your reactions/reflexes are well-trained and kept you out of danger.

 

[ScottRNelson]

It's time to read Proficient Motorcycling by David L. Hough and pay particular attention to the section about judging upcoming corners. Over the years I've gotten very good at judging appropriate corner speeds on unfamiliar corners. There are various clues to help you, such as noticing the trees as already mentioned, but also how far around you can see and the angle of the road where it turns.

Better to be a bit too slow into some unknown corners than a bit too fast. You didn't go outside the line, you just didn't set up to make the turn. I wouldn't consider that a major mistake, but you'll want to work on your corner judging skills so that you're a bit smoother the next time that happens.

 

[rodr]

Seems pretty irresponsible to have no warning sign at all for a hairpin curve. I wonder what the accident history is there.