hi While enjoying the evening a weekly half-hour commute and chatting to the guy behind me on the intercom I came up to a roundabout and decided, as I often do, I should take it with the greatest of enthusiasm known to man. With a majestic swerve to the right I found myself on the roundabout followed by another swerve following the inside of the bend. where I found myself on the tar looking at slowmo images of the bike sliding away ass first balancing on the cilinder head protector and crash bars. The road was clearly not impressed by my ballet-like performance. To my surprise all traffic froze the instant I tipped over. thanks to the attentive drivers waiting for their turn. After killing the engine and securing the bike on the sidewalk went to check the road where a suspicious glistening spot drew my attention. some poor sap spilled diesel or engine oil in a neatly drawn crescent shape. damage to the bike is surprisingly light. The same can be said about my gear. Helmet never touched the ground. Looks like my ego broke the fall. Got rid of the shakes by continuing the commute like nothing ever happened. looking back I should've probably been more careful. I've read tons of stories of people wiping out on roundabouts. guess this is a bit long. but hey. it's my first. be gentle :) cheers!
I think low-speed, low-damage crashes like this are actually a good thing most of the time. I've had one myself and it was definitely a turning point in my riding. Before, I rode like an idiot teenager - fast everywhere, dragging pegs as often as possible, etc. etc., Now I am a bit more cautious. I still have fun on the bike, but it is more calculated and much safer. It's a good wake-up call and I'm glad you also seem to see it that way. Glad you and the bike weren't hurt too bad, either!
I agree. once you start getting comfortable doing something you'll be taught a lesson in humility. and if your lucky, like me, it'll be your ego taking the fall. I wasn't riding like an idiot though. not that I claim I never do or not that I take your comment personal. But at the time.. a little cocky yes, but well within my limits. Was not counting on or looking for a slick though :)
I never like to scratch the bike or the ego, but am thankful when both can be classed as minor damage. I am happy to hear both are OK for you!
Welcome to the club! It happens. Learn from it. When your confidence starts building back up, remember this. It is easy to let the confidence get too high again. Not that I would know about that happening 6 months after the first time. Sounds like it will be good for you in the long run. I suggest riding solo as much as possible. The ego-aerobics contribute to this behavior greatly.
As second nature you'll get proficient at constantly monitoring the little patch of pavement that you're driving over for oil, sand, gravel or anything foreign. --Bill
Thanks for reminding us of that hazard. I too tend to zip through the roundabouts with gusto. Glad you and the bike came through with minimal damage.
Wasn't meant personally, and I'm glad you didn't take it that way. I didn't mean to say you were being an idiot, I just know that I was riding like an idiot a lot back then, hauling through turns without really looking ahead or taking many risks into my calculations. I had a low-speed spill similar to the one you had and it was a big wake-up call for me.
I never like to hear of anyone goin down,but it let's me know I'm not alone in the process getting in to deep as I do at times
If it had been me, "chatting on the intercom with the guy behind me", I would have been showing off when I smeared the "diesel/oil" across the road. But that's only me...
Damn those roundabouts! Actually, they are kinda fun to enter hard. Usually, for me, the problem is all the painted warnings, which can be pretty slick here. Like the rest: Glad you're ok!!!
We attacked a roundabout in a similar vigorous fashion one day only to find a confused Grandma coming around the roundabout clockwise instead of counterclockwise. Stood it up in a hurry and was able to sneak by as she exited the circle. I guess she thought there was no need to go 270 when a quick 90 will do.
Sometimes a get off like this is something that keeps us all in check. Have had a few myself. Glad that you're OK.
We don't have many roundabouts in the Seattle area, the only one I run occasionally is on the way to my mechanic. I'll be running it a lot easier after reading your story. It's easy to get caught up in the enjoyment of just riding and forget that all sorts of stuff can and does coat the road surface usually resulting in way less traction.