A32 Dangerous Bend

[Pukmeister]

Took the GSA for a spin/shakedown ride post-maintenance. Went through the Meon Hut (Loomies) crossroads heading North to Bahnstormers up the long straight uphill section. I usually open the bike up here, take in a few overtakes if available then approaching the right hander at the top of the hill I knock it back a gear, set up for the bend on a positive throttle then gas it hard on the bend exit. Luckily for me I decided to go steady this time and coast through in top at a (ahem) slower speed, honest Officer.

I didn't see the huge pile of mud/shit/wet leaf mould in the shadows beneath the tree on the bend. With the bike leant over at speed I felt a huge sideways lurch/two wheel slide towards the bushes and just managed to stay on Tarmac, more through luck than rider skill to be honest.

It's a popular biking route I've ridden for decades, but it caught me out. I got lucky. Thought I'd better post here and warn others.

 

[ymfb]

Those kind of conditions are fairly prevalent at this time of the year and can easily catch you out at slow speeds, at high speed it must have been a trouser filling moment.

Glad you made it

 

[Micky]

Mmmmmm no such thing as a dangerous bend I'm afraid

Just saying like

Just saying ....

Oh yeah .... edit. Glad you made it OK

 

[Nutty]

I rode that bend this afternoon, and didn't have a problem. I did come up behind a group of sports bikes wobbling along, so didn't have the opportunity to take it at speed. Luckily, by the sounds of it.

On another note, what was going on at Loomies today? It was much busier than usual, and there were bikes parked all up the road in every direction.

 

[Pukmeister]

Mmmmmm no such thing as a dangerous bend I'm afraid

Just saying like

Just saying ....

Oh yeah .... edit. Glad you made it OK

Cheers Micky, and with respect because I know your form, isn't ANY bend dangerous if conditions change unexpectedly and make it so?

I usually ride to the 'system', but still got a surprise this time through a moment of complacency. Every days a school day as they say. I only saw how bad the conditions were on the bend when coming back southwards in lower contrast. On the first leg I was squinting like hell into the shade under the trees and just couldn't see the pile in the centre of my side of the road in the bend. Not sure what else I could have done better with hindsight?

No idea about Loomies though Nutty, I hardly go there as it's usually full of posers and idiots on a weekend.

 

[Micky]

I didn't see the huge pile of mud/shit/wet leaf mould in the shadows beneath the tree on the bend.......

Cheers Micky, and with respect because I know your form .....

...... but still got a surprise this time through a moment of complacency. Every days a school day as they say......

Sorry Adam, wasn't having a pop at you, honest. I'm sat here with my 'Peter Perfect' hat on

You've answered you own question above .... every 'accident' I've had over my 50+ years on two wheels has been my fault

Indeed .... every day is a schoolday

 

[dmilne]

Loomies was supposed to close last week.
I heard a new owner has been found who will keep it open. Whoopee!

 

[Nutty]

No idea about Loomies though Nutty, I hardly go there as it's usually full of posers and idiots on a weekend.

Occasionally we ride past, but I can't remember the last time I went in there. I figured there was some sort of event going on, but was surprised to see all the lights on, as I'd heard it was closing.

 

[Pukmeister]

Sorry Adam, wasn't having a pop at you, honest.

The thought didn't even cross my mind Micky. I'm sure you are a complete gent.

For the record, if I had crashed it would have been a 'single vehicle accident' and been entirely my own fault.

 

[Micky]

For the record, if I had crashed it would have been a 'single vehicle accident' and been entirely my own fault.

Well that's how I look at things
Never, after an accident, be in a position to say that you failed to spot a prat ... in most of my misdemeanours the prat was me

.... and on the occasions it was another prat then I was still a prat for not spotting him

 

[snelly]

Well that's how I look at things
Never, after an accident, be in a position to say that you failed to spot a prat ... in most of my misdemeanours the prat was me

.... and on the occasions it was another prat then I was still a prat for not spotting him

I'am liking your honest and critical self analysis,fucked up myself a few weeks ago,and got lucky. I can't remember the last time I did'nt react to what I could see and just asumed my right of way. Although he pulled out on me , I felt the bigger twat. It was a fuckin big realty check for me.Be careful out there.

 

[LittleJohn]

Loomies was supposed to close last week.
I heard a new owner has been found who will keep it open. Whoopee!

Closing and re-opening with new owners

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=866285266749583&set=vb.143055772405873&type=2&theater

 

[Old Codger]

Dodgy Bend ?

Adam
Know that bend well , going north apart from being darker under the trees, and greasy autumn leaves falling, signed but hidden just after the apex as you exit is a is a small lane on the left at the top of the hill .
The main trap for the unwary is any opposing vehicle turning right into the lane.DAMHIK !
Hammer on at your peril ,it has claimed a few already.
Tis a case of observation and going at a speed you stop in the distance available, easy to say but this one is not easily spotted.
Ride safe.

 

[Lord Snooty]

I know exactly where you went wrong! Your first mistake was taking the bike out during the close season - don't you know that apparently there is something called a biking season now? You are not supposed to be riding between the months of October and May, just go and ask any Harley or sports bike jock, if you can find one at this time of year that is, and they will confirm that by now your bike should be tucked up in the garage and should not see daylight until May 2015. Now off you go and don't you dare do it again

 

[Pukmeister]

.....hidden just after the apex as you exit is a small lane on the left at the top of the hill .
The main trap for the unwary is any opposing vehicle turning right into the lane.DAMHIK !

Thanks for the reminder Old Codger you are quite correct about cars turning or pulling out all along the route (along with tractors, combine harvesters and myopic pensioners on a Sunday drive etc.)

All part of my riding plan.......I've just added bad surfaces in the shadows beneath Autumn trees to that list.

And as for the so called 'riding season', I shall treat that with the contempt it deserves!


Sent via my iThingumabob

 

[Ogmios]

...
All part of my riding plan.......I've just added bad surfaces in the shadows beneath Autumn trees to that list.
...

i calls them 'microclimates'.
Same fing / but less chance of spelink eros

 

[Delboy777]

Expect the unexpected and what if ? Comes to mind.

 

[Micky]

Expect the unexpected and what if ? Comes to mind.

For years I've been quoting that phrase ... "Always expect the unexpected" and yet it somehow hung heavy, didn't ring true ... I wasn't happy with it but didn't know why

Then the penny dropped ... quite simply ... how can you expect the unexpected

You can't ....

 

[Ogmios]

For years I've been quoting that phrase ... "Always expect the unexpected" and yet it somehow hung heavy, didn't ring true ... I wasn't happy with it but didn't know why

Then the penny dropped ... quite simply ... how can you expect the unexpected

You can't ....

Yer not catching me out with that one!
That's a rhetorical question innit?
I try augie) and keep a 'Riding Plan' in my head - i.e;
~ What can i see?
~ What can i NOT see?
~ ... and what's likely to happen as a result?

keeps me sharp[ish].