Puckered Sphincter - for real

[Bungie]

Okay, some of the guys here have seen this on my video recording unit at the Inn, nevertheless, I'm going to offer it up here in the hopes that others won't do what I did. My pride is wounded over posting this, but if it saves somebody else some grief, than swallowing my pride is worth it.

Before clicking the link, the story.

Fred (SmokeFJR) are on EOM Route 1 coming down the backside of Potts Mountain in Virginia. Its a stunning ride, I was really enjoying the scenery, the road, the company, it was perfect. Just prior to this particular switchback we had come through a series of 3 or 4 of them. Frankly, I just completely zoned out for a split second, my mind was far away.

I entered the switch back slightly hot for my skill level, when I came to my senses I realized this, I applied some trailing rear brake to scrub off a bit of speed. Then I saw the gravel. The first slide is my sphincter saying OH SHIT! I locked the back wheel. The second and third slides are gravel. This could have been a pretty nasty low side, or, worse, a high side.

I had new Dunlop Roadsmarts installed on Friday by Freedom in Princeton (great deal!), but its a dual compound tire, with a much harder center patch. I firmly believe that the Azaro's I was running would NOT have locked up like this. But thats neither here or nor there. Ultimately, as the rider, were all responsible for our actions.

Please learn from my graphic mistake.

Puckered Sphincter

 

[fjrob1300]

Good save!!

 

[Wolfhound]

We've all been there one time or another. Thanks for putting safety back on the front page . . . . A timely reminder for the TWN ride this weekend...

 

[Murph]

You have no worries about pride around here. You're fortunate to have stayed upright. You did something right.

Bottom line (as is repeatedly stated in various posts on this forum) is that we need to pay attention, be realistic about our skills, and don't exceed that level.

Thanks for the reminder and thanks for sharing.

 

[Scab]

I remember watching that on the little screen back at the Inn. Don't feel bad, I did one of those myself. There just wasn't anyone recording it. That day, my head just wasn't in it the way it should be. I cruised on back in early and took a nap.

 

[Low Level FJR Pilot]

BTDT! Good recovery, a half minute later on this and you would have bit the car though. Take care and ride safe. B)

 

[DJB]

You mean we are not suppose to do that. Zone out I mean. After 5 hours of hard riding I have trouble remembering my name. Thanks for sharing now I can show my wife what it was like. :dribble:

 

[08FJR4ME]

IMO, The guy in front of you was riding a much better line and anticipating the corners sooner but then again he was in the lead. After watching this several times it looks like fatigue was setting in. You were also a lot closer to that cager at the end than i would like to be.

Definately was a pucker moment.

Well i have been there also, maybe not that close but you do get that pucker up feeling. I have also done several 13 to 15 hr. days and the last few hours it seems like the Feeej is getting me home at that point. Extremely hard to focus and concentrate.

Well we are both here to live another day and we have had another lesson to learn. Thanks for the video and i am glad you can ride another day.

 

[HartClimbs]

Video didn't play smoothly for me (maybe a PC problem on my end), but it did look like the bike in front was on the brakes in the middle of some of the curves (again, maybe it's just my PC acting up and I'm mistaken). It always throws me off if someone gets on the binders in the curves ahead of me.

Either way - glad you're ok.

 

[f1fan]

Video didn't play smoothly for me (maybe a PC problem on my end),

I also have trouble watching blip.TV videos. It has the same studdering of the video as with Cyclebabble's videos. Not sure what the problem is. I guess it's my PC.

So I didn't get to see the video all the way through, but I am glad that nothing major happened. Pucker moments are never fun.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Hey, you didn't drop the bike.

Looks like you handled pretty good to me.

 

[OhioFJR1300]

Nice video, really shows what can happen. I saw this at the hotel and would like some more info on the video equipment that you used to film this. I would like to get a set up like you have, seems to work very well. Thanks for sharing this with us.

 

[GalaxyBlue]

I had new Dunlop Roadsmarts installed on Friday by Freedom in Princeton (great deal!), but its a dual compound tire, with a much harder center patch. I firmly believe that the Azaro's I was running would NOT have locked up like this. But thats neither here or nor there. Ultimately, as the rider, were all responsible for our actions.

You might be on to something here... I was running Roadsmarts also, And the rear locks EASY now.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Apparently you forgot ya wasn't on yer Gixxer! These fat ol gurls don't like to be manhandled!

Nice save ... did ya learn sumpin?

:jester:

 

[jwilly]

Steve,

Thanks for posting the video so others can learn. Just a couple observations based on the short video.

Drop one more gear when running in tighter turns and switchbacks. This will allow you to have better control of the bikes speed with little or no braking. If your in the turn use slight trail braking to scrub off some speed.

I think what you experienced here is target fixation, when you saw the gravel in the turn you lost focus on the turn and starting picking a spot to head for the ditch. Not easy but you need to change that thought process into I'm going to ride through this turn! We rode the same route several times over the weekend and in one of the turns I did the same type of thing. Ngarider was right behind me and when we stopped he said dude you totally lost focus on that one turn. He was right, I wasn't going too fast or have to much gravel to ride through, I just lost focus on the turn and backed out of the throttle and got on the brakes.

Just my $.02.

Please note that I am by no means a great rider or for that matter should I be giving advice. This is however the internet.

JW

 

[GalaxyBlue]

Please note that I am by no means a great rider or for that matter should I be giving advice. This is however the internet.
JW

Who the hell are you trying to bullshit here?

I know different! :lol:

 

[Toecutter]

I had new Dunlop Roadsmarts installed on Friday by Freedom in Princeton (great deal!), but its a dual compound tire, with a much harder center patch. I firmly believe that the Azaro's I was running would NOT have locked up like this. But thats neither here or nor there. Ultimately, as the rider, were all responsible for our actions.

You might be on to something here... I was running Roadsmarts also, And the rear locks EASY now.

I :wub: my ABS!

 

[dcarver]

Ahh, hell, you're just learning how to back the big old fat girl into the corners...

 

[ngarider]

Please note that I am by no means a great rider or for that matter should I be giving advice. This is however the internet.
JW

Who the hell are you trying to bullshit here?

I know different! :lol:

No, no, he's right ... he blows. Couldn't even get by me and Ashe with our handicrapped PR2's. :lol: :lol: