04-20-2014, 03:30 AM
O.k, I just watched a whole load of crash compilation videos on YouTube.
Some were the funny type where old granny has a go on young Timmy's new 80cc dirt bike round the grade and wheelies off the back at 3 mph.
Some were the horrific Russian high speed jobs where the rider is flung spinning through the air like a rag doll as the bike somersaults and disintegrates down the road.
Some, are the sort of 'first person view' a helmet cam offers and we see our GoPro hero misjudge a corner, or get hit by a car on the wrong side of the road head on.
Sometimes it's their buddy in front that bites the dust.
Watching these videos always leaves me with a very real and quite sickening sense of my own mortality, particularly in respect to my 'choice' to ride a motorbike for 'pleasure'.
If I were an impoverished Chinese factory worker or lived in a slum in India, having a cheap crappy scooter would be life-enhancing, and a great alternative to walking or riding a water buffalo (in leathers).
The fact is, I'm a lucky swine who was born in the right part of the world, has a relatively easy job that pays reasonably well.
I have a nice top-of-the range car to swan about in and go shopping, Mrs. T (well GF. T) has one too, so we can see that the bike is a mere indulgence.
Now that's all good and well, but it's when I mentally analyse the risk and watch these wretched videos that I ponder such questions as
"Maybe if I sold my bike or never rode it I'll avoid a gruesome horrific early death, or becoming paralysed or an amputee?"
I don't want to become like that because then you would love a life devoid of risk, or excitement, which are essential parts of our being. (I think).
Be honest guys, does this ever bother you? Or am I just a big poof?
http://youtu.be/Nbhk2zqEuWM
This is the sort of video, for the uninitiated.
I don't expect any replies for 20 minutes, I mean you'll have to read the post, then watch the video, then have a stiff drink.
By the way Spaceman, I've already pre-empted your reply;
"You're right Tortuga, it's just you..you big fairy!"
Some were the funny type where old granny has a go on young Timmy's new 80cc dirt bike round the grade and wheelies off the back at 3 mph.
Some were the horrific Russian high speed jobs where the rider is flung spinning through the air like a rag doll as the bike somersaults and disintegrates down the road.
Some, are the sort of 'first person view' a helmet cam offers and we see our GoPro hero misjudge a corner, or get hit by a car on the wrong side of the road head on.
Sometimes it's their buddy in front that bites the dust.
Watching these videos always leaves me with a very real and quite sickening sense of my own mortality, particularly in respect to my 'choice' to ride a motorbike for 'pleasure'.
If I were an impoverished Chinese factory worker or lived in a slum in India, having a cheap crappy scooter would be life-enhancing, and a great alternative to walking or riding a water buffalo (in leathers).
The fact is, I'm a lucky swine who was born in the right part of the world, has a relatively easy job that pays reasonably well.
I have a nice top-of-the range car to swan about in and go shopping, Mrs. T (well GF. T) has one too, so we can see that the bike is a mere indulgence.
Now that's all good and well, but it's when I mentally analyse the risk and watch these wretched videos that I ponder such questions as
"Maybe if I sold my bike or never rode it I'll avoid a gruesome horrific early death, or becoming paralysed or an amputee?"
I don't want to become like that because then you would love a life devoid of risk, or excitement, which are essential parts of our being. (I think).
Be honest guys, does this ever bother you? Or am I just a big poof?
http://youtu.be/Nbhk2zqEuWM
This is the sort of video, for the uninitiated.
I don't expect any replies for 20 minutes, I mean you'll have to read the post, then watch the video, then have a stiff drink.
By the way Spaceman, I've already pre-empted your reply;
"You're right Tortuga, it's just you..you big fairy!"