Almost crashed today

[Tortuga_imp]

So I was out with Mrs. T a week or so ago when at a particular roundabout I smell diesel. Cautiously I enter the roundabout and see the patch of freshly spilt diesel which I gingerly mince around and avoid.

On the way back I give the same slick a wide berth and we get home safe and sound.

Today, I rode out and ended up at the same place, this time approaching from a different angle. My eyes were originally on the car to my left waiting to join the roundabout, which stayed put. Then I focused on the exit of the roundabout and looked for my line of drive.

I was using my limited peripheral vision to scan for spills on the road, but saw none, until it was too late.

My front tyre washed out like I'd hit ice. In a split second I goosed it, sat her up a bit, cleared the patch of diesel, smelled it , and made eye contact with the driver to my left who was all "wtf just happened?". I carried on, arse twitching for a few seconds, and then thought how lucky I'd been.

If I'd have throttled off, I'd have gone down. The bike felt Fur King heavy when it slipped. I'd never have caught it on my own, the bikes torque and the fact I had the revs in the mid range (4500 rpm ish) it picked up and got through the oil.

Scary stuff. I got home as quickly as I could and warmed up with a nice ale and some comfy clothing.

Good to be home!

Have any of you guys had a scare?

[CB4ME_imp]

Nice Save!

[Tortuga_imp]

Nice Save!

Thanks. More muscle memory and 27 years riding (and working for a while instructing) instilling some good basics than any ninja riding skillz.

Always a nice reality check when it happens.

[the Ferret]

Glad you saved her Tortuga...hey don't take kindly to being laid on their sides. I'm thinking you wouldn't have liked it much either.

[Red Mist_imp]

Roundabouts suck. They are stupid. Unfortunately they are catching on in some areas of the USA where the residents appear to feel they are "gentrified" because Europeans use them.

They are off camber. All fuel, coolant, and oil sloshes out of any vehicle with a leak and creates the kind of hazard that almost got you.

What's more, a good percentage of the drivers seem to want to show off their exceptional cornering skills and turn the whole thing into a race. So if you try to ride slowly to be cautious, some a**hole behind you is trying to crawl up your exhaust pipe.

I heard about these issues from other British riders decades ago and now, having a couple of these abominations in my neighborhood, I see what they were harping about.

[Tortuga_imp]

Glad you saved her Tortuga...hey don't take kindly to being laid on their sides. I'm thinking you wouldn't have liked it much either.

Oh Mr Ferret, you have no idea how dreadful it felt when Dixie slipped. It was like my moped turned into an oil tanker. It all happened so fast it was hard to monitor, looking back I think the right lean and dropping momentum may have caused my wrist to open the throttle and this right the bike. I probably have Keith Code, Andy Ibbot and a few others to thank.

Top tip for all: sit back in the seat. Grip the tank with your knees. Keep a loose grip on the bars. Accelerate OUT of danger, don't brake!

[DAC]

Wow. Heavy pucker factor with that one. Glad to see you came through cleanly.

[Tortuga_imp]

Roundabouts suck. They are stupid. Unfortunately they are catching on in some areas of the USA where the residents appear to feel they are "gentrified" because Europeans use them.

They are off camber. All fuel, coolant, and oil sloshes out of any vehicle with a leak and creates the kind of hazard that almost got you.

What's more, a good percentage of the drivers seem to want to show off their exceptional cornering skills and turn the whole thing into a race. So if you try to ride slowly to be cautious, some a**hole behind you is trying to crawl up your exhaust pipe.

I heard about these issues from other British riders decades ago and now, having a couple of these abominations in my neighborhood, I see what they were harping about.

Red, you are on the money with most of those observations. Roundabouts are normally (as 'mine' was) next to a truck stop, fuel station and other stupid places to conjoined the two.

As a result, fat greasy truck drivers overfill their trucks, and fat lazy car drivers do the same. Most cars in Britain are now running on diesel, so we have all manner of potential spills.

Roundabouts near filling stations can be a frickin death trap.

HOWEVER, in the right places, away from the trucks and knobbers, roundabouts provide a superb place to hone your cornering skills, as many 'roundabout surfers' will profess.

Go to any decently smooth one in the UK on a summer evening and watch scores of bikers dragging knees in endless loops or err, loopiness?

Wow. Heavy pucker factor with that one. Glad to see you came through cleanly.

Ha, yes thanks!

I'm not sure Mrs. T will be congratulating me so heartily when it comes to laundry day!

[Pauley]

Glad you didn't go down Tortuga. Sounds like a close one. I hate roundabouts.


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[Tortuga_imp]

Glad you didn't go down Tortuga. Sounds like a close one. I hate roundabouts.


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Thanks mate,

I have a few local ones that are 'bike Mecca' in the summer. I went round a particular one nearby 'accidentally' a few times the other night since it was so relaxing. Fuel stations should not be anywhere near them, and more to the point;

TRUCKERS, STOP OVER FILLING YOU NUT SACKS!