31-12-13, 02:41 PM
3 offs so far since completing the CBT in 2007.
1. 6 weeks after completing the CBT I was approaching a mini roundabout. To my right the view is blocked by a brick wall, however as it was dark I thought I'd be able to see the headlights of any oncoming traffic. I could, but it was too late to react properly when some old chav in a scrapper came flying along at 50+ (30 roads), I panicked and grabbed a fist full of brake. Over the handlebars I went, doing my best impression of Superman.
Lesson(s) learned: Slow down and be prepared to stop.
2. New Year's Eve 2009. A lovely clear morning when I left for work 15 miles away; an absolutely beautiful day for a ride. Unfortunately while I was at work it began to snow. And it snowed and snowed... By the time I left at 21:00 there was about 6 - 8" of snow. Kit on, take it slow, should be fine. It was for most of the journey but I then noticed a 3 series BMW sitting right on my backside. I tried to gesture to him so many times to overtake me but he just sat there, roughly 5 metres behind me. As we approached a junction that has red light cameras the lights started to change to red. I panicked, worrying about 3 points and the guy sitting on backside. The front wheel then went AWOL and I slid over the stop line with the bike on my leg. I tried to get out from under the bike but kept slipping on the snow so I turned to the bloke sitting in the BMW and tried to signal that I needed help. He just sat there with his arms folded. I was lucky in that a woman and her son came round the corner and they helped to get the bike off me and upright in the gutter. As soon as the road was clear the bloke in the BMW drove away. Thankfully, the woman who helped me had a friend who lived in one of the corner houses at the junction and I was able to leave my bike there for a couple of weeks. There was also a young lad in a Corsa who offered me a lift the rest of the way home.
Lesson(s) learned: Sweeping generalisation: People in 3 series BMWs are dicks! Don't ride in the snow if I don't have to, although I had to on this occasion.
3. May 2010. About a month after getting the bike back on the road following the New Year's eve spill I was heading up to a mate's for an afternoon of FIFA. I was close to his when I had to stop before turning right into a side street. Unfortunately the lad who was pulling out decided not to wait for me and just ploughed his (mate's) Volvo into the side of me. My right foot took the brunt of the hit and my left leg stopped the bike from breaking too much as it toppled over.
Lesson(s) learned: Uninsured scratters don't pay much attention to the road when they're carrying/delivering drugs for their associates.
1. 6 weeks after completing the CBT I was approaching a mini roundabout. To my right the view is blocked by a brick wall, however as it was dark I thought I'd be able to see the headlights of any oncoming traffic. I could, but it was too late to react properly when some old chav in a scrapper came flying along at 50+ (30 roads), I panicked and grabbed a fist full of brake. Over the handlebars I went, doing my best impression of Superman.
Lesson(s) learned: Slow down and be prepared to stop.
2. New Year's Eve 2009. A lovely clear morning when I left for work 15 miles away; an absolutely beautiful day for a ride. Unfortunately while I was at work it began to snow. And it snowed and snowed... By the time I left at 21:00 there was about 6 - 8" of snow. Kit on, take it slow, should be fine. It was for most of the journey but I then noticed a 3 series BMW sitting right on my backside. I tried to gesture to him so many times to overtake me but he just sat there, roughly 5 metres behind me. As we approached a junction that has red light cameras the lights started to change to red. I panicked, worrying about 3 points and the guy sitting on backside. The front wheel then went AWOL and I slid over the stop line with the bike on my leg. I tried to get out from under the bike but kept slipping on the snow so I turned to the bloke sitting in the BMW and tried to signal that I needed help. He just sat there with his arms folded. I was lucky in that a woman and her son came round the corner and they helped to get the bike off me and upright in the gutter. As soon as the road was clear the bloke in the BMW drove away. Thankfully, the woman who helped me had a friend who lived in one of the corner houses at the junction and I was able to leave my bike there for a couple of weeks. There was also a young lad in a Corsa who offered me a lift the rest of the way home.
Lesson(s) learned: Sweeping generalisation: People in 3 series BMWs are dicks! Don't ride in the snow if I don't have to, although I had to on this occasion.
3. May 2010. About a month after getting the bike back on the road following the New Year's eve spill I was heading up to a mate's for an afternoon of FIFA. I was close to his when I had to stop before turning right into a side street. Unfortunately the lad who was pulling out decided not to wait for me and just ploughed his (mate's) Volvo into the side of me. My right foot took the brunt of the hit and my left leg stopped the bike from breaking too much as it toppled over.
Lesson(s) learned: Uninsured scratters don't pay much attention to the road when they're carrying/delivering drugs for their associates.
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