Defensive Riding
The day I nearly lost my leg
It was 1980. It was late on a Summer Saturday afternoon. I was 20 years old, full of the dumbass fearlessness that so often accompanies youth. I was riding a 1969 Harley Shovelhead. I accelerated quickly from an intersection on a busy main drag, leaving the rest of the cars behind. I wasn't racing, but I was moving along faster than the rest of traffic. I wasn't wearing a helmet—this was long before California eliminated that choice.
Click here to continue...Know Thy Enemy - Cell Phone To Her Ear, A Finger On The Wheel...
Cell phone to her ear, index finger resting lightly atop the the steering wheel -- she was prepared for nearly anything -- except an emergency.
Yeah, this photo was taken before the recent "hands free" vehicle code rules took effect in California. But then, this thoroughly modern gal is pretty much driving hands-free (and brain-free) anyway.
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Duct Tape Use Case #7,624,123 - Holding Your Car Together After A Collision
A friend sent this to me a while ago, so I thought I'd get off my duff and post it. It was taken in Silicon Valley last year, and it shows just how silly some people can be.
Here we have a car that has taken a significant impact to the rear quarter, enough to tweak the entire car (this is a unibody car, after all) and someone felt it would be reasonable to 1) hold it all together with duct tape, and 2) drive the car in Bay Area traffic.
Stay alert, people. This kind of driver is capable of all sorts of carnage.
Photo provided by James Cheap
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Gearless in Montana
Spotted this pair in Montana (outside Great Falls on highway 15). I'm sure Dwight will have something to say about this picture. I love the fact that Montana hasn't criminalized helmetless riding, but I still cringe when I think about a slide while wearing shorts and sneakers.
Hey, I'm old-fashioned - I rode helmetless for years as a youth. The decision to wear a helmet is a personal one, and not that of society via government.
I'm cool with people risking their skin. Just as long as they accept the responsibility and bear the cost for the outcome.
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Another cage-related motorcycle fatality
Another cage driver kills a biker. This was a seriously messed-up situation.
The biker, Gregory Clyde Shannon, of Placerville, California, was minding his own business, when along comes a suspected drunk driver in a pickup truck, and hits him head-on. Hit him hard enough to knock the driver's side front wheel off the truck.
The truck driver leaves the scene, still driving the truck sans front wheel. Sparks flying.
Adding insult to injury, it appears that the truck driver continued on for 7 miles - starting numerous brush fires and totally destroying three homes in the process.
Click here to continue...Book Review - Sport Riding Techniques
From the publisher:
Contemporary sport bikes accelerate faster, brake harder, and slice through corners deeper than ever before. These technologically advanced motorcycles are exhilarating to ride, but to really get the most out of your motorcycle's performance capabilities you need to develop your own personal performance. You need to take your skills to the next level.
Publisher:
David Bull Publishing
Copyright:
2003
ISBN:
1893618072
Pages:
128
Price:
24.95
Synopsis:
From the publisher:
Contemporary sport bikes accelerate faster, brake harder, and slice through corners deeper than ever before. These technologically advanced motorcycles are exhilarating to ride, but to really get the most out of your motorcycle's performance capabilities you need to develop your own personal performance. You need to take your skills to the next level.
Now, in this book written specifically for sport riders, well-known journalist, racer, and riding school instructor Nick Ienatsch provides you with the tools and techniques to help you analyze and develop that personal performance.
If you're an experienced rider, Nick will help you hone and perfect your skills, operate controls with even greater finesse, and apply race-proven techniques on the track. If you're a beginning rider, Nick will show you how to develop proper skills and safety habits that will add to your motorcycling enjoyment and stay with you for the rest of your life.
Review:
Nick Ienatsch has raced and ridden the top street and race motorcycles as a journalist and racer.
This book has top-notch photography and illustrations including new photos and some great shots of famous racers.
The text covers all aspects of riding a motorcycle including the mental control required and physical control including barking, counter-steering and proper body position. The material is presented in concise yet understandable terms with examples that really make this a valuable learning tool.
The following is a synopsis of some of the key concepts required to ride safely and efficiently that are expressed in this book.
Master your motorcycle – practice and continue learning how to maximize your control of your motorcycle. Learn your limits as well as those of your motorcycle.
Mental Control – Know when to chill and when you can go fast. Analyze traffic hazards, road conditions and potential hazards. If you are unfamiliar with a road CHILL it’s not a race. The more familiar you become with a section of road the more relaxed you will be and the more fun you will have riding.
Ride “the pace” – Limit your speed on the straights and have fun in the corners. There are too many single bike accidents caused by riding too fast and exceeding their skill level or riders exercising poor judgment about the surface conditions.
This is not a book you want to read once and put away, it can be a valuable training reference that you con continue to refer to as your skills progress. I recommend this book for both new and experienced riders alike.
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