Took a tumble and learned some things

[Lucky Jones]

I was heading home from Rio Vista today after the Portuguese parade. I entered the highway 12/I-5 connector ramp, looked left while accelerating, and as I looked back ahead, I was REALLY wide, tried to tip back right, but the front tire fell off the asphalt and went down to the gravel, then it shot left and I met the pavement. And gravel.

I am OK, the bike and my gear, not so much.

Some things I learned.

Account for the wind pushing you off line. It was SO flipping windy today, but since it was blowing from behind, I forgot about its effects when I turned across it.

Look where you want to go, it's a long connector ramp, I didn't have to keep checking left. Since I was looking left, I was drifting left.

Always wear the gear. I wasn't wearing my moto pants, so I've got some strawberries on my knees from my marching pants abrading, but nothing more serious (thank FSM).

Keep the BARF angels phone number in the phone, $350 is an expensive ride home.

Thanks.


Ps: the asphalt is about 5 inches higher than the gravel, so, if there hadn't been the huge step, maybe everything woulda been cool...maybe.

 

[flying_hun]

Ouch, so in terms of what you'd do differently next time, look where you want to go and be aware of the effect of wind? Anything else? Not saying there should be, just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything.

 

[budman]

Did you touch the front brake when you hit the gravel or do you think it was just the step that pushed the front wide. ?

 

[Lucky Jones]

Ouch, so in terms of what you'd do differently next time, look where you want to go and be aware of the effect of wind? Anything else? Not saying there should be, just want to make sure I'm not overlooking anything.

I think I was already fairly left in the lane, so maybe I'd try to be better centered or even more to the right, to allow for drift...

Did you touch the front brake when you hit the gravel or do you think it was just the step that pushed the front wide. ?

I don't think I consciously grabbed brake, but I cover the lever when in traffic, so it may have gotten some energy from me when the front wheel went crashing down. It's a big step and the shoulder cambers away, so...

 

[bcv_west]

Look where you want to go, it's a long connector ramp, I didn't have to keep checking left. Since I was looking left, I was drifting left.

Very glad you're ok, sounds like it could've been much worse. And thanks for the reminder. I suspect the above has given a few of us a close call or two on freeway ramps or gentle sweepers with a view, where you relax and get ahead of yourself. Amazing how fast the bike can drift offline in the direction you're rubbernecking.