Grant H.
Sun Aug 12th, 2012, 08:19 PM
Went out riding with a group totaling 5 today.
Left Hygiene at 10:30AM and headed across 66 to Lyons. Headed up 7, then across P2P and then down Coal Creek. Came back up 93 to 128, stopped and had lunch in Louisville, then home.
Roads were great. A few slow pokes on 7 and across P2P but a very nice, tame (newer riders - me included - with), ride through the mountains.
Warning to anyone running Coal Creek canyon, there are some spots that still have gravel in the middle of the road. Not a problem if you are paying attention, but can make for a surprise.
As for the quick get-off today, it was nothing more than a split focus fawk up on my part.
Two of us got through the light from 72 onto 93, and the other three got stuck. So we were pulling over to wait for them, and I misread what the rider in front of me was doing, so I was watching for cars turning onto 93 from the other side as we were headed to cross the turn/acceleration lane.
Only problem, the rider in front of me had planned to stop in the triangle between the main lane of 93 and the turn/acceleration lane. So when I looked back, he was much closer than I expected and I grabbed the clutch and brakes while the front tire was turned to the right just a bit. Apparently, I grabbed with idiot "oh shat" strength, locked the front up, which cause the bike to deposit me on the ground and slide a little ways on its left side.
Some fairing scrapes, and a nick in the exhaust, and the bike is fine.
My left hip and elbow were the first to hit. No padding on the hip means it is sore and bruised, but no visible damage. My jacket has some rash on the left elbow, but Thank God for CE armor in the elbow. Little red/bloody scuff on the left knee, and my work boot has some nice scratches in the leather. Left glove has some rash on the palm, but it is still usable as well.
All in all, for only having been riding 4-5 months, and to have this be the worst "oops" I have had, I am extremely grateful.
Noob error aside, great day on the bike.
Pics to follow later.
Left Hygiene at 10:30AM and headed across 66 to Lyons. Headed up 7, then across P2P and then down Coal Creek. Came back up 93 to 128, stopped and had lunch in Louisville, then home.
Roads were great. A few slow pokes on 7 and across P2P but a very nice, tame (newer riders - me included - with), ride through the mountains.
Warning to anyone running Coal Creek canyon, there are some spots that still have gravel in the middle of the road. Not a problem if you are paying attention, but can make for a surprise.
As for the quick get-off today, it was nothing more than a split focus fawk up on my part.
Two of us got through the light from 72 onto 93, and the other three got stuck. So we were pulling over to wait for them, and I misread what the rider in front of me was doing, so I was watching for cars turning onto 93 from the other side as we were headed to cross the turn/acceleration lane.
Only problem, the rider in front of me had planned to stop in the triangle between the main lane of 93 and the turn/acceleration lane. So when I looked back, he was much closer than I expected and I grabbed the clutch and brakes while the front tire was turned to the right just a bit. Apparently, I grabbed with idiot "oh shat" strength, locked the front up, which cause the bike to deposit me on the ground and slide a little ways on its left side.
Some fairing scrapes, and a nick in the exhaust, and the bike is fine.
My left hip and elbow were the first to hit. No padding on the hip means it is sore and bruised, but no visible damage. My jacket has some rash on the left elbow, but Thank God for CE armor in the elbow. Little red/bloody scuff on the left knee, and my work boot has some nice scratches in the leather. Left glove has some rash on the palm, but it is still usable as well.
All in all, for only having been riding 4-5 months, and to have this be the worst "oops" I have had, I am extremely grateful.
Noob error aside, great day on the bike.
Pics to follow later.