Sp!ke
Administrator
[edit]
got waylayed in the bushes did we?
got waylayed in the bushes did we?
OP
OP
Ade B
MB Enthusiast
Evening all, just got back in time to feed junior before his bed..
Firstly, thanks again for all the responses, makes for entertaining reading.
Couple of thoughts from today.
I am absolutely fine, I've a twinge on the inside ligament of my knee which is more likely from the run I went on first thing yesterday
, a bruise on my hip and a slightly stiff shoulder, apart from that I don't feel like I picked myself off the road yesterday at all.
The bike is probably fine bar cosmetic damage to the cylinder head covers and mudguard - I rode it back to the office and then to my flat. Allegedly the insurance company is going to take it away for assessment and I had a long conversation with a second insurance company under Bennetts which is supposedly providing me with an equivalent hire bike at no cost (slightly suspicious here...) - be interesting to see what it is as the S is an odd beast in a class of one... If it was down to me, I'd probably leave it as it is and go for the BMW rat bike look, but the insurance ball has started rolling..
Public transport is ok in London, it cost me £9 for a 4 zone travel card 3 journeys and probably added 1.5 hours to my day - I did get to eat a double decker and read both the London Paper and Metro which cancels out the exercise of the additional walking about and probably killed more brain cells than yesterday's off. On the plus side I perhaps at least appeared to look like lead consultant in meetings (without grubby bike jacket and hair by Shoei)
Re John's cautionary remarks - I have occasionally contemplated the implications of my sometime chosen form of transport and have pretty much stopped going for group rideouts and even solo jaunts into the sticks for fun for precisely the reasons cited. The last group rideout I was on involved me being narrowly missed by an experienced rider falling off behind me because he couldn't stop in the distance he could see.
Doing umpteen trackdays over two seasons and progressing from novice to fast group (fwiw) showed me that roads are not the place to push your limits (and tyres are expensive
). I contemplated club racing for about 5 minutes and then fell off painfully (albeit relatively injury free) at a track I had become familiar with and hence overconfident.. The cost of repairs and implications to my work and family kicked that into touch. Racing is for proper (young) nutters.
I've had 6 odd years of fantastic bike experiences, including touring around the UK, Spain and Portugal with my wife, I don't think I'm about to stop riding but I'll certainly be a bit more cautious around town - although I think the blame for my accident lies squarely with the van driver, I feel I let my usually defensive riding technique slip and somehow am partially at fault. I've had so many near misses in the past, I suppose luck and judgement runs out at some point. Having said that, a friend of mine died of cancer aged 30, many friends have lost loved ones prematurely to illness or incident - biking is not in my blood by any stretch, but I think life is more interesting when it includes a few calculated risks. Hope that's not my epitaph....
Oh and the laptop is fine, and performed better than usual in today's meetings (perhaps because I charged it up fully last night...)
Ade
Firstly, thanks again for all the responses, makes for entertaining reading.
Couple of thoughts from today.
I am absolutely fine, I've a twinge on the inside ligament of my knee which is more likely from the run I went on first thing yesterday
, a bruise on my hip and a slightly stiff shoulder, apart from that I don't feel like I picked myself off the road yesterday at all.The bike is probably fine bar cosmetic damage to the cylinder head covers and mudguard - I rode it back to the office and then to my flat. Allegedly the insurance company is going to take it away for assessment and I had a long conversation with a second insurance company under Bennetts which is supposedly providing me with an equivalent hire bike at no cost (slightly suspicious here...) - be interesting to see what it is as the S is an odd beast in a class of one... If it was down to me, I'd probably leave it as it is and go for the BMW rat bike look, but the insurance ball has started rolling..
Public transport is ok in London, it cost me £9 for a 4 zone travel card 3 journeys and probably added 1.5 hours to my day - I did get to eat a double decker and read both the London Paper and Metro which cancels out the exercise of the additional walking about and probably killed more brain cells than yesterday's off. On the plus side I perhaps at least appeared to look like lead consultant in meetings (without grubby bike jacket and hair by Shoei)
Re John's cautionary remarks - I have occasionally contemplated the implications of my sometime chosen form of transport and have pretty much stopped going for group rideouts and even solo jaunts into the sticks for fun for precisely the reasons cited. The last group rideout I was on involved me being narrowly missed by an experienced rider falling off behind me because he couldn't stop in the distance he could see.
Doing umpteen trackdays over two seasons and progressing from novice to fast group (fwiw) showed me that roads are not the place to push your limits (and tyres are expensive
). I contemplated club racing for about 5 minutes and then fell off painfully (albeit relatively injury free) at a track I had become familiar with and hence overconfident.. The cost of repairs and implications to my work and family kicked that into touch. Racing is for proper (young) nutters.I've had 6 odd years of fantastic bike experiences, including touring around the UK, Spain and Portugal with my wife, I don't think I'm about to stop riding but I'll certainly be a bit more cautious around town - although I think the blame for my accident lies squarely with the van driver, I feel I let my usually defensive riding technique slip and somehow am partially at fault. I've had so many near misses in the past, I suppose luck and judgement runs out at some point. Having said that, a friend of mine died of cancer aged 30, many friends have lost loved ones prematurely to illness or incident - biking is not in my blood by any stretch, but I think life is more interesting when it includes a few calculated risks. Hope that's not my epitaph....
Oh and the laptop is fine, and performed better than usual in today's meetings (perhaps because I charged it up fully last night...)
Ade
Spinal
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
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- 4,806
- Location
- between Uxbridge and the Alps
- Car
- x254, G350, Duster, S320, Mach1, 900ss and a few more
Glad to hear you're ok!
Similarly to you, I ride a bike and have had an off (or two
). Even more similarly, I don't wear bike trousers either - they are just alot of hassle!
I've learnt my lesson, and still don't wear bike trousers! I am planning to experiment with the kevlar-jeans (as made by RedRoute and Draggin). Have you ever considered something similar? (Personally, I can't wait for a kevlar lined business suit with armour pockets...)
Michele
Similarly to you, I ride a bike and have had an off (or two
). Even more similarly, I don't wear bike trousers either - they are just alot of hassle!I've learnt my lesson, and still don't wear bike trousers! I am planning to experiment with the kevlar-jeans (as made by RedRoute and Draggin). Have you ever considered something similar? (Personally, I can't wait for a kevlar lined business suit with armour pockets...)
Michele
OP
OP
Ade B
MB Enthusiast
Glad to hear you're ok!
Similarly to you, I ride a bike and have had an off (or two
I've learnt my lesson, and still don't wear bike trousers! I am planning to experiment with the kevlar-jeans (as made by RedRoute and Draggin). Have you ever considered something similar? (Personally, I can't wait for a kevlar lined business suit with armour pockets...)
Michele
I wear my bike pants if I'm venturing outside of London - there is a huge difference between tumbling at 20mph in the city to skidding for hundreds of yards on your **** down a country lane/ motorway at 90mph.
Ade
Glad you are ok.
I commute on the bus through Brixton every day...see some hairy driving tbh.
Living in S.London I have altered my driving somewhat, basically expect every idiot to pull out, or turn when not expected.
Take it easy when yoou get back out there.
I commute on the bus through Brixton every day...see some hairy driving tbh.
Living in S.London I have altered my driving somewhat, basically expect every idiot to pull out, or turn when not expected.
Take it easy when yoou get back out there.
Sp!ke
Administrator
RE: bike trousers
I have a pair of oldish Hein Gericke Tuareg trousers. Cordura mainly with Leather on the knees and bum. With the goretex lining removed they are very cool in summer and slip over normal trousers with ease.
In winter, the lined goretex inner works a treat, 100% waterproof and warm.
Rain or shine, these are the best biking trousers I've even known.
Unfortunately they are no longer made. Newer versions are far inferior and not worthy of the name. My advice is to keep an eye on ebay for a second hand pair and you really wont regret it. Those in the know pay top dollar for these so dont be surprised at the prices. See example below.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290228833187&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123
You'll never ride without over trousers again - trust me.
I have a pair of oldish Hein Gericke Tuareg trousers. Cordura mainly with Leather on the knees and bum. With the goretex lining removed they are very cool in summer and slip over normal trousers with ease.
In winter, the lined goretex inner works a treat, 100% waterproof and warm.
Rain or shine, these are the best biking trousers I've even known.
Unfortunately they are no longer made. Newer versions are far inferior and not worthy of the name. My advice is to keep an eye on ebay for a second hand pair and you really wont regret it. Those in the know pay top dollar for these so dont be surprised at the prices. See example below.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290228833187&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123
You'll never ride without over trousers again - trust me.
Last edited:
television
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Do bikers feel more unsafe in the Summer, going to torquay today a coach overtaking a bike on a blind bend. If I had not stopped, that would have been it, same with people crossing the the white line on a bend passing a push bike.
Its was the worst driving that I have seen for ages
Its was the worst driving that I have seen for ages
Frank O' Phile
Active Member
Bikers (well IMHO) always feel unsafe. I certainly cant relax the same way i do in the car. But then adrenalin does play a part in keeping the senses alert.
My motto is to suppose all other road users to be idiots. One day you will be right.
My motto is to suppose all other road users to be idiots. One day you will be right.
mapleleaf
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2002
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- 1,719
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- Hinckley, Leicestershire
- Car
- 2022 GLC 300 estate- replaced 2018 Gle 43 AMG Night - replaced previous 2015 E63 AMG
glad to hear you are ok , sounds like you had a lucky escape
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