When I was turning around between the second and third run there were two deer on the edge of the road. I slowed way down and had no trouble from them. Then on the third run I was going through a right hander in fourth gear beween 5k and 6k dragging peg like I had all morning. The next thing I know the bike is sliding away from me and I'm on the ground. I see the bike disappear over the side of the road and I slide to a stop on the blacktop. My tankbag and saddle bags are laying on the road having been ripped off. I check my clothes. No blood. I had armored summer pants and an armored jacket along with a full face helmet, gloves, and boots on. My right leg on the pants are shreaded. The plastic panel over the knee is scraped to hell. Right side of jacket is tore up and helmet bounced off the ground. (IMG:http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn85/gpd211/IMG_0212.jpg) Hard to tell from pic but bike is about 75 feet down the side of hill. (IMG:http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn85/gpd211/IMG_0216.jpg) After about 2 hours the wrecker got there. I had to repel down on the wrecker line to hook the bike up to pull it up. (IMG:http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn85/gpd211/IMG_0217.jpg) (IMG:http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn85/gpd211/IMG_0223.jpg) this is a shot of the corner. Wish I had taken more pics but my mind really wasn't on taking pics. (IMG:http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn85/gpd211/IMG_0213.jpg) The bike is heavily damaged. Every piece of plastic is shot. The front fairing is shoved back into the handlebars. The tank bounced off a tree. If there is a lession to be learned it is PROTECTIVE CLOTHING HAS ITS PLACE. Yeah it may be hot and not as comfortable but it saved my ass. I walked away with four spots of road rash on my right calf. One on my right elbow and two on my right wrist. After getting to my sister's I got a flight back home on friday.
WOW....glad you made it out alive, with minor damage (to your physical self anyways)...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
Weird seeing the bike laid over like that in the woods.....looks like a poor, wounded animal.
Great shots otherwise...what a beautiful part of the country. I miss water and trees and scenery like that...(sometimes... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) )
Aw man, I hate it for Ya'...nice looking bike (before). I recognize all the places in your pics including "THE" curve. At least you didn't get hurt, that's the main thing................. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
Looked like a great trip up to that point! Very glad you didn't get messed up, it's very easy there depending on what or it you hit something or it hits you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) The bike looks to be an easy fix, let us know if we can help in any way as there's many members in the area. The Ins. Co. will most likely total it, but ask about keeping it and fix it yourself and pocket some money or use it on mods. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
Was enjoying the write up until the bush shot (IMG:style_emoticons/default/angry.gif) I remember that corner from my trip down there last June. Glad your ok, bike maybe not so lucky.
And you were looking so good in the Killboy shot. As I was scrolling down, I'm thinking "this dude can ride" and then the next picture is of a wounded yellow animal lying in the woods.
Got to give you credit for having the balls to post your f-ups along with your good stuff.
Changing the subject slightly: The pic of the dam in the 4th picture. Supposedly that's the dam Harrison Ford (or his stunt double) jumped off of in "The Fugitive"
To my knowledge, there have been three movies filmed on the Gap or the general area.
Wow, that bites. Good thing you didn't get hurt. I just had a flashback as I've seen a yellow 5th gen in the woods like that before - actually it was a creek, thankfully it wasn't me, although I have been down and know your pain.
Good luck healing up & let us know how things work out with your ins. company.
So sorry to hear that... I was enjoying your trip until I saw the bike all forlorn in the woods...
You are one very lucky individual and may the fact you were wearing all that gear serve a greater purpose than just saving YOUR skin. Take note guys and gals, WEAR GEAR!!
I would have taken photos as well... I tend to photodocument everything these days... well... except... ehem... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/offtopic.gif)
I'm likely in the minority opinion here, and I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but if you're in 4th gear at 6k rpm dragging pegs through those turns then you deserve what you got. In fact you got off lucky. Very lucky. I ride this road all the time and am amazed at the stuff I see. I'm all for "spirited" riding, but this road seems to bring out absolutely crazy behavior. A helmet and the best gear won't help you when you hit a tree. Anyway, I'm glad you're ok.
checksix, Aug 5 2008, 11:37 PMI'm likely in the minority opinion here, and I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but if you're in 4th gear at 6k rpm dragging pegs through those turns then you deserve what you got. In fact you got off lucky. Very lucky. I ride this road all the time and am amazed at the stuff I see. I'm all for "spirited" riding, but this road seems to bring out absolutely crazy behavior. A helmet and the best gear won't help you when you hit a tree. Anyway, I'm glad you're ok.
The truth may hurt... but if he's anything like me, he'll now be going through the being-hard-on-himself phase. At least I hope he's rethought things at least a little... although it can happen to anyone anytime... he seemed rather surprised at the fact the bike fell, but when you're really scraping as long as he claims to have been all day, you must be fairly conscious of the risk you're taking... lucky no-one else was hurt. I came off last Christmas and wasn't even pushing it. Similar damage to the bike but worse off physically. I wouldn't be so harsh on the bugger right now. Not flaming by any means, just speaking out loud.
checksix, Aug 5 2008, 05:37 PMI'm likely in the minority opinion here, and I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but if you're in 4th gear at 6k rpm dragging pegs through those turns then you deserve what you got. In fact you got off lucky. Very lucky. I ride this road all the time and am amazed at the stuff I see. I'm all for "spirited" riding, but this road seems to bring out absolutely crazy behavior. A helmet and the best gear won't help you when you hit a tree. Anyway, I'm glad you're ok.
Nah we wont flame you.............
But it sounds like some "Local" riders might have inspired him but didnt tell him everything... 1.. That isnt the best asphalt for street tires.. I think those are ST tires on his bike ?? corect?? 2...Most of the locals who run that road on a "Regular" basis run on "Race tires" And love for outsiders to try n keep up.. 3... He most likely heard them talking about running that road at 60mph, Which they do some evenings after the crowds leave..
Please pardon me if im wrong on any of these assumptions.. Some are Actual facts..
Sorry about your accident, glad to hear you're ok. I've ridden the dragon a few times myself but considering it's public road and having sooo many variables that may come into play, I've refrained from pushing so hard that bike parts are scraping the road on a (regular) basis.
While we're on the subject of the dragon and speed, and hopefully not to take too much away from your thread, what is a respectable time from the bottom to the top?
marid2apterbilt, Aug 5 2008, 06:55 PMBut it sounds like some "Local" riders might have inspired him but didnt tell him everything... 1.. That isnt the best asphalt for street tires.. I think those are ST tires on his bike ?? corect?? 2...Most of the locals who run that road on a "Regular" basis run on "Race tires" And love for outsiders to try n keep up.. 3... He most likely heard them talking about running that road at 60mph, Which they do some evenings after the crowds leave..
Those look like ST tires.
Some of the local guys there do run DOTs (a few slicks). If I am hanging out there doing strafing runs, I drop down to about 28f/20r. There is a free air compressor at the store, by the gas pumps.
"60"......if we're talking corner speeds here, then, man that's flying on that road, especially haulin' luggage, and street tires........... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Probably on my best, "WILDEST" day 50 mighta' been "touched" on a coupla' corners...most more like in the 20 to 40 MPH range tops. Short straights on "THOSE" days maybe 60, possible 70 in a coupla' spots, but that's about all the "LUCK" I want to lean on there.....and trying to refrain from "THOSE' days lately............. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
checksix, Aug 5 2008, 05:37 PMI'm likely in the minority opinion here, and I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying this, but if you're in 4th gear at 6k rpm dragging pegs through those turns then you deserve what you got. In fact you got off lucky. Very lucky. I ride this road all the time and am amazed at the stuff I see. I'm all for "spirited" riding, but this road seems to bring out absolutely crazy behavior. A helmet and the best gear won't help you when you hit a tree. Anyway, I'm glad you're ok.
I totally agree I got off easy. It was early on a Tuesday. When I got to the overlook near the North end there wasn't another bike there so that should tell you how empty the road was. I wasn't riding with anyone in fact I set next to the road for 5 or 6 minutes before a car came by. Looking back I'm VERY glad no one was coming South.
cigarbuf, Aug 5 2008, 06:16 PMSorry about your accident, glad to hear you're ok. I've ridden the dragon a few times myself but considering it's public road and having sooo many variables that may come into play, I've refrained from pushing so hard that bike parts are scraping the road on a (regular) basis.
While we're on the subject of the dragon and speed, and hopefully not to take too much away from your thread, what is a respectable time from the bottom to the top?
Record holder right now has it in 9:45 I believe. Many local riders are running around 10:30. I'm consistently running 12:00 but having a hard time getting below 12:00. Maybe I should ride more than once a month. By the time you are running in the 13-14 minute range you will probably only be passed by locals.
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 1 May 2009
