The Ace Of Spades Baltics Tour 2016

Rode a few miles with Leon this morning. [image: IMG_1196.JPG]

Enjoyed the German Autobahn. For a brief period we did more than 200 kph Legally. :biggrin:

[image: IMAG4439.jpg]

[image: IMAG4440.jpg]

Looking good Leon; sorry to hear about the job, but nice to see you aren't too troubled by it. Nice pictures  :wink:

Missed this.

Bad news about the job m8 but hopefully you'll return from your sojourn revitalised & ready to move on.

Ride safe!   :beer:

[image: IMAG4442_1.jpg]

FOOD PIC!!!!!!

[image: 1470121789188-155471482.jpg]

18 hours ago, Dutchy

[image: IMAG4442_1.jpg]

Did he give you a go?

[image: IMAG4460.jpg]

2 hours ago, Dutchy

[image: IMAG4460.jpg]

Location? Middelfart?

Yep

Fart or snog?? :-)

[image: IMAG4462.jpg]

"the Bridge"

[image: IMAG4471.jpg]

[image: IMAG4468.jpg]

7 hours ago, Dutchy

"the Bridge"

[image: IMAG4471.jpg]

Deja vu

[image: gallery_880_2173_680149.jpg]

Danish hotdogs  :beer:

Ok, I did not plan for Norway, but what the hey!!!

Let's go see Ed....

[image: IMAG4487.jpg]

[image: IMAG4488.jpg]

500km day today, so I spoil myself..

:-)

[image: IMAG4493.jpg]

Yes, there was some rain as well, but that is part of the game..

[image: IMAG4497.jpg]

Dutch calvados in Norway!

[image: IMAG4503.jpg]

Great you decided to do a bit Norway!

Oh no you have turned the map upside down ? You should have turned right earlyer ?

anyway glad to se a progress towards Finland 

And Lisbeth sends her love saying Dutch Calvados is good in Denmark too and remember to eat lots of blueberrys and take care of the "Bat's"

[image: image.jpeg]

Wahey!!!!

[image: IMAG4517.jpg]

Just outside Kongsvinger, Norway. I had already been riding through 2 hours of downpour but who cares?!

[image: IMG-20160805-WA0005.jpeg]

So 100k day!!!

Yes, I just gave her chain a good clean and topped up the Scottoiler.

Tyres are good to go so no need for new shoes.

Keep it up boy.  I envy you on this wonderful adventure.

Echt mooi plaatjes !

Ok, Norway was a detour. Back to the "scheduled" (there is not one really...)

[image: IMAG4528.jpg]

[image: IMAG4529.jpg]

[image: IMAG4532.jpg]

[image: IMAG4533.jpg]

[image: IMAG4536.jpg]

8 hours rain today. 1 hour dry.

Wet again :-)

[image: IMAG4540.jpg]

Great pics! I rode south one hour today and had one minute of rain but I was soaked anyway.  Too hot to ride.

Helweg Denmark, 4-8-2016 at 9:52 PM

Oh no you have turned the map upside down ? You should have turned right earlyer ?

anyway glad to se a progress towards Finland 

And Lisbeth sends her love saying Dutch Calvados is good in Denmark too and remember to eat lots of blueberrys and take care of the "Bat's"

[image: image.jpeg]

I offered Leon 2 bottles but he was afraid the weight was to much. So one bottle is empty soon.

Hopefully you have made it to the ferry! See you tomorrow! I only have one problem, "black" or white.....

White !!!

RED!!!!

[image: IMAG4549.jpg]

I'm think I will ride black today, white to the Joy Dunlop memorial stone in Tallinn. But yes, red if I had a red one!

Dutchy has arrived to Finland!

[image: WP_20160807_08_24_30_Pro.jpg]

And I did take the "black" bike, should not, speedo cable snapped....

[image: IMAG4579.jpg]

[image: IMAG4580.jpg]

[image: IMAG4581.jpg]

Seafood...

[image: IMAG4594.jpg]

From home to Stockholm is about 1,600km as Keny can attest.

One can also do "a little detour"....

[image: IMAG4545.jpg]

:-)

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of having a visit from Dutchy before he was leaving with the ferry from Stockholm.

Good luck on the tour and for the future job!

Cheers :beer:

Andreas

[image: IMG_4841.jpg]

It was nice to meet you Andreas, your family AND the swedish NR!  :-)

Keny met me in Salo and really made me sweat that day. 370km blasting around places like "the King's Road" and the local version of the "green hell". Very fast twisty public road with blind crests (to be taken at speed) and rising and falling. Nurburgring Finnish Style. Lovely. But here you have oncoming traffic...

And once at his family home, we got to sweat some more....

:-)

[image: IMG-20160807-WA0043.jpg]

His eldest son kept on pouring the water on the wood-fired stove, checking if I could hack it....  :-)

damn. i have to hit the garage tonight to get bike done by the end of week

Half naked men is not what we expect from you Leon!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, if by popular demand AND a "we will not ban you if you do" commitment from HS and/or the mod team, we will be happy to.... :-)

Yeah, it was about time and surely not gonna last another 3k....

[image: IMAG4603.jpg]

So off we went to

[image: IMAG4613.jpg]

For some tyres, in stock they had Metzeler Z6's and they will do me just fine

[image: IMAG4617.jpg]

[image: IMAG4648_1.jpg]

I remember the feeling ( even it's a long time ago )

like having a new bike, when putting new skoes on ?

So you have to testride the new tires to feel how good they are, right.

Before the start.

[image: large.IMG_9538.JPG.3efd939e80d194df41add]

At the shore

[image: large.IMG_9563.JPG.895ae65bfdf15d2b76afc]

Later the sun arrived

[image: large.IMG_9567.JPG.57c041dcc342ab81726d1]

[image: large.IMG_9577.JPG.bc7945fd3134df3ee15df]

[image: large.IMG_9580.JPG.78982240a47ed11597fd2]

[image: large.IMG_9587.JPG.961ca148f80ec201f8dd6]

Ok, it was only a short spin to the shore, piloin on Dutchy to get bikes down there and have 3 generations of VFR´s in one pic whit a nice views behind.

And Bert, thanks for the taster!

Off with Kenny and his son to Tallinn to the Joey Dunlop stone to pay our respect to yer maun.

Made it fine to the port, did rain though..

[image: IMAG4661.jpg]

[image: IMG-20160810-WA0002.jpeg]

[image: IMAG4676.jpg]

[image: IMAG4675.jpg]

[image: IMAG4678.jpg]

Hi Kenny, 

It looks like our sauna picture has scared off any followers we had to this thread.... :-(

1 hour ago, Dutchy

Hi Kenny, 

It looks like our sauna picture has scared off any followers we had to this thread.... :-(

That's to bad....

2 hours ago, Dutchy

It looks like our sauna picture has scared off any followers we had to this thread.... :-(

I was temporarily blinded, but my sight is returning now ...  :laugh:

I just started reading this thread last night.  Sorry to hear about the work situation Dutchy, but I'm sure with your attitude you'll find something new soon.  And your response to the situation: Do a long tour, is perfect.  Hit the road, bond with the bike, clear the mind, visit friends, and see how others live to get some perspective.  I always enjoy your ride posts--keep the photos coming.  :beer: :fing02:

2 hours ago, Dutchy

Hi Kenny, 

It looks like our sauna picture has scared off any followers we had to this thread.... :-(

Maybe its the light ;-)

Some more pics of the Joey Dunlop memorial stone visit, even first is the farewell pic whit Tallinn city in distance.

[image: large.IMG_9648.JPG][image: large.IMG_9645.JPG][image: large.IMG_9644.JPG][image: large.IMG_9634.JPG][image: large.IMG_9632.JPG][image: large.IMG_9625.JPG][image: large.IMG_9624.JPG][image: large.IMG_9623.JPG]

[image: large.IMG_9627.JPG]

13 hours ago, Dutchy

Made it fine to the port, did rain though..

[image: IMAG4661.jpg]

[image: IMG-20160810-WA0002.jpeg]

A few pics from the way.

[image: large.IMG_9622.JPG][image: large.IMG_9618.JPG][image: large.IMG_9621.JPG][image: large.IMG_9622.JPG]

You don't see these often.....

[image: IMAG4683.jpg]

Pitched the tent, despite the rain

[image: IMAG4685.jpg]

[image: IMAG4690.jpg]

Off to light the woodburning sauna stove now :-)

[image: IMAG4697.jpg]

Saare lighthouse

[image: IMAG4696.jpg]

[image: IMAG4699.jpg]

Great pics and views. How is traffic, less dense compared to home? :cool:

iļl figure out where to take you in a while... not to far tho :) work tomorrow

Traffic has been light mostly, often deserted. Allowing to really let her rip!

Glad to see EU money well spent!

Sing it with me... "it's a small world, after all"

I told the same when i saw your clutch cover and connected the dots

Leon left for further trip

[image: WP_20160812_13_07_47_Pro_zpspvf4i6nu.jpg]

did my best to make your stay better. thought you will come in only today. would give you some company on road :) was nice meeting you tho

PS: not sure if he's flipping me off or just being friendly with his hand gesture :D

8 hours ago, rexsaugerty

PS: not sure if he's flipping me off or just being friendly with his hand gesture :D

Only if he were British...

Ciao,

No, I showed you the other meaning.....

In case anyone wonders how many Riga policemen it takes to give me a ticket for ignoring a "do not enter" sign (plate of tomato soup with a streak of creme fraiche)...........   TEN!!!!

I was told the fine would be 30 euros, by the 1st 2 park police, ok no problem I will pay.  The 4 municipal policemen arriving at the scene subsequently changed the fine to Euro 55 while 2 more policemen stood by and watched. And when the 2 -pissed off looking "WTF do we have to attend to this"- motorcycle cops took over it was 40 euro....

Am now in Daugavpils, close to the Belo-Russian border.

Will post pics as soon as I have left this country.... :-)

Saturday

Laundry day

The laundrette was shut so here we go....

[image: IMAG4872.jpg]

Leaving Latvia in the morning, destination Nida, Lithuainia.

Today I faced my fear, gravel

[image: IMAG4876.jpg]

Complemented with

[image: IMAG4881.jpg]

To get me here

[image: IMAG4896.jpg]

[image: IMAG4894.jpg]

As long as gravel is hard pack and don't have a layer of loose stones they are ok'ish I think. Keep the sunny side up!!!

Ok, posting for Dutchy as he has a slow internet connection in Lithuania.

He has a nice almost new and CHEAP hotel! and as he (the Ace of Spades tour man) was walking back to the hotel in a park, a hard rock band was playing this:

What a coincidence!

Cheers Kenny,

For some reason, whatsapp was fast, upload to vfrd not.

Am in Latvia now, Lithuania tomorrow :-)

5 minutes ago, Dutchy

Cheers Kenny,

For some reason, whatsapp was fast, upload to vfrd not.

Am in Latvia now, Lithuania tomorrow :-)

ok, my misunderstanding on location...

And the video I posted for Dutchy, its what he did see and recorded, did send me by Whatsapp and I downloaded on my YouTube account to get it easier showed for all you here on vfrd!

coincidence  or not I feel a shiver by listening to it

must be on of the biggest surprises on the tour

Lemmy approves.

[image: IMAG4963.jpg]

Made it to the border

Trip over, broken wrist.

Am ok 100% for the rest.

Oncoming cager failed to stop, give right of way and proceeded with the left turn in front of me..

Woke up being put in ambulance.

Xray, mri, echo all good, except a dislocated and broken left wrist.

Status and location redslut unknown at this point

This sucks Dutchy. Will you be able to ride if Redslut in conditions to be ridden? Or wrist big packed ?

edit: I now know you trip on the redslut ends here, but good thing it could be worse!

Wow! Sorry to hear Dutchy. Hope you heal quickly! 

ATGATT BABY!!!!

[image: IMAG4982.jpg]

Insurance covers medical bills and repatriation home. They will come back to me once the hospital gives the "fit to fly" The lady will also have AAA find out redslut status. (there are 3 bottles of whisky in her topcase..  :-)

I am fungry as I skipped lunch for obvious reasons    :goofy: ....

That sucks man

Sad to hear it's the end of tour

like keny says "It could have gone worse"

Lisbeth , our kids and myself sends best wishes for quick recovery

Sorry to hear that Dutchy, get well and hope the VFR is not badly damaged.

The driver phoned me to apologise.

Both him and I need to go to the police procurator on tuesday 9am in the city of Rokiskis near the accident, 80km from here/the hospital.

That is where my bike is too.

4 minutes ago, Dutchy

The driver phoned me to apologise.

Both him and I need to go to the police prcurator on tuesday 9am in the city near the accident, 80km from here/the hospital.

That is where my bike is too.

So RedSlut is located, at that Police station?

Dutchy, Glad you are "OK" (relatively). Hope it all works out. 

Yes I am still alive (Pearl Jam) and nothing else matters (Metallica)

Bike is 80 km away aparently wrecked (will see tomorrow)

The Lithuanian family (3 kids on the back seat) is living in the UK, hence ok/good english. They are apologising for causing the accident. Lets see what they declare on Tuesday.....

See what's next? A RC51?? :-)

So your not seen the RedSlut and think of dumping her already?

From what the lady  from the insurance emergency response team described, it is toast...

Cheers!!

Alcohol does not solve problems...

(but neither does milk ot water)

[image: 1471197514844-1886862339.jpg]

The hospital breathalised me, as did the police.  0.0..... As per normal when I ride.

Ah, crap.  Very sorry to hear about the premature end to your 2016 tour, Leon.  But I see that you're already doing physical therapy, so you should be back to full fitness in no time!

It may not be your choice to repatriate redslut (the insurance sometimes limits this), but you've got to get your farkles back somehow (and the whisky!)

Ciao,

Cheers guys!!!

Bummer, hope it all gets sorted asap & you get back on the road soon.

3 hours ago, Dutchy

IiFrom what the lady described, it is toast...

Cheers!!

Alcohol does not solve problems...

(but neither does milk ot water)

[image: 1471197514844-1886862339.jpg]

The hospital breathalised me, as did the police.  0.0..... As per normal when I ride.

Sometimes for inexperienced eyes a bike looks wrecked, while it is repairable. Might be a good therapy. 

Do not drink to much alcohol, this slows the Healing proces of youre wrist. 

Hopefully the whisky bottles are nog broken. That would complete the disaster.

Leon,

I hope all  comes out in your Favor! At least it is an adventure!!! Good luck you are in my thoughts!!

Gary

Sorry to read of the end of the Ace of Spades Tour Leon.  Hope that you heal up quickly and resolve the insurance business without too much financial pain.

We are eagerly awaiting pics of the Red Slut as she is almost family to those of us on the forum.

Wow, very sad news Leon. :mellow:

So glad to see your mug and that you are doing your therapy.  I hope the bastards have not harmed Redslut while she is out of your care.  

Oh no :(

Glad you are mostly ok Leon

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Sorry to hear Leon. I hope that you are mostly ok physically--wrist does not hurt too much? Are you allowed to drink while on pain killers? Is the head ok, considering you were unconscious for a bit??  Crap! That sure is bad news. 

You blew 0% on alcohol, that seems like a pretty slam dunk from an insurance point of view.... I hope it goes smoothly. 

On the bright side, good thing you do not have to go to work on Monday or anything... 

I'd say don't hesitate to call if I can help, but.... I'm a tad far...  but all the same, I can give you reading lists for the next little while. How do you feel about the history of the French language?? Historical phonetics??? 

Cheers man! Keep the spirits up!! (yes, pun intended... even a bad one like this one) 

C 

No workie monday, read opening post :--)

Yeah, oncoming traffic turning left is a biatch.

Tomorrow 9am I must come 80km away to the police for statements, so will make my way there today. Insursnce emergency desk is assisting me.

Slept remarkeably well!!

Just read this Leon....bummer, but the most important thing is you are ok.

Hope you get home soon and the insurance sorts out the details.

I'm sure you'll keep us posted. Best wishes m8.

Heal up quick Leon; all the best.  Pics of Redslut when possible!

I fear pics of redslut will earn me a ban on vfrd since no crash pictutes are allowed here..

But no Dutchy thread will be complete w/o a windmill eh?

[image: aaa.thumb.jpg.f5c64ac0394878a2fef6d654b35abc98.jpg]

Hi Leon,

I´m very sorry to hear about your accident! :-(

Sad ending of a great tour.

Fortunately you seem to be OK.

If your bike is not all twisted up....remember I have half a VFR in my garage!

Forks, upper/lower triples, handlebars, grips, all fairings with all brackets, fuel tank and rear subframe. (Colour is black though)

Special price for you my friend! :wink:

I saw soms pics of redslut on the Dutch vfr Forum. May she rest in peace :wacko:

Pretty sure it was just the human damage that wasn't welcome... I must say I'm curious to know the fate of this famous mule...

Dutchy, 8/14/2016 at 6:47 AM

Trip over, broken wrist....

No! What a bummer ending to a great adventure (with great photos). ATGATT! I'm glad you are (mostly) okay and hope the insurance stuff sorts out reasonably well for you.

Dutchy, 8/14/2016 at 8:43 AM

The driver phoned me to apologise.

That is a classy move that people mostly don't do here in the states where everyone's desperate fear of losing the lawsuit lottery has chased some forms of basic decency to the brink of extinction.

16 hours ago, Dutchy

I fear pics of redslut will earn me a ban on vfrd since no crash pictutes are allowed here..

Wait... does VFRD have such a policy? I had no idea. I'm sure I remember seeing member accident photos previously, such as:

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/topic/82390-wrecked

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/topic/82820-bit-by-the-dragon

In any case, best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. And thank you for the great photo-journalism -- bummer ending and all.

Well, the crux is a "Sir Terry" (not to be confused with a Prince Albert by the way)

Frame broke off completely (both left and right)

[image: IMAG5011.thumb.jpg.c98a308b3798ec0e6786267294ffeb2a.jpg]

[image: IMAG5018.jpg]

[image: IMAG5005.jpg]

Ouch! That's gonna leave a mark. So glad you came out in much better shape Dutchy!

You are a very lucky man Leon!  It appears that RedSlut sacrificed herself for you.  RIP

Okay, Dutchy, you've already acclimated us to bad news, so let's just skip ahead to the end and be done with it: What happened to the three bottles of whisky you had in the top case?

 A few more pics as the driver picked me up in the town where the hospital is located (80km away) to the smaller town where we need to report in under 2 hours.

I came from here (from where the truck is)

[image: IMAG4999.jpg]

(Redslut robble swiped aside....)

They came from here, turning left, not having spotted me.

[image: IMAG4996.jpg]

I hit the rear axle of the car, myself falling forward to the door (see the dent)

I am very happy, not to mention lucky that redslut didnot hit the passenger door. For their 3 small kids were sitting there.. 

[image: IMAG5000.jpg]

He had to bend the fender make the car mobile.

So sorry to hear about this and it was going so well :-(. I'm so glad to see that you're OK though, get well soon.

Just read this thread. Was enjoying it immensely (not as much as you), until now (not as much as you either).

Bummer, major bummer. Yet as always your resilience and "sunny side up" attitude shine through.

Glad to see you're OK, nothing that won't heal.

Next time you want to cut a motorcycle trip short and return via airplane because you miss wifey don't resort to such drastic tactics and cough up the money!!

Job? Open a sauna with a window in the red light district in Amsterdam.

Best of luck in getting her(or at least the parts you really care about) back home with you!

Sorry about Redslut. But Cougar will be ready at home waiting for you when you are all healed up.

Yes, what happened to the whiskey? 

Good luck with the insurance company and such. 

Cheers!

Well, I left the clutchcover and 8 spoker on the bike as the salvage company owner started to talk rubbish...

So I left town after sorting out the police business (no problem, the made a clear report and I have a copy. The translator was great too) and initiating claim procedures.

Am now at the airport hotel for a 07:35am flight home.

Life's a journey, not a destination.

-Aerosmith

Any plans to buy her back from the insurance company and salvage what you can?

It's what I did with my 5th Gen, though she wasn't as badly damaged as Redslut.

The

Laphroiag quarter cask

Hakushu distillers choice and

Highland Park 18yr

Are all ok!!!!!

Hey Dutchy, 

So the car driver was coming in the opposite direct to you & turned across your path, is that correct ? 

Which would explain how you ended up hitting the right rear quarter of the car. 

Can I ask do/were you riding with headlights on ?

Just now, Dutchy

The

Laphroiag quarter cask

Hakushu distillers choice and

Highland Park 18yr

Are all ok!!!!!

Result!   :beer:

1 minute ago, Dutchy

The

Laphroiag quarter cask

Hakushu distillers choice and

Highland Park 18yr

Are all ok!!!!!

sounds to me like you still are ahead...

Safe journey home Leon. 

C

I wearing my dayglo orange helmet, dayglo yellow raonsuit (it had dried up) 

[image: IMAG4972.jpg]

Double headlights and LED dlrl's....

[image: IMAG0039.jpg]

He simply did not look or was distracted

Exerpt (names removed) from official police investigation

[image: IMAG5049_1.jpg]

Sure was easy to see you in the mirrors even in bright daylight! And even the RC24:s when moving my head slightly sideways :)

the distraction, phone, kids, radio? Only driver knows.

Airport hotel

Gin Tonic

Smoked pork

Life ain't a bad place to be :-)

[image: IMAG5079.jpg]

1 hour ago, keny

Sure was easy to see you in the mirrors even in bright daylight! And even the RC24:s when moving my head slightly sideways :)

the distraction, phone, kids, radio? Only driver knows.

Sometimes, when you are not looking for something (expecting), you cannot see it. 

C

Leon: I am really sorry that this happened to you and your fine bike. All the usual platitudes, of course.

But I have a better explanation for the cause of the accident!

Clearly the driver forgot to: Pass the Dutchy...

23 minutes ago, Polarbear

Someties, when you are not looking for something (expecting), you cannot see it. 

Exactly this.

I haven't looked at motorcycle accident statistics recently, but my recollection is that most accidents are single-vehicle events -- usually a failure to successfully negotiate a turn due to: road hazards, excessive speed, insufficient rider competency, or possibly some level of intoxication. Next in frequency are the two vehicle accidents, and of those the overwhelming majority are of the left-turn/failure-to-yield variety exactly like this one. If, as a motorcyclist, you are going to be in an accident through no fault of your own, this type of accident is the most probable scenario. Almost without exception, the non-yielding driver will state that they simply "never saw" the motorcycle. This dynamic is so consistent through time that Cogswell and Skids were posting variations of this cliche to newrider's "Riding Quotes" thread almost concurrently with Dutchy's initial accident report:

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/topic/84263-riding-quotes/&page=2#comment-1044746

Obviously I have no idea what actually happened in Dutchy's case specifically, but in general my personal theory regarding this class of sensory failure is that the driver's eyes "see" the motorcycle, but his mind doesn't. That is, he points his eyes in the correct direction (upstream traffic), and the light emanating from the motorcycle successfully passes through his pupils and strikes his retinas, but his mind doesn't push the information into his awareness. Why? Because the mind is an imperfect pattern-matching organ that is scanning for "traffic" in a way that is implemented as scanning for "car-like shapes of a certain size and speed" and things that don't fit the "car-like shapes of a certain size and speed" pattern are sometimes completely filtered from awareness -- especially so for a low-intensity, habit-based reflex that is given a brief second of attention before a driver executes (what he anticipates to be) a routine turn just like the thousands that preceded it.

There is a famous video that powerfully illustrates this type of selective attention failure: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY

...that I won't describe further in case you wish to (possibly) experience it first hand. Can you successfully count the number of passes? I have been in group demonstrations where the attention failures are profound and mind-blowing.

Anyway, if you buy this analysis, then the best practices are probably to have good headlights and road-contrasty gear (both of which Dutchy had), plus ride like you are invisible, plus hope for decent luck -- because even the most cautious and prepared rider can't push his risk down to zero. Of course we all know this. I think a shared respect for the genuine risks of the sport is a part of what binds us as a community.
 

Good to hear you're on your way out of Lithuania and going home ( with a small collection of whiskey )

even it was the worst ending of the tour, I still hope you think it was worth it

I enjoyed your company on the first part that was fun

thanks for sharing !

how about that wrist how long to get bandage off ?

have a safe flight home tomorrow

Dutchy Airport hotel

Gin Tonic

Smoked pork

 

Life ain't a bad place to be :-)

 

 

[image: IMAG5079.jpg]

RobF, that second paragraph about brain verses eye perception corrolates nicely with my own knowledge of accidents. I have sworn that if it ever hapens again & I'm fit & able when the driver says "sorry mate I didn't see you" or SMIDSY in the UK then I'm going to beat them to death !!!!!!

Sometimes I ask people when talking about driving/riding & accidents or near misses, "what do you look for" & almost always regardless of car or bike driver, they say CARS ! sometimes they say other road users. But I try to get them to think or look for MOVEMENT. Stationary objects DON'T cause crashes & yes a stationary vehicle of person may move & cause an accident, but then they are moving !  Staionary things are potential hazards, but moving things have kinetic energy & can hurt you !  if you attune your sences to look for movement, then you WILL see pedestrians, cyclists & all other road users very easily.

Works for me, unfortunately does not help when you have right of way & the other person, like in Dutchy's case does NOT see you :(

6 minutes ago, Dutchy

I only post my ugly mug so you all can feel beautiful....  :unsure:

Thanks for that!!! Let us know what you think of the RC, and you have been on a bike with wave rotors before, although it was only running on 3 of the 4 cylinders at the time.....How did the little jaunt around the car park go?

Man.... I missed that feeling.....

Dutchy, 14-8-2016 at 3:47 PM

Trip over, broken wrist.

Am ok 100% for the rest.

Cager failed to stop, give right of way.

Woke up being put in ambulence.

Xray, mri, echo all good, cept dislocated and broken left wrist.

Status and location redslut unknown atthis point

One year on....... 

Glad to be alive and kicking,

up and running (my VF500F2 and my SP2  :goofy: )

You win some, you lose some, it's all the same to me!

Well, actually winning is a lot better.

2 of redslut's parts was transplanted to my new ride....

a Signal Dynamics LED volt meter and........

[image: IMAG8066.jpg]

the queen is dead, long live the queen!!!

Hey, don;t forget that Redslut lives on in other VFR's as well, she generously "donated" some of her parts to others, and I am thankful for the "donation"!

Holy cow Dutchy! When did you get the RC-51?! That thing is gorgeous!

Hi Marriedman,

While I was being transported to the hospital 80km up the road, I had plenty time to think about the universe,

life,

why are we here

but most of all "which bike will I buy next if redslut is totalled?"  

(I had no recollection of the crash or the aftermath...)

Pretty much knew that when all checked out/would be alright, an SP2 would be it   :goofy:

Was planning to buy one come spring, but we all know what Robert Burns had to say about best laid plans eh?

so when I came across her in December, I pounced.

Today decided to "make a day" of it, to celebrate the simple fact of "being" :tongue:

Ship Ahoy!!!!

[image: H.thumb.jpg.0e7fd078c77961d442593bae78fcfcbc.jpg]

Could have been on my way to the UK now.....  could have....

[image: H1.thumb.jpg.9ca537f4021a154bd0cac25ca5a6de48.jpg]

Is this our future?  

"the horror, the horror......"

[image: elec3.thumb.jpg.f36e8ffb2aac5ba4738b906a06014985.jpg]

[image: elec2.thumb.jpg.485d36baf0bc13ee38a1ffca76fc4b5e.jpg]

sheeet, I prefer eating glass first before I go "electric"Mr Numan!

Speaking of eating...

[image: H6.thumb.jpg.13f58094b5b3966ed3404a524bbde2b9.jpg]

and now for "the money shot...."  :comp13:

[image: h4.thumb.jpg.2199fe49cd77f2c49ed0d3fd927fdbd2.jpg]

That bike is utterly stunning! You've always had my admiration, now you have my envy as well!

Thank you, you are too kind!

And you still get to ride her (and/or the VF) should you ever land on this side of the pond.

Dutchy! I haven't stuck my head in much the past year and this is what I missed? Good to see you are in 1+ pieces and healing, so sorry about redslut! The SP2 is a nice looking bike, enjoy it safely!!