On my way up to Reno for Street Vibrations I allowed a group of riders behind me to push me past my level of comfort. We were on Hiway 88 which is a pretty twisty road over the summit and a group of riders came up behind me pushing. Instead of ignoring them I kept looking in my rear view mirror. Well....we went into a very tight S twisty and the first half was not an issue.....however the second half I was looking in my rear view mirror instead of ahead. When I returned my gaze to the road it was already to late. And then I broke every rule that we learn in the MC safety course. I layed on the front brake as well as the rear brake instead of trying to accelerate through the turn.......well...next thing you know I am sliding to within a foot of a cliff.

The group stops to assist me. I don't bother to tell them they freaked me out. I have some minor road rash on my arm and thighs and a broken thumb but guess what folks......I rode the bike back to the dealer...80 miles in 5th gear. The shifter had stripped right off the bike. Windshield was trashed...bags were trashed.

Dealer made the bike road worthy in about 2 hours and 1000.00 dollars later I was right back on the road back to Reno. When I reached the S turn I went down on I was the 2nd driver to reach a multiple bike accident. One rider was deceased. The other had major injuries. They had entered the turn to fast and had drifted accross the center line and ran into an oncoming car. The bike that hit the car then was deflected into the other bike.

I continued on to Reno but I have had a really hard time even getting on the bike and enjoying myself. I know am freaking out about all the twisties and making it home over Hiway 80 on Sunday.

Besides the fact this 54 year old body feels like it was dragged across the road against it's will.

Be safe folks. If you don't feel comfortable at 55 then do 45 and to hell with the pissed off people behind you. They will get over it.

 

Glad to hear you are ok! Sorry about the bike.

 

+1 **** on 'em. Glad to hear your alright

 

Glad to hear you made it out ok. You hit the nail on the head when you said about not worrying about pissing off the riders behind you.

 

Glad you're upright and got back on the bike.

No matter what you'll remember this one.

A lot of these road have pull-outs, pull over and let them go by.

 

Glad your ok and ya you need to stay in your skill level.

 

BINGO!!!!!! Skill Level....as I sat on the side of the road looking at my bike and feeling my thumb swell more and more the more I got pissed off as I watched all of these people go past on baggers and softails and dynas. Why was I the one not to make this corner. Skill level. I have only been riding again for about 6 months after a 25 year hiatus. I was in an area that required a high level of expertise and I don't have it yet. i admit that. And I let others with a higher skill level push me out of my own comfort zone. So that means I need to slow the hell down and not worry what others think. If I had done that I think I would have been just fine. Now I have doubts in my abilities.... which by the way I will get through.......especially with seeing what I saw the second time through the same turn. And these looked like guys that had been riding for years.

 

I know what you mean.

I have a buddy that has been struggling a little with riding. I have to be careful when riding with him to not push him to far. He gets frustrated sometimes but I just keep telling it takes time and not to push it to far. Everyone learns at different levels and being safe is what is important.

 

glad to hear you're all right. stories like the 2nd part of yours make me think twice about spending my hard earned money on my first bike rather than another car that'll turn into a money pit...

 

Get well and enjoy Street Vibrations!! You learned what happened and that is the best that anyone can ask of you.