Off

Came off today on the Dukes pass. Gutted and very sore.

I was following a car along the section up to the lochside cafe heading towards Calendar. I had a good distance and was taking it fairly easy (35/40ish).Was heading downhill and just as the car had passed a layby on the right he hit the anchors hard and swerved right as if to swing the car on to the other side of the road but he came to an abrupt halt in front of me. I never saw any lights, indicators etc...just the car's rear end bucking up. I braked and was under control but the road surface broke up beneath me and it was like riding on marbles. The front end went and I went with it smacking my head on the road and knocking me out. All i can remember after that is a guy above me apologising for his lights not working and some other people offering to get me an ambulance.

My braking distance was fine as the bike stopped short of the car after it slid. The police said I did well to control the bike as well as I did - (a consolation) and were happy I had plenty distance between me and the car. They said I was not at fault. We checked and photographed the road and could see where the road had crumbled causing the front to wash out.

Police checked the guys lights and they weren't working! What makes me mad is that he knew they weren't but still went out driving on a jolly.

As for me...I'm pretty bashed up but I'm here to tell the tale and that's more important. The bike landed on my left leg and my left elbow and dragged me with it for a few yards. My elbow is the size of a balloon right now. My right thumb is staved, I've bruised the right side of my head and left ear, got some whiplash and a bit of concussion so I can only imagine I hit the road pretty hard.

My bike - it makes me want to cry thinking about it. Front farings smashed, double bubble smashed, indicators, engine cover scraped and left faring lowers goosed. The mushroom on the left side broke off which ****es me off. The gear peg is broken. My leather lowers have a huge hole where my leg was dragged against the road when it was trapped under the bike. As for my helmet...it did its job but its knackered.

I'm just back so I wanted to get this down. Please be VERY VERY careful on the pass guys. The police told me that there have been a spate of car and bike accidents recently due to these crazy spray & chip repairs.

Sorry to hear about your off mate....Hope you feel better soon.

It really p*sses me off when I hear about this sort of mentality in car drivers or any road users for that matter....brake lights are a must and to be driving or riding without them is selfish and irresponsible.

As for the condition of the road it is happening everywhere they are just spraying tar and then chucking down a ton of chips.

****. Hope you heal fast and the bike gets fixed.

I hope the police are going to do the guy for having an unroadworthy vehicle.

[TSM]

This is one time where rear ending someone (you did not) is not your fault, lets see what the insurance do to try and get out of that one.

At least you are ok.

was it the newer of your bikes stuarty??post some pics up and we'll get a btr picture/idea .but anyway glad your (relativly)ok

Sorry to hear that mate.

But cheer us up Stuarty, tell us the police are f*cking that driver.

Sorry to hear that mate. You should consider yourself lucky! It could have been much worse.

NAsty! But you are ok, phew.

[Blue Flame]

Ahh sorry to hear of your off.

[peterco]

OMG.....Stuarty,very nasty indeed and at least your in one piece.
Have you been to A&E for a check out,the way you say your elbow is swollen,I would hate it if there is the slightest hint of a fracture.It not to A&E then to your GP.
I was over there yesterday,this loch side cafe,is it the new one with the boat hire on Loch achray ?
In my opinion the whole road over dukes pass need to be redone and not just patches here and there.

pete