Pheasant on the noggin

[L3nny]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

I wouldn't worry to much about it but reflecting on it and considering what you might do differently next time is healthy enough. Most crashes involving birds (the feathered variety) are caused by the rider over reacting and going off the road as a consequence (swerving to avoid rabbits and such like is also well up there) rather than you being knocked off by the animal itself, so it's probably better to just grin and bear it so to speak. Whilst your thinking it over consider what you might have done if the car driver had swerved instead of braking...?

I think I pretty much reacted as well as I could, I tried to scrub of as much speed without hitting the brakes hard enough to cause the back to lift or the wheel to lock up and I ducked to it hit me on the top of the head rather than in the face. I didnt swerve as I knew that doing this when braking is asking for trouble.

If the car had swerved there wouldn't have been anything I could have done to avoid it. The only way I could make sure that never happens is to never overtake again, which isn't going to happen.

Originally Posted by L3nny

My main worry was that if I had of come off I would have had to live with "I told you so"

I absolutely dread it when the superior other/commanding officer/creator of all evil has the expression of 'I told you so' on her face; i can count on it being followed by a sh*t storm!

[dizzyblonde]

So you hit a pheasant, happens a lot. You rode off. Thats it, no need to analyse it. Just laugh and be grateful it didn't knock you out, and injure you severely.

Don't worry folks I shan't be mentioning the 'DEE.....'

Oh BTW did you cause carnage?

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by L3nny

If the car had swerved there wouldn't have been anything I could have done to avoid it. The only way I could make sure that never happens is to never overtake again, which isn't going to happen.

Sounds like you did everything about right so as I said, I wouldn't worry to much about it. With regard to overtaking it's just sometimes worth considering your closing speed. I't always a good move to get out onto the offside nice and early if the view allows it, but lots of riders then think it's OK to nail the overtake from back there, without considering how things might change in the few seconds it takes them to close on the subject. Just an observation, no criticism intended.

[L3nny]

Cheers Red, will bear that in mind next time

[maviczap]

At least you didn't ride into a field like a bloke at work did and he didn't even hit the damn bird

smashed his headlight & clocks in the process

I nearly got hit by a kamikaze duck last night, thankfully, it narrowly missed me! I was crapping it!

Pigeons seem to go for me, but i ride slow, and have been able to duck<(lol). I can safely say if i rode like a biker id of took 3 birds to the head by now.

Originally Posted by Milky Bar Kid

I nearly got hit by a kamikaze duck last night, thankfully, it narrowly missed me! I was crapping it!

Did it look like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWzROoxS2b4

Had a near miss with a sheep the other week, and know what you mean about over-analysing it after. Beat myself up for a few days as my first reaction (when banked over) was to touch front brake, quickly realised my folly, let off the brake and tightened the turn, but was kicking myself with 'what if it was wet?' for several days after.

However, I think I have learned from the experience, both on obs and reactions, so rather than dwelling on 'what if' I think I am better prepared for whatever comes next. You probably will have learned from your experience too. Ride safe. Go back for the pheasant next time. Well nice cooked slow with some red wine.