Blind Curve Strikes Again!

[Fenixgoon]

Since I saw the "Blind Curve" thread I thought I'd post my own experience with one.

Went out riding with a guy I met at work - he's been riding his whole life. He knows all the roads in the area.

So we go out and start hitting some *awesome* twisties that I didn't know even existed. I'm trying to keep pace, but I also don't want to find my limits (because I don't know where mine, let alone the bike's, are).

Well I hit a blind right curve. Turns out it was a decreasing radius turn, and I was coming in a little hot. In addition, since I didn't know what the curve was like, I didn't have the right entrance line. I ended up taking the curve wide for fear of low-siding and ended up crossing into the opposing lane. Had there been a car there, I would have been visiting a hospital on short notice or worse.

Be careful out there, especially on unfamiliar roads!

 

[Detrich]

Glad to hear u are ok... On blind turns I've noticed that it helps to brake early, stay wide approaching the turn, and keep your eyes peeled as far ahead as possible. I will always go slower if I can't see beyond the turn. Safety #1 always... Better slower & safe & within your limits. You can practice going faster once you've memorized the road...

 

[Superzoom]

Good for you for realizing your limitations and learning from your mistakes. Signs of a mature minded rider.

When I ride at a sporty pace, I "imagine" oncoming vehicles coming around blind curves and only go at a pace where I know I can slow down or stop quickly if there is an oncoming vehicle or obstacle. If you can't see the road ahead, and can't come to a full stop on the road you can see, you're playing russian roulette.

 

[husker525]

^^+++1
Here in Colorado, that kind of thing happens often! I ride my own pace, no matter what the pace of the other riders in my group may do. That doesn't mean that I don't have fun, but an unfamiliar road, or a roadway with sand on it, is not the place to get after it.

If I am unsure of the radius of the corner, I do exactly what Detrich does. Live to ride another day, rather than push a bad situation.

 

[dart1963]

yeah, take it easy... biggest thing right now around our area with blind curves is gravel... not just from side roads, but from farmers/individuals carrying a load and spilling around those curves... come in to hot even on a gentle blind curve and find a spilled load of gravel, and things get bad really fast, you have a split second to pick your line and get down to speed if you didn't set up for it coming into the turn.

 

[Detrich]

yes, this has happened to me on GMR! go slower esp after it's rained the week or days before.

 

[Fenixgoon]

I'm looking to go riding this weekend. Temps will be 40-50F, but I'm not gonna ride anywhere near hard since it'll be hard to get the tires warm. Just looking to enjoy some two-wheeled freedom ASAP

 

[Diluted]

Where in Maryland are you?

 

[milepig]

Since I saw the "Blind Curve" thread I thought I'd post my own experience with one.

Went out riding with a guy I met at work - he's been riding his whole life. He knows all the roads in the area.

So we go out and start hitting some *awesome* twisties that I didn't know even existed. I'm trying to keep pace, but I also don't want to find my limits (because I don't know where mine, let alone the bike's, are).

Well I hit a blind right curve. Turns out it was a decreasing radius turn, and I was coming in a little hot. In addition, since I didn't know what the curve was like, I didn't have the right entrance line. I ended up taking the curve wide for fear of low-siding and ended up crossing into the opposing lane. Had there been a car there, I would have been visiting a hospital on short notice or worse.

Be careful out there, especially on unfamiliar roads!

Basically did the same thing while on a ride in SE Ohio, only I crashed. Came into a decreasing radius turn, realized I was way to fast. I when hard on the brakes, the bike stood up, shot across the road to the other side (very thankful there were no cars) lost traction once I left the tarmac, bike when into a low slide and I when high-side over the bars. Did a nifty little flip, rolled coming up on my feet. Whacked my helmet pretty good during the flip. No injuries, no real damage to the bike. Dodge one for sure there. I took it as a wakeup call.... slow down you damn fool!

 

[Fenixgoon]

Where in Maryland are you?

prince-frederick area. about an hour south of you. next weekend is supposed to be pretty nice. let me know if you're up for a ride!

Basically did the same thing while on a ride in SE Ohio, only I crashed. Came into a decreasing radius turn, realized I was way to fast. I when hard on the brakes, the bike stood up, shot across the road to the other side (very thankful there were no cars) lost traction once I left the tarmac, bike when into a low slide and I when high-side over the bars. Did a nifty little flip, rolled coming up on my feet. Whacked my helmet pretty good during the flip. No injuries, no real damage to the bike. Dodge one for sure there. I took it as a wakeup call.... slow down you damn fool!

wow glad to hear you walked away ok! i encountered some nice twisties today, but there were sooo many driveways that any sort of spirited riding was asking for someone to back into me. still, it was cool just to hit some new roads.

 

[Diluted]

prince-frederick area. about an hour south of you. next weekend is supposed to be pretty nice. let me know if you're up for a ride!

I'll let you know, I might be busy packing since the GF and I are moving at the end of the month.

 

[milepig]

prince-frederick area. about an hour south of you. next weekend is supposed to be pretty nice. let me know if you're up for a ride!



wow glad to hear you walked away ok! i encountered some nice twisties today, but there were sooo many driveways that any sort of spirited riding was asking for someone to back into me. still, it was cool just to hit some new roads.

Yeah... hey, I didn't mean to hijack your thread, your post triggered my memory and I just posted it. I was on a road I hadn't ridden before going to fast, I kinda knew better, but just got caught off guard... I got lucky pure and simple.

 

[Rabbitman109]

I'll let you know, I might be busy packing since the GF and I are moving at the end of the month.

I am riding this weekend too most likely...

 

[Fenixgoon]

I am riding this weekend too most likely...

how far away are you from annapolis? i have no idea where chambersburg is

 

[Diluted]

Chambersburg is like an hour to an hour and a half away from Annapolis