Well, had my first major stack last night while going to a meeting after work. you know how it is, long day at work (started at 5am). Was on my way to the meeting about 6pm, took a left turn down a hill and the front wheel went out and instantly found myself sliding on my left side, clutching the handlebars, with my left leg supporting the bike and watching the road pass me by about 2" from my face shield. Came to a stop after about 10m of slide when I connected with the centre island, still sitting astride the bike. 3 cars were behind me, they all stopped and the front guy got out and offered assistance. Slipped out from under the bike and picked myself up, quick check of body parts, all ok. Picked up the bike and wheeled it to the side of the road. I think the car guy was stunned that I was ok. He kept asking me if I was ok and did I have someone to call, did I have a phone, am I ok (numerous times). I thanked him for his genuine concern and shook his hand for stopping.
The bike didn't look to good in the dark, the mirror was waving around like a pendulum, the headlight was locked on high beam, the left handle bars seemed to sit at a funny angle and the controls were twisted around. I thought that it was not rideable, so called the misses to get her excited about the event and maybe bring the truck to pick me and the bike up. After a little chat and assuring her that I was really ok and everything was still attached and functioning (me not the bike) I suggested that I would check the bike out more would ring her back.
The bike still seeme functional, other than minor missalignment of attachments and the bike did start after I realigned the selector lever to figure out what gear I was in, I decided to press on to my meeting. Meeting over and another check, be it in the light of the bike and a little 'tweeking' of the not too aligned parts, I happly rode home. will reassess the damaged parts on the weekend and plan the repairs.
One major reason for the lack of injury was wearing a good quality leather jacket, solid high calf boots and gloves. The jacket has nice skid marks all down the left side, the left boot that was uder the bike and supported the bike had the side flap stiching ground off and had come away. All my injuries were a badly brused heel on both sides where the bike sat on my foot, a brused and swollen thigh, brused hip and shoulder. Shudder to think the damage that I could have had to my person if I was not wearing the gear.
