The NO JEWS Ride: 09/19/09

[maillotpois]

I love the Cheese factory!  So sorry I had to miss this ride - hope bike and rider are going to be ok.  (I always take it CRAZY slow on that corner - there are 2 similar ones there between Stinson and Pantoll - in either bicycle or moto).  I really hope I can do a ride with you all sometime soon.

[Desmostro]

+1 on all that. Gorgeous day and really good seeing you guys that I don't get to see often. 

I went back and found a grassy hill and watched an eagles teach some young ones to kite on the breeze while I organized some notes I had to get to and did a little super inspired brain storming. -bliss-  After a burger and a soft serve back at Stinson, I hit one of my favorite spots to ride in the world that we never seem to get to. Hwy 1 all the way back to Mill Valley. 


Dude, sorry it was your turn today.  That curve gets a lot good riders.

The thought occurred to me to dub that corner "GET A GRIP CORNER." I just can't believe what a perfect storm that thing is. 
A breathtaking elevation drop, 300degree hairpin, wicked bump with a 6" cliff off the back at the apex, and nothing but air for 2000 feet below on the other side of the guardrail. Add fog & gravel that you can count on, and its down right ridiculous.
New sign project  !!!

Good ride, his time of year is my favorite and it was fantastic to be able to take it all in at a pace that motos and scooters alike could enjoy.   

Thanks for coming out everyone!   

That thing get bicyclists as well - all the time. That's pretty funny they hit the bike. Glad everyone is ok though.

[Michael Moore]

I love the Cheese factory!  So sorry I had to miss this ride - hope bike and rider are going to be ok.  (I always take it CRAZY slow on that corner - there are 2 similar ones there between Stinson and Pantoll - in either bicycle or moto).  I really hope I can do a ride with you all sometime soon.

Yeah, but that first left as you come out of the trees is particularly nasty. Downhill, decreasing radius, off-camber, poor surface, gnarly-ugly guardrail and a big scenic distraction - it's got it all!

It was a nice ride despite the morning fog and mishap. After I peeled away from you guys in Tomales, I ended up going up to Bodega, then through Sebastopol and into Santa Rosa. From there I took the Calistoga road and hung a right on the St. Helena Rd/Spring Mtn. road. Wow, what a lovely way to get into the Napa Valley. Completely traffic free and, at least on the Napa side of the county line, great pavement and road.  Taylor's Refresher had a line of about 50 people (no lie) so I settled for a sando at Dean & Deluca, then grabbed the Oakville Grade road to Glen Ellen, and back the normal way from there.  A truly splendid day.  I took a little video of that St. Helena/Spring Mtn. road, which I'll post in a bit.

[DarkStaR]

That thing get bicyclists as well - all the time. That's pretty funny they hit the bike. Glad everyone is ok though.

Just to clarify for those that were not there, the monster was against the guard rail in the ditch when the bikers hit it, so they were pretty much make the beast with two backsed anyway.

In spite of the situation, and after we went to make sure the (1st) biker was not seriously hurt from flipping over the bars and landing on his head, I did have one of those WTF is going on today giggles.

As for the second biker, he went in the ditch, but managed to just barely tap the monster.

I was a bit shocked to see a few bikers without helmets out there... e.g., the second biker.

[Spidey]

That sucks.  That corner is so viscious.  I crawl through it at like 5 mph and still almost ride off the side of the mountain.  Every damn time. 

[b.]

Yep, it was my turn today.  4.5 years of pretty successful riding and I'm glad my first get off was in full gear and low speed--thank you God for only a bruised shin.

Unfortunately, my little lady did not fare so well.  I was focused on the corner exit until that bump near the apex--but excuses are just excuses and target fixation was entirely my fault.  Ya live, ya learn.

My apologies to all for make the beast with two backsin' up the chi of the ride and BIG thanks to everyone for their assistance.

I'll post up pics of the damage a little later--right now I need some alcohol. 

Oh, and 'belle, please add one to the ticker.   

[somegirl]

Sorry b , glad you are ok though, that's the important thing.

Let us know if you need help getting your bike fixed up.

[BikerGoddess]

Thanks MB for organizing the ride! I really enjoyed riding with you and Enzo for the latter part--thanks for towing me along. My riding ease and confidence really got a boost today.

I know "that corner" well, having dumped the Scarabeo there while pulling over to let--of all vehicles--a Prius pass. Linked brakes didn't help either. Gravel is the rider's Achilles Heel sometimes. Glad to know the rider is injury-free! Remember, bikes are easier to fix than busted limbs.

[b.]

The turn.



The damage.





Hopefully it's only as bad as it looks.

[BikerGoddess]

Who was your towing service? Was it Steven the Bike Guy? Where are you taking it for repairs?

[b.]

Mark from CC Tow.  It's at Munroe's right now--not my first choice, but it was the most convenient yesterday.  I'm having an estimate done in case I decide to make a claim with insurance, but either way, I want to try and do the repairs myself.

[sidm]

Belle, Thanks for organizing.

B, Glad you're well otherwise.

After looking at people drive over, around, and through that bump for a good chunk of time, I notice it almost acts like a launch pad to unsettle the bike/car and pushes people instantly wider than expected.  The decreasing radius only adds insult to injury at that point. 

[GrendelsTwin]

Sorry 'bout the get off B.  Glad that you walked away with only bruises and experience.  Guardrails can be very unforgiving to a motorcyclist, even at low speed.  Hopefully the diagnosis on you bike is only the obvious stuff, and not too expensive.

Thanks for organizin 'Belle!  Glad to see some peeps I haven't ridden with in while. We're gonna hafta do it again sooner.

On the way back to Olema I stopped in Tomales and what did I happen to see...  Desmosedici RR.  Purty.

[mostrobelle]

I had a good time--always do when riding.    Crashes always put a damper on the day though.  I'm just glad that it wasn't worse.  I know of at least two people who have bit it at that spot in the past several years.  I'm sure there are plenty more that I don't know about.  I did everything I could at the beginning of the ride to make sure that we all got through unscathed--I thought.  However, I do remember that on several rides in the past that we have made specific mention of that turn.  I didn't do it this time.  I will do it from here on out. 

I hope we all come away from this realizing how lucky we were to be going slow.  I got a report from someone in the rear that a little bunching up was happening before we got to that turn.  2 seconds is a minimum especially when the conditions are like they were yesterday.  2 seconds is a lot of space--watch the rider in front of you pass something, count one watermelon, two watermelon...that's two seconds...if you pass that same thing before "two watermelon" you're too close.  I'm as guilty of it as anyone, and it's nothing but dumb luck that has spared me up till this point.  I fell off my bike one time and I believe Michael Moore was behind me.  I was all over the road and had he been riding up my tailpipe he might have run me over and probably would have hurt himself in the process.  I was fortunate to have someone riding behind me that knew what they were doing. 

Hey B. can you tell us in detail what you think happened?  If you don't mind I'd like to do some crash analysis of your get-off so that we can take something away from this as a group that might help us to avoid this happening in the future.   This ride was devoted to the newer riders out there, so if they weren't able to come on the ride, then perhaps we can make this an educational dialogue.  With your permission I'll start another thread devoted to respectful discussion about what occurred and I'll lock this thread and redirect folks to the new one. 

[Michael Moore]

must. not. make. riding. up. belle's. tailpipe. joke...