I was taking a left turn at very low speed yesterday morning. The double yellow lines were wet with morning dew. Now the stupid begins.
I leaned my body off the bike, and when my rear tire crossed the double yellows it immediately slid out -- suddenly I was leaned way over, and the next thing I knew the bike was sliding away from me. Both myself and the bike were fine (aside from the long suffering stator cover). I picked the bike back up using a technique I read about in an Allstate advertisement -- don't tell anyone, they'll laugh at me.
For anyone that doesn't know, you first push it back onto its tires. Then turn your back to the bike with your butt inline with the seat, grab the passenger grab handles and the bars, then lift with your legs. It worked.
First off, I think leaning off the bike was a bad idea in that situation. In fact I suspect it was dumb enough that even non-haters might hate. I was taught that at 'low' speed you should lean counter to the bike -- that is, stay upright while the bike leans. I have been wondering for some time at what speed to stop leaning counter. I think I learned that the speed I was turning at yesterday was still low enough to be doing that. I was laboring under the impression that counter lean was only for parking lot speed maneuvers, but I think that's wrong now. Experienced riders please give input! On the plus side I may have gained a good insight into when to lean and in what way.
Second, I know I shouldn't have crossed the double yellows going into that turn. In case it wasn't clear, I passed the double yellows on the road I was turning into. I formally request that you don't hate me.
I leaned my body off the bike, and when my rear tire crossed the double yellows it immediately slid out -- suddenly I was leaned way over, and the next thing I knew the bike was sliding away from me. Both myself and the bike were fine (aside from the long suffering stator cover). I picked the bike back up using a technique I read about in an Allstate advertisement -- don't tell anyone, they'll laugh at me.
For anyone that doesn't know, you first push it back onto its tires. Then turn your back to the bike with your butt inline with the seat, grab the passenger grab handles and the bars, then lift with your legs. It worked.
First off, I think leaning off the bike was a bad idea in that situation. In fact I suspect it was dumb enough that even non-haters might hate. I was taught that at 'low' speed you should lean counter to the bike -- that is, stay upright while the bike leans. I have been wondering for some time at what speed to stop leaning counter. I think I learned that the speed I was turning at yesterday was still low enough to be doing that. I was laboring under the impression that counter lean was only for parking lot speed maneuvers, but I think that's wrong now. Experienced riders please give input! On the plus side I may have gained a good insight into when to lean and in what way.
Second, I know I shouldn't have crossed the double yellows going into that turn. In case it wasn't clear, I passed the double yellows on the road I was turning into. I formally request that you don't hate me.