What some people will go through to get to work....
This afternoon Marcus & I made the front page (?) of the Southern Daily Echo.
Due to the monsoon levels rains the road to my office was flooded & had been closed to all traffic. However, the Officer at the block said I was welcome to give it a go as, if all else failed, I would be able to get of & push whilst paddling. As it happened Marcus gave a sterling performance - although I had a nasty moment when the engine cut out half way across, but was able to get it started immediately. What was not apparent until actually in the water was that there was also quite a strong current.
A few days ago I went through the same area when it was flooded, so I knew the part it was going to be deepest, which is why I was on the opposite side of the road. I want up on the verge, where is was shallower, but naturally very muddy.
All through this there was someone filming this on their mobile phone, standing next to the copper who was creased up laughing & applauded me as I emerged.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/1417903 ... Hampshire/
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
FourPart;1491153 wrote: What some people will go through to get to work....
This afternoon Marcus & I made the front page (?) of the Southern Daily Echo.
Due to the monsoon levels rains the road to my office was flooded & had been closed to all traffic. However, the Officer at the block said I was welcome to give it a go as, if all else failed, I would be able to get of & push whilst paddling. As it happened Marcus gave a sterling performance - although I had a nasty moment when the engine cut out half way across, but was able to get it started immediately. What was not apparent until actually in the water was that there was also quite a strong current.
A few days ago I went through the same area when it was flooded, so I knew the part it was going to be deepest, which is why I was on the opposite side of the road. I want up on the verge, where is was shallower, but naturally very muddy.
All through this there was someone filming this on their mobile phone, standing next to the copper who was creased up laughing & applauded me as I emerged.
UPDATE AND PICTURES: Flash floods cause chaos across Hampshire (From Daily Echo)
Fame at last
Seriously though, a good bit of riding under the circumstances.
This afternoon Marcus & I made the front page (?) of the Southern Daily Echo.
Due to the monsoon levels rains the road to my office was flooded & had been closed to all traffic. However, the Officer at the block said I was welcome to give it a go as, if all else failed, I would be able to get of & push whilst paddling. As it happened Marcus gave a sterling performance - although I had a nasty moment when the engine cut out half way across, but was able to get it started immediately. What was not apparent until actually in the water was that there was also quite a strong current.
A few days ago I went through the same area when it was flooded, so I knew the part it was going to be deepest, which is why I was on the opposite side of the road. I want up on the verge, where is was shallower, but naturally very muddy.
All through this there was someone filming this on their mobile phone, standing next to the copper who was creased up laughing & applauded me as I emerged.
UPDATE AND PICTURES: Flash floods cause chaos across Hampshire (From Daily Echo)
Fame at last
Seriously though, a good bit of riding under the circumstances.
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
Thanks. You can see the point where the underwater current hit me.
In the comments, though, one said "Well done", another referred to "liquid traffic calming" for "tearaways" (although I reckon that was meant tongue in cheek), and at the end one referred to me as being a "tw@t" with L Plates. I replied by pointing out that, as can be seen in the video, it was under Police supervision & approval. Furthermore, hopefully this time next week the L Plates will be off (Re-test next Monday).
Addenda:
This is the Googlemaps Streetview of that section of road under normal conditions.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.95983 ... 6656?hl=en
In the comments, though, one said "Well done", another referred to "liquid traffic calming" for "tearaways" (although I reckon that was meant tongue in cheek), and at the end one referred to me as being a "tw@t" with L Plates. I replied by pointing out that, as can be seen in the video, it was under Police supervision & approval. Furthermore, hopefully this time next week the L Plates will be off (Re-test next Monday).
Addenda:
This is the Googlemaps Streetview of that section of road under normal conditions.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.95983 ... 6656?hl=en
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
You're a natural stuntman.
"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
Most impressive young Jedi! Nice bike too! But seriously, we have a saying in New Mexico:
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
Tonight wasn't so good, though. I'd just been out on an emergency shout, and on the way back to the office a car pulled out in front of me, from the left at a mini roundabout. I slammed on the brakes, but on a smooth road, in pouring rain, on an oily road, possibly not the best thing to do (although if I hadn't done so I would certainly have gone straight into him). Needless to say the outcome was all too obvious. I went flying, with Marcus on top of me & came to rest with my left foot trapped underneath. The car that had caused the accident just sped off, although the driver of the car behind me had the courtesy to stop & help - otherwise I don't know how I would have got up. All the while I was down there, petrol was pouring on top of me, so you can imagine how I smelt by the time I got back to the office. First thing I did when I got home was to put all my gear in the wash (including the leathers).
Fortunately I've not sustained any serious injuries, apart from a bruise to the heel of my right hand, and the overall aching now kicking in. I don't think Marcus is too badly injured either. There's some damage to the end of the handlebar, but I think that's more cosmetic than anything. However, the steering feels a bit wobbly at slow speeds. Once it speeds up it's fine. As soon as I can, though, I'll have to call the garage & get him booked in with the doctor for a checkup.
The lid has a chunk taken out of it, with a lot of grazing across the visor, as well as a few other scratches here & there - ok for getting home, but I don't think I'll even keep that one as a spare - and I only had it a few weeks. I've already ordered a new one at a cost of 185€ (about £140) from FC Moto, in Germany, which is the only place in the world I've found that can supply them to fit me. Mind you, with the damage done to it, it's a scary thought what might have happened if I didn't have it on. Even an open face wouldn't have helped much in that instant. The whole of the side of my face would have been torn off. Something that's worth £140 I reckon.
Fortunately I've not sustained any serious injuries, apart from a bruise to the heel of my right hand, and the overall aching now kicking in. I don't think Marcus is too badly injured either. There's some damage to the end of the handlebar, but I think that's more cosmetic than anything. However, the steering feels a bit wobbly at slow speeds. Once it speeds up it's fine. As soon as I can, though, I'll have to call the garage & get him booked in with the doctor for a checkup.
The lid has a chunk taken out of it, with a lot of grazing across the visor, as well as a few other scratches here & there - ok for getting home, but I don't think I'll even keep that one as a spare - and I only had it a few weeks. I've already ordered a new one at a cost of 185€ (about £140) from FC Moto, in Germany, which is the only place in the world I've found that can supply them to fit me. Mind you, with the damage done to it, it's a scary thought what might have happened if I didn't have it on. Even an open face wouldn't have helped much in that instant. The whole of the side of my face would have been torn off. Something that's worth £140 I reckon.
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
You see, FourPart, these sodding car drivers are really not fit to be behind the wheel of their killing machine, with eyesight and concentration as bad as that ! Of course they bugger off ! You are only a soft target and probably you weren't travelling all that fast, and I expect that even if the fatherless idiot is found and taken to court for careless driving, I expect he will escape much punishment by saying that he didn't see you and certainly didn't feel anything untoward ! ( The sad part about that is that the court magistrates usually believe the offender ! ) These pathetic drivers usually lie through their teeth, FourPart, those who bully and bugger off after they have caused an accident.
I know about these things because I was a biker for many years and even back then, a biker always had to look after number one ! Whilst overtaking a large lorry one time, the driver hadn't seen me passing him, he spat out of his open window, like some fold do, and I was very glad I had my visor down !!! But that could have been the cause of an accident and I doubt very much if there would have been any witnesses !
I'm afraid the incidents of near misses while I was a biker are far too numerous to mention - it became quite an achievement to reach work without some cretin nearly sending you to the happy bikers' rally meeting in the sky ! Over time one becomes quite skillful in anticipating potential problems on the road ! It is a sign of a first class biker if he/she reaches the age of retirement, having been a regular biker from youth, and is still alive !!!
I know about these things because I was a biker for many years and even back then, a biker always had to look after number one ! Whilst overtaking a large lorry one time, the driver hadn't seen me passing him, he spat out of his open window, like some fold do, and I was very glad I had my visor down !!! But that could have been the cause of an accident and I doubt very much if there would have been any witnesses !
I'm afraid the incidents of near misses while I was a biker are far too numerous to mention - it became quite an achievement to reach work without some cretin nearly sending you to the happy bikers' rally meeting in the sky ! Over time one becomes quite skillful in anticipating potential problems on the road ! It is a sign of a first class biker if he/she reaches the age of retirement, having been a regular biker from youth, and is still alive !!!
I'm a Saga-lout, growing old disgracefully
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
This is what it did to the lid. You can imagine what it might have done to my face had I not been wearing one. You can also tell from the relatively minor extent of the scrapes that I wasn't going that fast.
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
This is the point at which it happened. I was approaching from the same direction as the lorry. The car that pulled out was coming from the same place as the white / silver car. Braked & turned left & carried on. If you look closely you can also see how smooth the texture of the road is. Also, the standard of lighting there is abysmal.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.96522 ... 312!8i6656
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.96522 ... 312!8i6656
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
FourPart;1491199 wrote: This is what it did to the lid. You can imagine what it might have done to my face had I not been wearing one. You can also tell from the relatively minor extent of the scrapes that I wasn't going that fast.
One lid, one impact - that lid's had its day.
I'm glad you survived with only minor injuries.
One lid, one impact - that lid's had its day.
I'm glad you survived with only minor injuries.
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
Bloody HELL! I'm glad you're OK, though. Instant bad karma for the other guy though. He'll get his. Of course you aren't too visible in that BRIGHT YELLOW VEST WITH REFLECTIVE STRIPES now are you? (sarcasm) Glad you had leathers on. A rider friend of mine told me when I once thought of buying a bike that "It's not if you're going to lay it down, it's when you're going to lay it down."
By the way, the is "going out for an emergency shout?" Other than quaintly poetic, of course...
By the way, the is "going out for an emergency shout?" Other than quaintly poetic, of course...
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
Saint_;1491209 wrote:
By the way, the is "going out for an emergency shout?" Other than quaintly poetic, of course...
I work on the Emergency Out Of Hours Call Line for a Domicilliary Care company. If someone calls in needing urgent care there is a set Contingency Plan, involving trying to contact Carers who can cover, contacting Supervisors, then contacting Management, and if all else fails, the someone from the office has to go. Therefore, that someone was me. It doesn't happen often, but last week I had to go out & wait until 02:30 waiting with the client for an on-call doctor to arrive. My designated finish time is 22:30. It's not a pleasant job, but someone has to do it.
By the way, the is "going out for an emergency shout?" Other than quaintly poetic, of course...
I work on the Emergency Out Of Hours Call Line for a Domicilliary Care company. If someone calls in needing urgent care there is a set Contingency Plan, involving trying to contact Carers who can cover, contacting Supervisors, then contacting Management, and if all else fails, the someone from the office has to go. Therefore, that someone was me. It doesn't happen often, but last week I had to go out & wait until 02:30 waiting with the client for an on-call doctor to arrive. My designated finish time is 22:30. It's not a pleasant job, but someone has to do it.
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
FourPart;1491218 wrote: I work on the Emergency Out Of Hours Call Line for a Domicilliary Care company. If someone calls in needing urgent care there is a set Contingency Plan, involving trying to contact Carers who can cover, contacting Supervisors, then contacting Management, and if all else fails, the someone from the office has to go. Therefore, that someone was me. It doesn't happen often, but last week I had to go out & wait until 02:30 waiting with the client for an on-call doctor to arrive. My designated finish time is 22:30. It's not a pleasant job, but someone has to do it.
Maybe not pleasant but definitely necessary.
Maybe not pleasant but definitely necessary.
I (and Marcus) Is A Star
FourPart;1491218 wrote: I work on the Emergency Out Of Hours Call Line for a Domicilliary Care company. If someone calls in needing urgent care there is a set Contingency Plan, involving trying to contact Carers who can cover, contacting Supervisors, then contacting Management, and if all else fails, the someone from the office has to go. Therefore, that someone was me. It doesn't happen often, but last week I had to go out & wait until 02:30 waiting with the client for an on-call doctor to arrive. My designated finish time is 22:30. It's not a pleasant job, but someone has to do it.
I bow in respect to your generosity and altruism. Dickens would be proud of you:
"It is required of every man," the Ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world — oh, woe is me! — and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!"
I bow in respect to your generosity and altruism. Dickens would be proud of you:
"It is required of every man," the Ghost returned, "that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world — oh, woe is me! — and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness!"