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Re: Engineering 101 - Was:[ST] New Member



(sorry to revive a killed thread)....

Martin Waltman wrote:
> The simplest experiment is to take a rock and a piece
> of jello out to the pavement and see witch one slides
> further the jello would represent the human body and
> the rock the bike. 

Martin -- while this argument is valid in many circumstances, I think it
is overly simplistic of real crash situations.    While the body slides 
(whether race leathers, 'stich or flesh) slower than the bike on 
pavement; once off pavement, the world turns a bit on the (was) rider.

Assume that you lowside a corner.  you and bike slide off tarmac (for
simplicity we assume no curbing.  there's no such thing as "sliding"
over curbing)  Bike slides way faster on pavement than rider.  once bike
leaves pavement various "thingies," most often pegs or bars, auger in 
quite nicely.  Suddenly rider's velocity is greater than bike's, and 
bike's (negative) accelleration is greater than (ex) rider's..  here is 
where rider (sliding on protective gear... we hope) hits bike.  OUCH. 
been there.  done that.

I've had enough low sides to have mastered this process, and, if sharing 
this can save some injuries, I think it justifies responding to this 
thread.

If you find yourself in a fresh lowside, you most often are on the 
ground sliding on one side.  Manipulate yourself such that you are 
sliding on your back, feet first.  This way, if you do find yourself in 
a situation of serious deccelleration or reconnecting with your (less 
than perfect?) ride, you have some strong muscles and big bones ready to 
handle it.

(cheezy, if not rickety, segue)

now, let me tell you about the _first_ time I broke my clavical....


oh yeah..  the technique above is best done when wearing a back 
protector.  Get one, not the crappy "back protector" that rider 
warehouse sells for the 'stich (sorry andy g -- it really does _SUCK_ ) 
Buy a real one like a bohn, dainese, helimot TLV etc.

Naturally all disclaimers apply..  I am not a dr, lawyer or indian 
chief, but I play all three on the internet.

- --chuck
amatuer crasher and engineer



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