Near misses

[knocker]

The other half decided she wanted a trip out to the coast yesterday and as it was forecast to be nice she'd also decided she wanted to go on the back of the bike.

Decided to go to scarborough then down to filey then to bridlington etc etc.

The journey involved a short hop up the M1. Was pootling along at a steady 85mph when we began to go up a bit of an incline, got to the top of the said incline when what do i all of a sudden see lying across the middle and outside lane of the motorway but an entire back car bumper. This wasn't just a piece it was the full thing and to say i absolutely shit myself must be the understatement of the year.

Not only was the bumper there but further along were other assorted bits of plastic and sharp pointy bits of metal all over the place. Luckily there was no one in the lane next to me so I was able to swerve to avoid it but had it been busy then I reckon things could have been quite messy and they may well have been taking me and the wife home in a jar.

There were no cars or anything in the hard shoulder so i really do wonder how someone can be driving and not know their back bumper has fallen off, also makes me wonder what state the car was in, bet it was an absolute death trap shed on wheels.

On another note, i've not been to scarborough in quite a number of years and i always remember it being quite pleasant but yesterday if i'm honest i found it to be a bit of a dump, on the plus side they do at least have designated free bike parking spots which is nice - chock full of some rather nice bikes too which make me crappy horrible divvy look even more crap and even more horrible

[wizzzard]

I have to agree with you about scarborough. We tend to miss it entirely now and go to brid instead much quieter and just feels like a more pleasant place.
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[Finglonga]

Most bumpers are only held on with plastic clips and the slightest of knocks when parking etc. will send them flying when the speed increases.

Seen loads of them over the years and other bits and pieces strewn across the carriageway. It's not as if anyone in their right mind is going to stop and retrieve it.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Kwaks]

Hope there was a fast response after you reported it
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www.cliqueycuntsmcc.co.uk
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[Clanger]

The English language is a funny thing, it's not technically a near miss...it should be a near hit...surely!?!?!?!
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[neil.]

The worst thing I saw was on a dual carriageway - a hub cap came unstuck from the wheel of a car a little way in front and went spinning/bouncing all over the place on a mad little frenzy. I wonder if it could have taken off a limb or something?
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Bishbash]

Blimey, that was lucky, I hope you stopped and reported it on there. Next biker might not be as lucky as you.
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[adam1985]

i was following a car last year on the dual carriage way when it hit a bumper on the road which caused the bumper to flick up and hit my windowscreen. I would dread to think of the outcome had i been on my bike!!!

[krebsy]

[metalangel]

I saw the plastic camper cover come off the back of a pickup truck on the M4. That could've been ugly for anything smaller than a bus.

No doubt the owner of that bumper is writing a letter of complaint to Peugeot...
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[The Artist]

I have seen an entire mattress fall off the roof of a car last summer. I was in a car so no worries for me.
It was on the roof and the wind just caught it. Cars were going straight over it as it was busy but everyone was still doing 70ish and they couldn't move!

[Feasty]

I was doing about 70mph in the fast lane on the M1 a few years back in my car and saw a double ladder fall off a lorry a few cars in front, none of us had time to miss it so ended up driving over it. One side of my car ended up driving over the ladder as it was diagonal and only partly covering my lane. I saw several cars pull over onto the hard shoulder so ended up pulling off at the next junction to check the car, couldn't see any damage though.

Can't imagine what would have happened to any bikers...
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed). Also now a Tiger 1050, easily best of the lot!

[the grim reaper]

I was in the car with my Dad once when three sheets of corrugated steel, which were held on with a bloody bungee cord, flew off the roof rack of the car in front. Fortunately my Dad saw it coming and was able to change lanes.

A member of my old bike club hit a steel girder on the bike, at night on the motorway, he somehow stayed on but bent both rims so baldy that he ended buying a set of Dymags. That girder got 9 vehicles before they were able to stop the traffic.

Cheers

Grim
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[Vincent]

If possible, i always go back and move offending article from the road - it could be your mate that follows behind and comes a cropper.

I've been fairly lucky myself, only ever hit a brick at high speed and luckily that was in the motor. I had a mate ht a cat once and when we pulled up, it was still hanging under the bike but it's head had been ground away :!:Funniest one i had was a piece of newspaper that flew up and covered the front of my helmet completely blocking off my view, thank christ I was only doing about 30mph. On a sadder note, I also lost a friend when he hit a cow

Seriously, if you can, go back and take it off the road
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