Accidents and Death from Motorcycling

Frankly, I have no interest in dying - at least not right now.

But, when I ride, I am often asked why I would do such a crazy dangerous thing, as motorcycling? Yes, motorcycling can be dangerous, and you may even get killed as a result, but undertaken the right way, the risk is comparatively low. Seriously, compare it to the popular sports of base jumping, wing gliding, big wave surfing, alpine climbing, deep sea diving - all notably more dangerous than riding motorcycles. Threats to life and limb on motorcycles come in two distinct types -
a) those that the rider has control over, and
b) those that he or she has little control over.

There is an incredible range of statistics on deaths of motorcyclists. Surprisingly most serious accidents happen in the type (a) accidents - those where we have control over ourselves. For example, 45% of serious accidents in the state of Victoria last year, were from riders who were either unlicensed or alcoholic - or both. We have control over these things. Licence tests are there for a good reason - most riders actually learn a thing or two from the process. Secondly, a high preponderance of crashes are "single rider" where he or she were "not in control of their motorcycle" and rode off the road, usually from a corner. Clearly poor skills, tiredness, in-appropriate machinery or sheer speed play a significant role here. In my recent incident (November 7, 2015) where I rode off a corner and onto the road, I was fully to blame - too fast, a dangerous hard new tire fitted and being tired from a very early start in the day. My bad. Get over it. And learn a lesson for next time. Sorry friends and family you also just have to get used to the fact that I tend to ride hard and fast most of the time and therefore my risk goes up. This is what I love to do.

For those who are un-licensed I have little sympathy. Do the course if you want to live. For those who drink, I know full well I cannot stop you. I have a very personal rule (for me) - NEVER ride if I have had more than one beer, even to the corner. After I set myself this very hard rule, it made a very big difference to the way I planned some of my rides.

1. My first suggestion to all riders is this - prepare for the day you have an "off". It WILL happen eventually. One year in Sydney I saw 12 accidents with the Sydney HOG group, in most cases individuals riding off the road. Not one was serious enough to require an ambulance attend. In each case the rider looked a little foolish - and will go home to learn how to counter-steer properly (for example).

2. Wear good gear all the time. When I crashed in November 2015, I was wearing a full armored race suit, gloves, flip-face helmet and armored boots. All were damaged or destroyed completely, but I had no skin abrasions to start. Just a few broken ribs and a hand that have repaired. By comparison, a friend who attended hospital in Rapid City SD during the Sturgis festival, saw over 400 riders in there, with appalling skin abrasions and head injuries, because most Americans don't wear full leather and rarely ride with a helmet. While I respect their decision to do so, and I will fight for their rights here, my personal view is that they are plain stupid. I think it is un-cool not to wear a helmet.

3. Understand that there are a few "objective dangers" where your control over the situation is minimal or nil. Such as when a deer or a kangaroo jumps out in front of you, or a rock or tree falls from the side of the road (which kill riders ever year), or lightning strikes you, or a car comes around a corner on your side of the road, or a bridge or road edge has washed away and is un-marked. Yes, you could travel REALLY slowly and pay much more attention but you cannot always control these events, despite excellent planning and preparation.

3. What is NOT an accident? I have had non-riding friends and spouse give me a hard time when my bike arrives in the garage with a scratched crash bar, or broken clutch lever. Get over it - everyone drops their bike in a parking lot, or on a slightly graveled corner or on the side of the road once in a while. I have literally lost count of the number of times this has happened to me. This is NOT a crash, or a wreck! ( I have twice had to explain to a Sheriff that my bike lying on its side on the median was not an opportunity for him to claim it as a "wreck"!) And that Wonderful riding community always comes to hand and helps lift the bike up - every time. I just love that!

So, strive to stay alive. Do the right thing and wear the right gear. Don't ride when drunk. Understand that riding at night may involve encounters with animals. Then, go and have fun. Besides you could be struck down tomorrow walking across a pedestrian crossing, and wouldn't it be a pity if you had NEVER rode a motorcycle and had that glorious experience!

IBR 2015 Part 1 - Iron Butt Rally - Purpose, Summary

Thoughts from the Iron Butt Rally 2015 by Olaf Moon

Purpose

In 2015, I was a rookie entrant and “official finisher” in the IBR. I have prepared this document purely as my personal thoughts on the Rally, for a few friends and interested family members, knowing full well that some will be very interested and others will disagree with my views in some way.  However is designed to serve two overall purposes:

1.      To provide feedback to interested Long Distance Riders (LDR) who have requested it

2.      To provide a reminder to myself, of what I did right and what should be changed or improved upon, for the next rally.

In Summary;

“Long Distance Motorcycle Riding is as addictive as Crack” - said one Iron Butt Rider.

I spent four years preparing for this rally, trying out different bikes, running a number of SS1000 IBA (Iron Butt Association) rides (and similar but longer IBA Certificate rides), entering the 6 day “Butt Lite VII” rally, riding some long distances to Key West for example, and testing new approaches (such as alternate photographic stances in the winter BMR Rally).

Most new riders consider the most critical element to be their bike and the attached technology. It is not. The most critical element is the mental strength and approach by the rider, followed closely by the navigational strategy used by that rider.

What is the Iron Butt Rally?

The IBR started in 1985 and runs every second year. It is billed as “the World’s Toughest Rally” over 11 days – and all evidence suggests that this is the case, especially as it is run on public roads. It is not a race, but more akin to a scavenger hunt where riders earn points for going to particular waypoints, photographing them with their Rally Flag (and number) in the picture and moving on.

Typically it runs in three legs, with Leg 1 being about 82 hours, Leg 2 65 hours and Leg 3 95 hours. Sleep is at a premium; with riders typically getting about 3-4 hours’ sleep in 24.

There is a minimum target set to be a “Finisher” and receive the fabled “three digit IBA membership number” plus a plaque. There is no prize money. These cannot be “bought” so are at a premium and highly valued by participants. This year’s target was not just to accumulate the highest number of points, rather it was to visit a minimum 25 States and 50 National Parks – in my view this was easier than a straight figure, but others disagree. The organizers determined that the minimum distance required to achieve this was about 8650 miles. I rode 9650 miles and could and should have ridden about 10,800.

Why Do It at All?

There is a common question about why bother? It is often answered by a quotation

“There is no rational reason for what I am about to do” attributed to John Ryan, hero.

In fact it could be considered a very self-interested pastime, as few riders ride in teams or with a pillion (five in 2015). Some consider it even selfish. This is aggravated by the decidedly higher risk of failure or of an accident, appalling weather at times, and the cost of undertaking the venture, let alone the time required, plus the mental and physical demands. The entrance fee alone is US$1900 (which is great value as it happens). In summary, it is a brutal event but huge fun.

So why did I do it? – The personal reasons are;

1.      I love riding motorcycles – I feel great out on the road.

2.      I love a clear rational challenge – something with a specific goal where I could compare myself directly against others

3.      I like to find things to do that will stretch me –everything about who I am

4.      I wanted a good excuse to see much more of America, not just the big cities.

5.      I wanted a goal that would balance in a different way, against work and family.

The fact is, “I do find riding in the IBR to be as addictive as Crack – it’s that simple”.

Entering the IBR

Placing an entrance request to the IBA for a position on the IBR is quite a process. And I support that, because it whittles out the mischievous, and the un-committed. Some thousands apply and pay their deposit of about $100, nearly two years in advance. The process includes submitting a “riders’ resume” – something that every potential entrant should do, just to see what you have achieved so far!

About 120 people are offered places. Some are pre-ordained (the first 10 place getters from the Butt Lite Rally for example- see http://www.teamstrange.com/). Some are so extreme in the “Hopeless Class” that the organizers feel entitlement is warranted (if you ride a 25 year bike or 250cc Scooter e.g.). Some riders have been in so many (up to 8 past IBR’s) that they deserve another run. Some are just old – 79 this year (and he finished). Some have amazing riding resumes (how about 30 “Bun Burner Gold’s” – 1500 miles in 24 hours). Some are just “alien” from other countries like Belgium, Germany, Zambia, Ireland and Australia – and a proportion get a go. Many people who have “screwed the pooch” with the organizers don’t get a hearing – it’s not wise to turn up drunk and tell the Rally Master where to get off. But it happens.

"As Addictive as Crack"

“Long Distance Motorcycle Riding is as addictive as Crack” - so said one Iron Butt Rider.

I spent four years preparing for the 2015 Iron Butt rally, trying out different bikes, running a number of SS1000 IBA rides (and similar but longer events), entering the 6 day “Butt Lite VII” rally, riding some long distances to Key West for example, and testing new approaches (such as alternate photographic stances in the winter BMR Rally).

Most new riders consider the most critical element to be their bike and the attached technology. It is not. The most critical element is the mental strength and approach by the rider, followed closely by the navigational strategy used by that rider. This rally is brutal. It breaks machines, men and minds. (And women). It is also a huge amount of fun.

Why Ride?

I learnt to ride a motorcycle when I was 15. Few times over the years, have I felt the rush and delight that comes with riding. Sometimes, when SCUBA diving, rock-climbing or skiing, we felt that same thrill of acceleration, of living-in-the-moment. To share this with my family and friends is one of the great pleasures of life.

Today, I dont have the physical fitness of an 18 year old. But we can still get the rush from that time. My pleasure is built around long-distance riding, often over 1000 kilometres per day, or even 1000 miles per day. This blog is about the feeling and motivation of long distance motorcycle riding. (LDR).