Well yes!. Reminds of trying to skateboard down the hill when we lived in Cuffley (Hertfordshire). I can state categorically that concrete lamp-posts do not break if you try to knee-drop them. And my mate, Steve, can attest to head butting not working either. Helmets? -
Ah that takes me back ! 4 jumpers became a boxing ring for settling playground desputes , and the impossibility of riding out of a speed wobble on a Raleigh Chopper !Yep I took one of these down the steepest hill in town as a 5 year old and decided I need to increase my skill level - after I crashed and burned big time a number of times
Appears it was Moore St just around the corner from home in Freeling St. A lot rougher verge and asphalt in those days I can assure you!
Google Maps
Google Maps
I used to dream of an aero upgrade with tassled streamers on the bar ends
It never happened
Then my 6yr old thoughts turned to 2 wheelers with lights and streamers
I ended up with an occasional loan of my older sister's 26" step-through ladies bike but used to ride standing on the pedals (the seat was out of my reach) 4-5 miles out of town, drinking out of roadside puddles as required and catching freshwater crawfish on locals farms dams. Life was different then in the country town of Naracoorte South Australia. The great thing was the local pool over an couple of acres in size with concrete edges and a large sand beach fed by the creek and with a diving tower in the middle. Still there I believe. Needl;ess to say sunburn, peeling skin and holes in my shoulders from sunburn were part of my usual summer to the age of 8-9 when we moved to the Big Smoke Magill in Adelaide.
Wow 50 years on it is still there and still only 4-500 metre from home at 57 Freeling St where I burnt down my first shed lighting up my sister's Noddy book in the corner. Boy was I popular!
Photos here are great Google Maps
Ah that takes me back ! 4 jumpers became a boxing ring for settling playground desputes , and the impossibility of riding out of a speed wobble on a Raleigh Chopper !
BEST idea is to slow downThe do not brake in a corner is what we teach the novice riders(MSF basic course) more experienced riders can and usually do brake in the curves (trail braking), trailing off your brakes in a curve and using a delayed apex lets you enter and exit faster but if not comfortable doing it stick with the safe and solid advice of get your braking done before the curve.
Ah kindred spirit's we are !
THE problem with all this is your racing on public roads and your have to look out for big piles of bull poop that will cause you to crash and burn in a big stinky pile of POOP LOL@Danvitt
Although merely a teaser regarding the subject, this is very excellent video introducing the trail-braking concept.
I would humbly add for those interested that you REMEMBER that they are speaking of ONLY a 1 out of 10 scale of brake application entering and exiting curves.
I really like what they teach about the importance of gradual and never abrupt brake or throttle application.
Your peak stopping friction is developed before the tire begins to skid, so that is the sweet spot for peak braking.
I would add that the friction circle is still in play. Newton's laws apply to motors, the same as to cages. With a motorcycle the more lean angle, the more friction that is required to hold the roadway in a given radius.
The tangent of the lean angle = the minimum necessary friction value to maintain traction. Most dry, level paved public roadways yield about .75g friction or about a 37° lean angle. Adding brakes while in a turn exponentially reduces the available friction.
friction circle & Pythagorean theorem
Example:
Your race track surface can yield a friction value of 1.0g - if you lean at 45°, you will require at least 1.0g just to maintain traction and not slide out. Nothing is left for ANY braking!
As depicted above, a lean angle of 20° requires at least .36g. This leaves you just a .64g maximum margin for braking.
You was definitely one of the posh kids !
