The "Thrill" of the crash

Question

This is a quote from Sete Gibernau after another test session on the Ducati

"It's been great trying qualifying tyres again after almost two years, but the most important thing is that the feeling with the bike in race trim was perfect almost straight away," he said. "Today I have experienced again the 'thrill' of a crash and I'm fine."

This is one of the reasons I gave up Riding. I was getting a buzz out of crashing. After reading this I wondered if anyone else out there actually likes crashing out. or is it just a few weirdo's like me and Gibernau ?

Answer 1

Hi Proc.I know where your coming from.I have only had one major crash on the roads,as soon as the dust settled i got up and didn't know whether i was coming or going(i was walking round in circles with that sicky feeling you get)but then i felt all pumped up and like wow,how did i get away with that(well sort of,pelvis and colar-bone messed up)It was two hours before i went to hospital,as the high was so good and felt no pain.Maybe it's some sort of perverse kick you get knowing your on the limit and it can be broken in an instant,and when it does happen your kind of expecting it?.As riders we know what can happen but don't want it to happen and when it does you know you've cheated the Reaper and for that brief while you feel,Ha not this time i'm invincible.Maybe it's a case of if you have never came so close to death you haven't lived?.Who knows what it is.

Answer 2

I saw that quote from Sete, too. I had the same thoughts as you.

I went into a turn way too hot. I high-sided at 100+, did half a flip, landed on my back (full leathers!), slid about 70 feet, caught me heal as I left the tarmac and went into the dirt, tumbled a couple times and came to rest in a seated position. My first thought was "What the f___ just happened?" My second thought was something like, "d**n, my ankle hurts, but I can't believe I'm not hurt worse" (sprained the ankle), and my third thought was "Woohoo! That was awesome! Can we do it again?"

This was followed by "Where am I gonna get the money to fix my bike and buy new leathers??"

They say the first rule of crashing is "Being willing to crash". The willingness to go down means you won't fight the fall, and just go with it...hopefully minimizing any injury. I think anyone who really puts a bike thru the paces on a track knows the risks, and accepts them. When you go down on a bike the first thing your feel is adrenaline. Crashing is a rush, no matter how you slice it. Motorcycle riders/racers are risk takers by nature, and love the smell of adrenaline in their nose. I think it makes sense that we seem to enjoy the rush of crashing...as long as we survive it!

Answer 3

Hi Proc

I'm lucky in the fact that I've only had (what I would class as)  two accidents on the road (Off road field bikes when I was a kid not counting). Both low speed, and I came away without a scratch on both occasions. One was a low side on black ice going round a slow corner, and the other was my foot slipping on a mixture of water and diesel on a garage forecourt (very embarrassing).

I've had a few close ones on some of the few occasions that I ride like a nutter. And yes, it certainly gets the old adrenalin pumping. But I don't think I like the thought of crashing. Call me strange.....but I hate pain you see. I like my adrenalin rushes to be controlled. Sky diving, bungee jumping, white water kyaking, that kind of thing.

So maybe you and Sete are a little weired. I would stick to the armchair (with a few beers) if I were you mate. I'd miss you on Y.A

Answer 4

You worry me - Promise me you'll go and

see (lol) someone first thing Monday

morning - x*x -

I've always said it - there's only one thing

more appealing than a man in leathers -

That's a man in leathers on his knees !!

Answer 5

Hello from sunny France Mr Proc !

I cant say I ever enjoyed crashing. I have binned it on the road and the track, and never really found a " thrill "

I can see the whole thrill in pushing untill your own limit, but not really in the crashing.

I think it is you and old man gib's. YOUR ARE WEIRD !!!