I'm exhausted right now and will tell you guys all about it tomorrow or Monday.
However, I will tell you this--I lowsided pretty bad going 70 to 75 mph. A very scary moment--instructors were worried and so was I.
Pics of damage to the bike and body to follow.
Okay, here's the story:
My first mistake was listening to the instructor. Towards the end of the first class session I was a little annoyed over the fact that he did not warn us about the pothole between turn 5 and 6 I had heard warnings from other forum members (
www.socalsportbikes.com). So, I asked him about the pothole and he said it wasn't really a pothole but that it was a little crack and that it's been patched up. My @$$ (sorry) it was patched up. And my @$$ it was a little crack. It was huge!!! I saw the patch (not the crack mind you), and it was right smack in the middle of the turn so you either had to slow your pace, adjust your line, and go inside or outside of the ess turn which would throw you off for the next turn. Anyhow, he said it's like any other bump and if you roll on the throttle the bike will stabilize--my @$$!!!
Previous to my accident, I had gone over the patch numerous of times without the slightest feel of a shake or bump. The key word here is patch, not crack. On my second to last session is when I had gone over the crack. With the bike leaned as far as I could, and me being off the bike I chose the best line which happened to be the line I have been taking for the past sessions and used the patch as my reference point to hit the upcoming apex. I was in third gear, probably going 70 to 75 mph when I hit the crack. I felt my suspension drop which felt like it went off a curb, and that's when the front tire lost traction and washed out on me. My left elbow was the first part that hit the ground, then my upper thigh and as I was sliding I began to slow down; and as a natural reaction I stuck out my right hand to come to a complete stop (big mistake) and that's when I started to tumble. I was in the middle of the track with bikes zooming past me. I sat up, I felt my right hand throbbing with pain. I held my right wrist with my left hand, and just sat there, first, thanking God I was still alive, and second, making sure I was able to move all my body parts. Two instructors came up in a matter of seconds, and asked if I could get up. I didn't answer. One of the instructors saw me supporting my right wrist and asked if my arm was broken. Again, I didn't answer because I wasn't sure at that moment--I haven't gone that far down the list yet, I was still working on my toes...LOL
Through the tear of my right palm glove, I could not tell if my palm was bleeding or if it was just red for the impact.
Long story short, I was able to get up--nothing broken, a little road rash on my right palm, bike was able to run, and passed tech inspection and I was good to go for the last session.
Now, on this last session, I was probably going 40 to 45 mph...lol...and as I came upon that patch I took a long look to see how I could have crashed going over a "patch". I then noticed a huge "CRACK" that was three feet long, and about three to four inches deep!!! But it was one of those cracks that was off leveled (lack of a better term); and it blended in so well with the patch it was difficult to make out. A few guys came up to me and said they too went over the crack and almost lost it.
My second mistake? Listening to the stupid instructor, and not listening to my own gut feeling.
I'm a bit upset at the owner of the track--you would think they'd do a better job of patching the crack.
Anyhow, I'm just glad I didn't break any bones. I knew I was going to fall again, and it was just a matter of time but I'm glad it was on the track than on the streets. I had bought back up parts for my bike long time ago--that's how prepared I was.
For those wondering about how well the Dainese protect, take a look at the following pics. Also, I gotta say that the D-Stone Invader jacket by Dainese was amazing! The jacket held together--no holes--and the Dainese Dragon Fly pants are AMAZING!!!
I'll be taking a long break from riding, not because of what just happened, but because I have school and my business to run, and I also met someone...lol.
Here's some pics:
