The Dragon bites... even when not being an asshat
04-27-2017, 09:10 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
The Dragon bites... even when not being an asshat
I have to share my story on what happened to me today. It's embarrassing. It's frustrating. It's unacceptable. It's a head scratcher, but it happened and I hope my story will save a person from doing the same.
Today, I had my first accident that sustained damage on my car since I started driving at 17, because I was going TOO EASY!
I went out as the lead with a few of my buddies around 5pm to hit hellbender then go to the overlook point on the dragon.
The pace was easy. When I mean easy, it was 3rd gear the whole way through. The road was still drying up but there were a few wet spots, no biggie. Earlier in the day I drove the skyway back and forth 2 times in rain, fog, wind, rocks, and anything else you can think of with full confidence. The drives were great. I had a blast. I know my car real well. I actually enjoy driving in the rain because my input and outputs have to be even more precise than in the dry.
I know the dragon real well. This is my 4th year attending the dragon. I have a huge respect for it. But what happened was I let my guard down for this drive, since I was going at an easy pace.
I knew gravity cavity was coming, I was totally prepared for it, but what I didn't prepare for was the instant traction my right rear wheel gave me when I hit a bone dry part of road right before entering the cavity. I didn't let off, I didn't brake, I didn't do anything wrong besides letting my guard down, because I assumed it was an easy run. My right rear wheel slipped about 2 feet off and I did a full 180 spin and ended up like I was coming the other way. My speed was around 35-36mph. I slid about 40 feet. While it was such a small amount off and such a small spin, it's the dragon. There's zero room for error. It's unacceptable.
The point I want to make is even if you are just taking it easy out there, please be focued like your life literally depended on it. I was lucky. My fender now has 2 little bumps in it. That's all, but it could have been so much worse.
Today, I had my first accident that sustained damage on my car since I started driving at 17, because I was going TOO EASY!
I went out as the lead with a few of my buddies around 5pm to hit hellbender then go to the overlook point on the dragon.
The pace was easy. When I mean easy, it was 3rd gear the whole way through. The road was still drying up but there were a few wet spots, no biggie. Earlier in the day I drove the skyway back and forth 2 times in rain, fog, wind, rocks, and anything else you can think of with full confidence. The drives were great. I had a blast. I know my car real well. I actually enjoy driving in the rain because my input and outputs have to be even more precise than in the dry.
I know the dragon real well. This is my 4th year attending the dragon. I have a huge respect for it. But what happened was I let my guard down for this drive, since I was going at an easy pace.
I knew gravity cavity was coming, I was totally prepared for it, but what I didn't prepare for was the instant traction my right rear wheel gave me when I hit a bone dry part of road right before entering the cavity. I didn't let off, I didn't brake, I didn't do anything wrong besides letting my guard down, because I assumed it was an easy run. My right rear wheel slipped about 2 feet off and I did a full 180 spin and ended up like I was coming the other way. My speed was around 35-36mph. I slid about 40 feet. While it was such a small amount off and such a small spin, it's the dragon. There's zero room for error. It's unacceptable.
The point I want to make is even if you are just taking it easy out there, please be focued like your life literally depended on it. I was lucky. My fender now has 2 little bumps in it. That's all, but it could have been so much worse.
The following users liked this post:
JHo (04-28-2017)
The following users liked this post:
j0nwall (04-28-2017)
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04-28-2017, 08:02 AM
#7
It's a bitch being the First Penguin.
You familiar with concept of First Penguin? Sharks, seals, and others feed on penguins. A flock of penguins typically lets the First Penguin dive in the ocean first while they watch. Same concept in a group drive.
-- Chuck
You familiar with concept of First Penguin? Sharks, seals, and others feed on penguins. A flock of penguins typically lets the First Penguin dive in the ocean first while they watch. Same concept in a group drive.
-- Chuck
The following 2 users liked this post by Chuck S:
j0nwall (04-28-2017),
SkiLLeDS2000 (04-28-2017)
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04-28-2017, 10:28 AM
#8
Community Organizer
Unfortunately, this is why there's a low speed limit on that that road. Not everyone can handle safe travel down there, even in the best conditions, with a good car, traveling at conservative road speeds. Oh well.
The following users liked this post:
JHo (04-28-2017)
04-28-2017, 10:33 AM
#9
I have to share my story on what happened to me today. It's embarrassing. It's frustrating. It's unacceptable. It's a head scratcher, but it happened and I hope my story will save a person from doing the same.
Today, I had my first accident that sustained damage on my car since I started driving at 17, because I was going TOO EASY!
I went out as the lead with a few of my buddies around 5pm to hit hellbender then go to the overlook point on the dragon.
The pace was easy. When I mean easy, it was 3rd gear the whole way through. The road was still drying up but there were a few wet spots, no biggie. Earlier in the day I drove the skyway back and forth 2 times in rain, fog, wind, rocks, and anything else you can think of with full confidence. The drives were great. I had a blast. I know my car real well. I actually enjoy driving in the rain because my input and outputs have to be even more precise than in the dry.
I know the dragon real well. This is my 4th year attending the dragon. I have a huge respect for it. But what happened was I let my guard down for this drive, since I was going at an easy pace.
I knew gravity cavity was coming, I was totally prepared for it, but what I didn't prepare for was the instant traction my right rear wheel gave me when I hit a bone dry part of road right before entering the cavity. I didn't let off, I didn't brake, I didn't do anything wrong besides letting my guard down, because I assumed it was an easy run. My right rear wheel slipped about 2 feet off and I did a full 180 spin and ended up like I was coming the other way. My speed was around 35-36mph. I slid about 40 feet. While it was such a small amount off and such a small spin, it's the dragon. There's zero room for error. It's unacceptable.
The point I want to make is even if you are just taking it easy out there, please be focued like your life literally depended on it. I was lucky. My fender now has 2 little bumps in it. That's all, but it could have been so much worse.
Today, I had my first accident that sustained damage on my car since I started driving at 17, because I was going TOO EASY!
I went out as the lead with a few of my buddies around 5pm to hit hellbender then go to the overlook point on the dragon.
The pace was easy. When I mean easy, it was 3rd gear the whole way through. The road was still drying up but there were a few wet spots, no biggie. Earlier in the day I drove the skyway back and forth 2 times in rain, fog, wind, rocks, and anything else you can think of with full confidence. The drives were great. I had a blast. I know my car real well. I actually enjoy driving in the rain because my input and outputs have to be even more precise than in the dry.
I know the dragon real well. This is my 4th year attending the dragon. I have a huge respect for it. But what happened was I let my guard down for this drive, since I was going at an easy pace.
I knew gravity cavity was coming, I was totally prepared for it, but what I didn't prepare for was the instant traction my right rear wheel gave me when I hit a bone dry part of road right before entering the cavity. I didn't let off, I didn't brake, I didn't do anything wrong besides letting my guard down, because I assumed it was an easy run. My right rear wheel slipped about 2 feet off and I did a full 180 spin and ended up like I was coming the other way. My speed was around 35-36mph. I slid about 40 feet. While it was such a small amount off and such a small spin, it's the dragon. There's zero room for error. It's unacceptable.
The point I want to make is even if you are just taking it easy out there, please be focued like your life literally depended on it. I was lucky. My fender now has 2 little bumps in it. That's all, but it could have been so much worse.
The following users liked this post:
Alexs '05 (05-02-2017)