Real world rides, real world riders

Going potty

I have been cycling for many years, since I was 17, and now at the age of 59 have several BSAs, 1100cc Maxim, Lambretta, CX500 custom, 800cc Boxer and because the wife won't get on a motorbike a Burgman 400 scooter which we use during the summer months for touring through the Welsh countryside.

This Burgman is well looked after (7000 miles) and I had used it to travel to work in Cardiff on Thursday 18 March, the weather had been fine during the morning and deteriorated to heavy rain by 5.30pm the time to make the homeward journey.

The Burgman does not provide a great presence on the road and because of road spray etc I decided to stick to the secondary roads to get home rather than the high speed of the motorway and the danger of not being seen.

I had travelled from Cardiff to the village of Pentyrch en route to where I live at Beddau, the route drops from Pentyrch down to the village of Efailisaf and it was on this road that I found a pothole that did not take prisoners.

In heavy rain travelling at approx 15mph I approached a blind bend, the cycle handlebars suddenly dropped and then the Burgman almost stopped dead then leapt into the air, the wing mirrors had dropped, battery compartment dash doors had opened even though locked, the front tyre was flat.

I pushed the bike home a distance of about two miles. I notified Carole Nash insurance and though insured full comp was recommended to take photos and notify the council. The council have sent a claim form of a report of an alleged accidental damage and I will let you know how I get on.

I have been fortunate never having had a motorcycle accident before and find this occurrence maddening, I shall forward photos of the damage and the pothole. In a long range photo you can see wheel trims left from cars that have also hit this large hole. The end of the tape is held in the submerged hole by a house brick that I placed on the tape to keep it in position while I took the photo, it does not come to the surface of the pothole.

Regards,

David Williams
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So sorry to hear of your spill David, very glad that you weren’t hurt in the fall. Please do keep us all up to speed with what happens as result of your claim. TC