Triumphrat

BigVinny · 08-05-2005

There we were me and my new found riding partner out on a nice Sunday morning jaunt to a good cafe near Goodwood racetrack for a full English (thats a fried breakfast bacon, eggs etc and a mug of tea you can stand a spoon up in).

The partner was benthepaint and we met through this forum, and noticed we lived in the same town (about 2 miles apart actually). Hes asked me to post this article.

We took a nice twisty B road (small back road single carriage) and had done about 40miles when we turned a corner to discover later the road had been dressed with chippings. For those of you not familiar with this process it involves pouring a layer of liquid tar onto the road and spreading a stupid excess of stone chippings on it and allowing the hapless motorist to do the rest. This technique must be sponsored by autowindshields.com as it flies everywhere chips paint and crack windshields. Its like riding on marbles and should be preceded by 20mph max signs.

The loose chippings were piled up in great long furrows, He lost control on the bend slid over to the other side of the road and hit an oncoming car on his TBS. I lost control as well but escaped an accident. Lucky eh !

His TBS is damaged but he is determined to repair it, he is in hospital with a broken pelvis and wrist. He will be there in traction for another six weeks and will probably need pinning (like Barry Sheen).

All this because the ******* Highways Dept dont build roads properly (they do it min cost ), didnt post any warning before the road dressing and for some reason that defies any kind of logic started on a blind corner. It was inevitable.
The police got the Highways Dept to clean the chippings up but too late by then. I know what your thinking there is a case for litigation here.

The result a fellow forum member in traction, bike crashed but repairable. The hospital is in the process of getting each bed wired for the net, this should happen in the next two weeks. If it does ill post the address on the forum and you can all take the p*** out of him hell really enjoy that ! People have already been sending him pictures of Rocket 3 trikes (hes got a R3 on order for September delivery).

Thanks in anticipation for your support.

lancashirelad · 08-05-2005

Give him my best wishes,
definetly a case to answer here, obviously to late to get pictures, but I would follow up on the claim.
There are rules for safe working etc, & safeguarding the public if the contractor didn't follow them ie 20 mph signs, loose chippings signs etc they are at fault. The Police that attended will be able to give their opinion also presumably, & you will be a good witness.
I work in Local Covnt but not in highways but I wouldn't let this one go without a claim.

Rincewind · 08-05-2005

Here's to benthepaint's full recovery. :chug:

Get well soon!

superfour · 08-05-2005

Benthepaint get well soon. I agree with you as to the lack of thought when laying the stones. It gets done a lot around here. I have had many a moment,but thankfully no accidents.

JWoodsie · 08-05-2005

That's terrible news, Best wishes to Ben. I know his pain, I suffered a broken pelvis 22 years ago.
Hire a good barrister and sue the bejaysus outta the Highway Department.
They use thsi silly method of repairing roads here in aus too, its criminal.
Mend soon mate we need you on the forum here.

Shawn · 08-05-2005

Let Benthepaint know that we're glad he is still with us.

Hope he is back on the road soon.

upNorth · 08-05-2005

Benthepaint - heal, boy, heal!

Pennsylvania does the tar and chip deal on back roads - criminal in my opinion. I hope you are compensated for your lost time at work.

jimmyj900 · 08-05-2005

Give Ben my best wishes and hope that he's up and riding soon.

And tell him to sue for at least TWO new bikes! :-D

Jim

bobshields55 · 08-05-2005

Please tell benthepaint he shouldn't be lounging in that hospital bed too long admiring the scenery. He needs to be up and out so he can sue those silly twats ASAP!

johnyC · 08-06-2005

On the way over to Newcastle I bimbled round a bend to find a Land rover with the magic hazard lights on (when displayed, allows car drivers to park stupidly anywhere without fear of prosecution) right where a flock of a thousand sheep were crossing the road. (normally I would have had my breeks down in a flash, but my wife was present) Anyhow, the bloody magic hazards should have been 1/4 of a mile back!

All the best Ben, get well soon.