Afternoon, another newbie here, what you drinking?

[twids]

I'm from Essex (Don't all grown), I had a serious bike accident last year and have decided to change my hobby!

I'm still hobbling around on crutches so what areas can I start learning and looking into whilst I'm resting?

Eventually I would to do blue water sailing and perhaps crewing on boat delivery's etc...

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[IanPoole2]

What bit of Essex do you live in?
If you live in the Colchester or Maldon areas, try joining one of the local sailing or Yacht clubs. In Maldon and along the Blackwater, or West Mersea or, Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea on the Colne all have clubs.
They are pretty active & should be able to get you a float, crutches or not for a taster.
Large, stable dingy is a good starting point and they have thier own one-designs

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[orion21]

Hi there, I had a bike crash in 1996 and now i suffer from M E (or something like that). I'v now sold my bikes and got back into sailing. I sailed when i was younger at school and sea cadets. Last year i bought a small yacht (a corribee ) and i'm having a great time sailing again, i wish i'd got back to it sooner.
Hope you have a great time sailing.
Cheers, Geordie

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[jamesjermain]

Welcome, 'Twids'.

It's never too soon to get afloat and start learning. Local clubs are good. You could also try local sailing schools who will be happy to take you out on a 'suck it and see' trip. They will also be able to arrange crewing and and basic skippering courses as well as dinghy and keel boat training. The great thing about sailing is that there are ways of doing it which are open to everybody, whether fully fit, temporatily on crutches, permanently disabled etc.

Any questions? There's always someone here who will provide an answer - even if they don't know what they're talking about /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

I hope and believe you will enjoy it thoroughly.

<hr width=100% size=1>JJ

 

[cameronke]

Hello Twids

Just had to get my tuppence in. I still have a bike myself, OK its an old R80RT and not the most exciting bike in the world but I reckon that motorcycling hasn't got a look in against sailing. you know that wonderful feeling of freedom on the open road? Well imagine it to the nth degree out on the water. You want the adrenaline buzz? Get a hot dinghy (when you are fit enough) and hiked out with the rigging thrumming as you crash through the waves beats just about any good B road, and it doesn't usually hurt as much if you get it wrong.

Good luck, but a warning. It is seriously addictive. Do not be surprised if in a very short time you eat, sleep, live and dream sailing.

now are there any voluntary organisations to help me...............

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[jamesjermain]

PS

I am just about to start biking, having passed my test in the autumn. Have my sights set on a Pan. Presumably you would advise against?

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[robp]

Re: PS

James, at least you just started with a new test. Probably the worst kind are like me, who got back on after 32 years! (Just a 600cc Rice Rocket). I do treat it all with respect though and don't trust anyone I see on the road. I wouldn't put anyone off trying biking, it's so much fun. But it's not without it's risks. Take care, its hard to keep the speed down!

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[twids]

Re: PS

jamesjermain, nope I love motorbikes, it probably helps that the accident wasn't my fault (the chap got convicted of careless driving).

If I could ride one again I would, but I really smashed my leg up and the docs don't think I'll be able to ride again. Hence the change in hobby really.

I live quite close to the Backwater Estuary, so joining one of the clubs down that way would be really convenient.

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[boatless]

Re: PS

James

I'd advise not to bike on public roads at all.

Why? Got knocked off a beloved Kawasaki 400 while wearing my dayglo Henri Lloyd Jacket and trousers. Headlight on. Ended up underneath a 2 ton Post Office van. Fortunately with over 12" of ground clearance since by the time he'd stopped I'd been under the bumper, engine, gearbox and was partly under the back axle. I thought that I had eye contact with the driver as I passed through (stand on vessel) a crossroads at which he was waiting. I had slowed from 30 down to about 15mph until I was 'sure' that he'd seen me. (Grey morning, damp road) It did cure a nagging backache though.

I nearly knocked someone off a bike. Just didn't see him until last moment.

A colleague is the only one of his school class group who is not dead through motorcycle accidents. Mostly middle aged when they did it.

Lost one friend myself, another lost his arm in the same accident.

Love bikes, track only.

John

<hr width=100% size=1>the above is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[IanPoole2]

Re: PS

Try the link below - its off the Tollesbury SC website and has links to all the local clubs:-
http://www.tollesburysc.co.uk/links.htm#local yacht

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[nct1]

Re: PS

There are old bikers and there are bold bikers, but few old bold bikers

Yes you are very much more vulnerable than a car driver, but as long as you are old enough develop a sixth sense for drivers who have not seen you, and have max visibility then the rewards are worth it.

The most complaints about driver blindness in my experience, come from motorcyclists who ride black bikes, and wear all black biker gear including helmets.

If you have the lights on, ride a bright coloured bike and wear reflective clothing and a bright helmet, then you reduce the chances of not being seen considerably, however, this is not foolproof as another poster has identified and hence the 6th sense requirement.

But it is a rewarding way to travel, being less affected by traffic jams than car drivers, however I would say that were I in my early twenties and taking up biking, I would probably not be around now as I would not have the experience to get the 6th sense.


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[mbay]

twids I'm also a new member here, got knocked off my bike 3yrs ago ( not my fault ).whilst on crutches and stuck indoors i surfed this inter web thingy wondering what i could spend my compension pennys on, then i remembered how much i loved sailing when i was younger.
i joined a local yacht club did a day skipper course and got myself crewing, loving every minute of it. still aint got a boat yet but am seriously looking now.

good luck

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[ongolo]

Re: PS

Off - road riding in the moutains or in the desert beats it all. Having been riding since I was 14, I would never give it up. That is why I built my schooner with a large hold to carry two bikes.

Riding an Enduro of about 100kg dry weight handles better than any road bike as far as control is concerned and it is less dangerous than riding a road bike.

Not to mention the real fun when you get to ride the highest sand dune in the world or ride circles around the most powerful 4WD.

On the road though, one thing is for sure, EVERYBODY IS OUT TO KILL US.

regards ongolo

<hr width=100% size=1>1000 dream about it, 100 talk about it, 10 start and 1 completes it

 

[Gunfleet]

Re: PS

Hi Twids and welcome,
If you are by the Blackwater probably the best introduction is a dinghy course with Bradwell Outdoor Education, run by Essex county council. Just phone them. They also have a Sigma and will do 'taster' days of yacht sailing. Then move on from there...

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[jeffro]

Re: PS

still ride and still sail 100% grin factor from both still limp keep on riding!

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[Aja]

Re: PS

I'm with you on this one.

I passed my test in 1977 - and then gave up biking when I got myself a real girlfriend - where have I heard all that before?

Went back to it about 10 years ago - but bought myself an old Suzuki TS100 - yup a walloping 100cc's to play with - but then I keep it at my parent's and only ride through the village and onto the forestry trails. Oh what fun!

Roads? Bikes? nope never. Not now.

Donald

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[Colin24]

Re: PS

I’m also changing from biking to boating.
I love bikes, always have, but feel it’s only a matter of time before my legs get mashed one way or another. I’m no Barry Sheen –er, I mean Valentino Rossi (whew, almost gave my age away them)
I’m happy that I ride well within my own limits, but other road users just can’t be accounted for so I’m getting out while I’m still in one piece.

Still in transition though, any body looking to buy ,91 CBR600 FM ?

Now there’s a dilemma –how should I feel about selling the thing to someone when I’m getting rid because I finally accepted that its too dangerous?, It’s like selling a car and knowing that the brakes are faulty .

This is getting a bit bikey rather than boaty.

I’ll get my coat…


<hr width=100% size=1>No boat.

 

[rickwat]

The love that dare not mention it\'s name

Jet Skis. Keep it quiet but I had several Sea-Doos culminating in a GTX. I was obviously the model rider and even rescued a windsurfer on one occasion. But I fear I've said too much already.

Anon

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[Colin24]

Re: The love that dare not mention it\'s name

A locked door...
A loader pistol...
A modicum of dignity....

Need I say more

<hr width=100% size=1>No boat.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Hi,
In the classroom - at your local Adult Education Institute, yacht club or sailing school - you could profitably study Day Skipper (Navigation), First Aid, Diesel Engine maintenance and DSC (radio).

On the water I fear that a lot of skippers would be wary of taking you for a taster trip until well [read below about litigation] while Sailability (the pros at sailing for the disabled) might be a little bit reluctant to take you if you'll be walking in a few weeks. I hope I'm wrong.

Be inspired - In the sixties there was a guy (possibly Arthur Slater of "Prospect of Whitby"?) who switched from motor bike racing to yachting after a smash and went on to skipper a yacht in the Admiral's Cup!

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