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Camber Clashes

Off-camber left-handers require special attention.

You’ve finally found the time to ride some of those twisty roads you’ve only read about. The road called the “Dragon” through Deal’s Gap in North Carolina has been high on your list, and finally you get the chance to ride it. You’re enjoying the twists and turns, but you’re constantly amazed at how quickly the pavement changes direction and shape. You have to work hard just keeping the bike within your lane. It’s a fun ride, and you gradually increase your pace as you gain confidence.

Just when you thought you had the “Dragon” tamed, you carve into a left-hander and run out of leanover clearance. Your sidestand slides along in a trail of sparks, levering the bike up until the rear tire loses traction. The rear end slides out, and the bike drops into a muddy ditch. You’re not seriously injured, thanks to armor in your riding gear. But there is much broken plastic that will need serious repairs before you can continue the trip.

Almost all twisty roads have one or more dangerous corners. If you’re not intimately familiar with a road, it’s best to ride very conservatively and follow smart cornering lines. Be aware that left-handers are often more dangerous than right-handers, due to the camber of the pavement.

Entering this corner, you should have observed the right edge of the pavement disappearing; a strong clue it slants off steeply toward the ditch. You should have immediately braked to reduce speed and lean angle, and shifted your weight to the left. Your cornering lines have a direct bearing on whether you crash or continue. Entering this left-hander more from the right would have pointed the bike toward the level pavement near the center of the road.