Modern Vespa

Was out and about on my way to REI and a grocery store. Turned down a steep hill and about half way down around a blind curve a water pipe had burst and was leaking like a mofo. Good friggin lordy. I started hydroplaning and slid about 100' with no chance of slowing down since I was on a 10° slope. Somehow managed to keep upright (thank the universe I used to joy ride in parking lots in the snow and learned how to steer with zero traction!) and stalled the engine out and I slowly coasted down the the bottom of the hill where I collected my dignity off the ground and continued on.

I looked like I was trying to drive a vehicle on an ice hockey rink. Fishtail left and right. Whew.

Stay safe everyone! Those pop outta nowhere hazards are a bit scary.

Good on you for keeping it up and safe. I probably would have gone done sideways.........

I'm glad you kept it rubber side down!

Along those same lines, as we get into fall, everyone who gets lots of leaves on the road, remember that those things get super-slippery with a little bit of rain and will lay you right down if you give them half a chance.

Glad it was only a scare. Those are the most useful riding skills…the ones that keep you safe when the unexpected happens.

When i was 17 i had an off. I had a pillion. I was Riding a p200 that seized and my life really did flash before me. I came off at around 50mph, didnt have time to pull the brake in. Everything slowed down, i was sliding down the road, my partner was sliding towards the curb and the P200 was spinning like a top down the road on its side panel, through 360 degrees, once, twice, three times all in slow motion to me. It took me a few years to get back on a scooter as it seriously demonstrated to me how vulnerable 2 wheels are. My leather jacket was fused to my arm, my DM boots were burned through and other than a grazed up butt cheek i was very lucky, my partner too. Sounds like your higher power was watching down on you matey.

Leather jacket and big leather boots. Good gear is timeless.

Glad you made it through that Chief!