Motorcycling is considered by the majority to be dangerous and the riders themselves are nothing more than a bunch of risk taking mindless hooligans who care nothing about their own well being, let alone that of others. We all know that in reality this is definitely not the case, although I must admit that when you don your helmet and step across the bike you are making a commitment to risk much higher than say driving your car, catching the bus or train.We accept the risk secure in the knowledge that our skills in riding the motorcycle are enough to keep us from making a mistake that would do harm in any way because having passed the test to ride a motorcycle in the first place shows that we do indeed have the skills to stay safe and not be a threat to ourselves and other road users. Now the reason for this thread. I used to climb, mountains, rock faces and gorges at what was then considered a satisfactory standard E2 5b, which nowadays would be laughed at, standards are forever moving forward, just look at next years line up of bikes. I know how much training it takes to be at the upper levels of your game and compete with the strength and skills necessary to stay safe. I have stumbled across this video of a man who's strength and skill I have never seen before, not only is he strong physically but the strength he has in his mind is unparalleled. Now the crux: would you consider this to be skilful or just reckless, your opinions would be very much appreciated?
Amazing balls and mental strength, watched a TV programme about a British lad doing this, then he went to Russia to meet this bloke, inspiring and truly frightening at the same time. Live and let live I say, as long as they don't hurt anyone else.
I saw the same TV show that NZDave mentions, well I say I saw it, in reality I spent most of it not looking! the physical and mental agility of this guy is incredible, reckless probably, totally bonkers definitely, just this week there was an item on the evening news about a guy walking a tightrope blindfolded Nik Wallenda survives blindfolded tightrope walk between Chicago skyscrapers | National Post The only difference between those 2 as I see it is one guy asked permission and made the news and boke a record (presumably because his form of madness is accepted) the other if caught will get arrested, both of them are nuts but its their decision to do it and nobodies fault but their own should they fall The odd thing for me is I watched the tightrope guy and thought nothing off it, but when I try to watch the fellow hanging off cranes I actually feel quite nauseous.
He thinks he's in the Matrix. I can barely watch, my vertigo feels like it's just about to kick off for every clip.
Impressive certainly but doing that above a crowded street is reckless, and selfish. If he falls and kills himself that's his affair, but there's no justification for putting other people at risk so he can get his fix.
His ability to do that goes way beyond mine but that does not make him stupid. He looks well within his comfort zone so why not as long as he does not endanger others if it all goes wrong ? I expect a lot of us on the forum have skills in different area's that others would not dream of doing. (Even if it is 'just ' riding a motorcycle).
i have this conversation regularly, quite often with medical professionals,they spot the bikes in the workshop then it will go like this "i hate bikes and the damage they cause" one or two in particular are the adventure types. up here you get a lot of walkers/mountaineers/canoeist and the like, according to my surgeon mate, fortwilliam hospital is one of the more experienced hospitals when it comes to dealing with trauma, why? i wonder what the ratio is regarding injuries/fatality's to mountain types taking to the hill in winter and bikers taking to the road in summer is up here?. when i ask that question they normally stop their preaching.
The guy has an amazing power to weight ratio and clearly no fear of heights at all. However, he will die soon. You have a fear of heights for a good reason - to keep you alive. He will eventually make a mistake because we all do but his will be fatal. There will also perhaps be the gust of wind he didn't foresee. Still, amazing footage. Can't help feeling that jumping up and down on very thin things miles up in the air is not a recipe for a long life span.
Skillful and reckless - but so what ? "If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room". A mate of mine has just died - having spent all his life riding bikes, and being told that it's dangerous, he was killed by lung cancer at the age of 42. Never smoked, didn't drink much... Life can be a bitch - so enjoy it whilst you can !
I'm in the skillful and revkless bracket. Same as those guys who wheelie thru traffic at 100mph, and race throu packed congested streets
He is both skilful and reckless, at the same time, for the reasons stated above. Sooner or later, if he keeps doing those kinds of stunts, gravity will win. The great outdoors has many people pushing the boundaries, but few of them live to a ripe old age. Here is an example
There was a documentary on TV about this bloke a while back. I think he's Ukrainian. An English guy into the same activity went out to meet him and they filmed their exploits. I admire their courage, and athleticism but there is clearly something wrong. The mortality rate in this "sport" for want of a better word is extremely high. Both of them had seen friends die and both were fatalistic about their own long term survival. The buzz seemed to be knowing you will die eventually, the trick being to know when to give up before that happens. Motorcycling, mountaineering and most other "risky" activities are not remotely comparable with this. Compelling but slightly disturbing viewing.
And as with any activity, you want to pish the boundaries. Expect here its not learn, fail, improve. Its learn, fail, concrete face plant
A lot of the wingsuit stuff is Jeff Corbliss? or is it Corrliss. The point is that the wingsuit stuff just IMHO looks absolutely awesome one of the few "daredevil" activities I'd love to experience but never will. Too old and too poor, what a rush that must be......................good luck to them. Thanks for the video Pete John
This sort of thing requires a mix of skill and luck. The trouble with luck is eventually it runs out! ead:
