Comments on: Facing Fears, Wiping Out, and Getting Up Again

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 13:48:45 +0000

In reply to Peter. Thanks, Pete. Yes, riding a motorbike around Thailand (or anywhere in SE Asia, I guess) looks too easy. Truth is, it's a little more dangerous than it looks and requires you to have eyes in the back of your head. Glad you are enjoying the blog. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 02:10:06 +0000

I went to Phuket in June and saw so many tourists riding motorbikes with no helmet and someone on the back. As much as I wanted to hire one for the extra freedom, I couldn’t get the courage to do it.
The crazy driving and lack of courtesy and rules on the road was enough to scare me off.
Well done to you for having the balls to do it, too bad you hurt yourself but all part of the adventure I guess.
Enjoy reading your blog, just found it not long ago and enjoy the read when I get time.
THanks
Pete

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 11:05:33 +0000

@jeannie: Thanks. Not IF, but WHEN you have a motorbike accident in Thailand. So true, apparently. Regarding my being robbed by BKK airport security, it is incredible how the whole thing played out. Wild, in fact. I wish I had recorded everything on video.

By: jeannie

jeannie — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 02:51:11 +0000

Sorry about your run-in with the road. It is said in Thailand “Not IF you have a motorbike accident, but WHEN you have a motorbike accident…..” PS Totally mind blowing and amazing you got your money back from BKK robbery……one person in a million….your tenacity paid off!

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Mon, 02 May 2011 05:58:55 +0000

@Jeff: Thanks for the support. We’re hoping to rent a bike while in Bali.

I probably should have taken one of those courses, but you are right there are times when the bike is going down and all you can do is attempt (in split seconds) to mitigate the damage.

By: Jeff McNeill

Jeff McNeill — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:45:07 +0000

There are great motorcycle safety/riding courses in the US at community colleges that cover a lot of ground and really help a lot. That said, there are times when the bike is going down, and there is not a lot to do about it. The front brake cannot be used on dirt and gravel, that is one situation. Glad you are back on the bike. They are indeed the way to travel in SEAsia.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:58:50 +0000

@Peter: Thanks. At this point, everything is OK and I’ve got another valuable lesson under my belt.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 11:53:44 +0000

Very interesting to read about your experiences. Sorry about the accident.

By: Daniel Noll

Daniel Noll — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:29:22 +0000

@Lola: Thanks. It wasn’t fun, but I was relatively fortunate. And I learned a valuable lesson about the span of my control. Certainly there are things I could have done to prevent or contain the accident, but beyond that, I couldn’t have grabbed the steering wheel of the truck coming at me.

Maybe next time.

By: Lola

Lola — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:01:43 +0000

Just happy you’re okay and weren’t seriously hurt!

I usually liken these situations to being super careful and using all the right gear, yet having a drunk driver rear-end you or worse.

You can always prepare and be careful, but ultimately, life isn’t within our control.