A Word on Keyflinging...

[Mad Otter]

I have often been asked to explain my title of "Maximum Distance Keyflinger" and so I will explain.

While enjoying the company of many on a particular Triple Crown ride in the San Diego area, I was finding myself annoyed with the behavior of one participant. This individual consistently road in a fashion that was reprehensible and a constant danger to himself and others. While riding up the front side of Mt. Palomar this individual blatantly disregarded the safety and well-being of a very good friend of mine, executing a dangerous pass over the DY on a blind left hand hairpin causing my friend to straighten and very nearly blow the corner altogether. At the same time causing the pick up truck coming down the opposite lane to brake severely and swerve to avoid frontal impact.


When we arrived at the top of the mountain this individual was boasting about how "fast" he was...much "faster" than anyone else on the ride. My friend confronted the individual (from here on to be called "Mort") about his riding which began to escalate to the point of some sort of physical joust. Being 6'4" tall and 225 pounds I decided to place my self between Mort and my friend so that no one got hurt. Mort took exception to my presence and began to attempt to "bump into my chest". It took on a comical look as Mort (all of 5'4" tall) huffed and puffed, running and jumping to full elevation in order to "bump" me. I asked him to stop and to stop riding like an idiot to which he took umbrage...then threatening to do me some sort of harm. At that point I lost patience and removed the key from the ignition to Mort's bike and gave an example of proper "key flinging", depositing his key some 60 to 70 yards up the side of a heavily grown hillside with a single movement. Needless to say Mort was stunned. By the fact that I had flung his key or by the magnificent form used in doing so I am not sure, but the silence was deafening!

We rode on peacefully...and much to our surprise witnessed Mort exiting the park on his motorcycle for he had stowed an extra key, his experience at "key flinging" on display.

So to proper "key flinging"...when you wish to get the full effect upon a key to be flung grasp the key shank between the thumb and middle finger of the flinging hand in order to stabilize the key. Use the index finger behind the top of the key like a "hook" (see photo). Using a side arm motion ala Teculvey, sweep the arm forward quickly and at the last moment flick the wrist and release the key forward. The index finger should be the last point of contact with the key which will create a reverse spin motion. This reverse spin will cause the key to rotate much like the blade of a helicopter creating "lift". Smile as the key elevates and accelerates towards your intended point of contact with terra firma. Do not use an overhead motion as it will cause the key to veer either left or right with virtually no lift thereby limiting the maximum distance potential for that effort. This technique works well on individual keys without keychains or other attachments. Watch for updates on key ring tossing to follow.

[Jeff Williams]

alan,
started an urban myth that day.

[Rapid Dog]

...otterbump...Hey!..

[Jeff Williams]

R-dog.
lmao, that looks just like it happened.

[Mad Otter]

While leading a group of riders this last weekend I ran into Jeff Williams and a few of the Z Rated group. Jeff took a moment to relive the Keyflinging incident playing the part of Mort the ChestThumper...

[Rapid Dog]

...oh mann, that is funny!

[Jeff Williams]

+1

[Guest24]

+2

[sgoodwin]

Excellent move Otter. Too bad he had a spare.