Never be to careful

I was riding up north Friday afternoon.
About 30lbs of gear in the tail bag.
It had just rained and the roads were still wet.

I was coming up on a resturant/bar.
I saw a car back out of a spot in the parking lot.
At this point I down shifted and let off the gas.
As I approached the entrance I was still going 45-50.
I was watching this guy real carefully as he rolled up to the highway and stopped.
I'm coasting now eyeballing him trying to make eye contact.
Just at the point of no return he pulls out.
Now if the pavement were dry I might of been able to panic brake and stop.
With a wet road that thought quickly left my mind.
So I started to pull into the oncoming lane horn a squackin'.
Just as I was at the drivers door a car comes around the corner at me, not far off at all.
My first thought was that I could fit between the two cars as the oncoming one passed.
Unfortunately The oncoming car was going fast and was on the double yellow coming through the turn.
I jumped on the rear brake.
The ass end started coming around on my left.
I thought great I'm going to lay it down under an oncoming car, my daughter will hate me forever.
Decided that wasn't an option and got off the brake.
The rearend fishtailed back and forth four times and straightened out.
I pulled back into my lane in front of that asshole and kept on going.

I thought as I drove on, I should be much more angry, scared, cleaning my shorts, pulling over, something.
I just felt nothing.
Said a little prayer then so I guess I did feel something.
My next thought was of Choas and how he likes it squirrely.
Well you can have it my friend.
:wink:
Just goes to show even when you're looking for it you can be more cautious.
Everyone ride safe and look out for the cager.

 

Strange isn't it? happend to me once or twice.
Ran in a very uneasy situation, broke free of it without damage... and completely no hard feelings for who-ever...
just myself, saying "Damn, should have seen that coming"

At the "Point of no return" its often (okay, depends on the situation i know) better to give FULL throttle (even at wet pavement) it has sneaked me out of situation many times....

I'm always amazed how sharp a bike can turn on a wet road when driving in reflax...

 

Sounds like u did what u needed 2 do in the "moment".. I personally would have flagged down the piece of sh!t. That pulled out on u. N beat his ARSE..

But atleast u got 2 get "Squirrley".. :wink: :twisted: J/K

 

A biker somewhere suggested that everybody should have to ride a motorcycle for a summer to be made a bit more aware of them. Sounds like a good idea to me.

Seriously though, glad you reacted correctly and both you and your bike came through unharmed. But it can happen if you're in a car too, there are people out there who drive around in a fog.

mikeg

 

A wise old man once told me to remember when you ride you are invisible and that car drivers are out to hit you.........

Glad to hear you're OK

 

x2 Hillsy, thats GREAT advise.

PS Hound, if that rear brake skids/locks up ever again....take her to a complete stop.
That fish-tail was your BLESSING you didn't HIGHSIDE.

Glad to hear you AND your bike AND your pride are OK

 

Good work! If there's anything to beat yourself up over, it might be that given the wet situation and the sinking feeling the guy WAS going to pull in front of you, you might have been a little more aggressive/early with the horn and/or brakes.

But yeah, letting up on a locked back wheel can flip you off faster then you can blink. The situation seems a little less dire on wet pavement in my humble and limited experience, but is still spooky.

I've had both extremes of reaction to nearly getting pasted. When I cager pulled in front of me AND STOPPED broadside and stared at me, I was yelling at him the whole way home after. In other instances, I've executed a swerve, shaken my head in disbelief, and rolled on. My life goal is to lean more towards the latter reaction.

BTW, even in my Day-Glo dork suit, I constantly repeat my mantra; "I am invisible. They ARE out to get me."

Glad you're still with us to post about this.

 

Glad to hear you made it threw unscathed! When I'm approaching a vehicle that has the potential to run me down, I watch the closest tire to me. If it moves, I'm in trouble. Tires are easier to see than the intent in a cager's eyes.

It occurs to me that you identified the hazard even as the driver was backing away from the parking stall, but didn't plan your escape route until it was almost too late. SEE: Search, Evaluate, and Execute. Your Spidey Senses were screaming at you. Now you know what they sound like so next time you'll respond quicker to potential dangers.

 

From a new rider's perspective (less than a month still), I'll have to agree with that as well. I've noticed when I'm back in my car, I pay a lot more attention to the world around me than I did before I started riding. I've always been a good driver, and I truly feel that spending some time out of the cage on two wheels has helped make me a better, more observant driver when on four wheels.

 

A previous co-worker of mine lived in Mauritius, an island off Madagascar. There you can get a moped before a car and cars are often very expensive so they do. He told me he will never get on a moped/motorcycle again, but he will always look for them.

 

Step 1. Stop the bike

Step 2. Pull driver out of car

Step 3. Proceed to kich drivers ass!

 

Step 4. Go to jail and/or get sued for everything you and your children have.

 

WOW Hound glad your OK. Had a similar experience many years ago. Sure made me more careful

I like the invisible comment. I run a headlight modulator - don't care what the opinions are - I know it works...

 

I guess that's what I meant by "never be to careful".
You are right, listen to your senses, I had the feeling but didn't react as agressively as I should have.
Thanks all for the kind words.

 

Glad you are OK.... From an old rider, Isn't hind site just the greatest thing? No matter how much or how long you ride you are always going to get into those situations. I had some "yerk" female on a cell phone pull over on me as I was passing just last week, I nailed the brake and got out of her way. At least BSing on the Cell phone requires a Blue Tooth or other hands free device in CA as of today. But, you are right, you can never be too careful.......

 

Use the FRONT brake!!

When traction is questionable, the rear brake will lock up the rear wheel without much effort.