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+--- Thread: Stay Alert (/showthread.php?tid=3347)
Stay Alert - Guth_imp - 10-08-2014
I don't enjoy making posts such as this one. You guys have probably noticed that I don't post here during the weekdays while I'm at work. But today I had an exceptionally close call and just wanted to remind everyone to stay alert out there.
On my commute to work this morning I was headed into an intersection and I had the green light. There were cars stopped in both directions at the red light on the crossing street. Out of the blue, the car to my right decides to blow the light and cross — right in front of me. I hit the brakes hard and fortunately they did an amazing job of hauling the bike down to a quick stop. Luckily there was plenty of room between me and the car behind me.
There were witnesses screaming at the woman driving the car, and I probably could have chased her down and obtained a license plate number but frankly I was a bit dazed at that point and just wanted to move along rather than continue to be a sitting duck in the middle of the street.
So whether you're just out riding for pleasure or commuting like me, take note and take care.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
RE: Stay Alert - Pterodactyl_imp - 10-08-2014
Good advice Guth. Glad you were not injured. Despite ones best efforts, buffering, staying alert, speed to suit condition etc., there comes a point where, being committed to a course of action, it is difficult to deal with random acts of idiocy and random acts of nature. It is the former that induces a gut feeling of disbelief and, often, rage. Keeping the rage under control is difficult and I commend you for it.
Cheers everyone.
RE: Stay Alert - HikerToo_imp - 10-08-2014
Although close calls can happen anytime/anywhere, I don't typically ride to work during rush hour, too scary for me, I do sometimes drive home at lunch and switch to my CB, than take the back way home through "DuPont country.
RE: Stay Alert - DGShannon_imp - 10-08-2014
(10-08-2014, 05:06 AM)HikerToo_imp Wrote: Although close calls can happen anytime/anywhere, I don't typically ride to work during rush hour, too scary for me, I do sometimes drive home at lunch and switch to my CB, than take the back way home through "DuPont country.
Same here. I feel for the guys who have to do the daily commute on a bike. Thank the Lord I am blessed with 4 wheels, as well, and can choose that extra protection. Bikes for me are weekend toys, and that is dangerous enough. All boils down to risk versus reward, and the risk of a daily commute in crazy Houston traffic far outweighs any reward.
Stay Alert - Cormanus - 10-08-2014
Wise words, Guth. Glad to hear you're OK.
Had a close call. Us elf yesterday, entirely self induced. I was tired and needing a stop, but trying to push onto the place I wanted to get fuel. At some lights I decided to change lanes to get the jump on the cars ahead of me and failed to note the large van pulling alongside. Luckily, he was far enough along that I caught a glimpse in time to avoid him. Lack of attention on my part. Stupid.
Please stay safe everyone.
RE: Stay Alert - Insolentsquid_imp - 10-08-2014
As my old bike trainer used to say..."ride like every other bugger on the road is out to kill you" and some days it feels like he's spot on.
My close(st) shave came on my beloved first bike, a battered but lively VF500 on a roundabout.
I was on the roundabout intending to go straight across, and to my left, waiting to enter the roundabout was an elderly gent and his wife on a Sunday afternoon drive, and yes, he had a flat cloth cap on (Brit stereotype).
In best defensive riding mode, I made eye contact with him to be sure he'd seen me, and just as I'm straightening up, yes, he pulls out in front of me.
You've heard the expression 'time slowed down' and it really did.
I cranked the bike hard over, and distinctly remember my brain coolly working out that I was going to hit the driver's door (and serve the daft old git right if I ended up in his lap), then I cranked the bike even further over, and again my brain's moving the point of impact, past the 'A' pillar, onto the front wing (at which point it's telling me to stand up just before impact so as to have a chance of going over and skipping down the road beyond)
I'd like to say I missed him by a whisker, but I can't as I distinctly remember some part of my bike made contact with some part of his car, and then I was past, still upright.
He drove on, and I pulled over.
The irrational, non-calculating part of my brain is now screaming "get after him and ....show him the error of his ways..ahem". But I was just so glad to be still in one piece that I just sat there with a stupid grin on my face.
RE: Stay Alert - Pauley - 10-08-2014
Glad you're safe Guth.
Good to have those "ride like they can't see you" and "ride like they're trying to kill you" mantras reinforced once in a while.
RE: Stay Alert - the Ferret - 10-08-2014
whoeee, glad you're ok boss!
RE: Stay Alert - inline4fan_imp - 10-08-2014
That was close.Glad you came through o.k.
RE: Stay Alert - Offroad - 10-08-2014
Glad you dodged that bullet!