11-09-2020, 05:12 AM
I'm 70 and I've been riding since my mid-twenties. I've never had a accident, at least so far as I can remember
I try to minimize distractions, no extra gauges, no GPS, no cell phone holder, no maps on the tank, no music in my helmet. I'd even almost not have a tach. I have always have ridden very defensively, just like the old man I am now.
For the last twenty years, I've used a headlight modulator, and I can absolutely see the difference it makes. One of the most common problems is people turning onto the road ahead of you, as if you're not there. With the modulator, I see them doing double takes and hesitating. I use a taillight braking modulator too, although I cannot say how effective it is. I used to have two bright blue LEDs on the bolts holding the license plate on. My thought was that the red and blue lights would contrast, drawing attention from those following me. Indeed it did, as I was soon pulled over by a cop and told that blue lights of any kind on my bike were illegal. He was sympathetic, but firm. He said he knew what I was trying to do, but if he caught me with them again, he'd ticket me and maybe impound the bike.
My biggest fear lately is having to stop on the crest of a hill at an intersection. I then find myself trying to wrestle with a +500 pound bike which wants to roll backward and tip over at the same time, which is not as easy as it used to be.
Perhaps my bad day is coming, or perhaps not: "There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all."
I try to minimize distractions, no extra gauges, no GPS, no cell phone holder, no maps on the tank, no music in my helmet. I'd even almost not have a tach. I have always have ridden very defensively, just like the old man I am now.For the last twenty years, I've used a headlight modulator, and I can absolutely see the difference it makes. One of the most common problems is people turning onto the road ahead of you, as if you're not there. With the modulator, I see them doing double takes and hesitating. I use a taillight braking modulator too, although I cannot say how effective it is. I used to have two bright blue LEDs on the bolts holding the license plate on. My thought was that the red and blue lights would contrast, drawing attention from those following me. Indeed it did, as I was soon pulled over by a cop and told that blue lights of any kind on my bike were illegal. He was sympathetic, but firm. He said he knew what I was trying to do, but if he caught me with them again, he'd ticket me and maybe impound the bike.
My biggest fear lately is having to stop on the crest of a hill at an intersection. I then find myself trying to wrestle with a +500 pound bike which wants to roll backward and tip over at the same time, which is not as easy as it used to be.
Perhaps my bad day is coming, or perhaps not: "There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come—the readiness is all."