accidents - an unpleasant subject

[j3gq_imp]

The reason that most accidents are close to home is very simple : never mind how long or far you ride : there are ALWAYS the first miles/ten minutes when you leave home.

HI there,
I did not say, the first minutes from home, I said within the first three minutes after departure. And this is how the statistics were recorded. Leave home, count three minutes, stop for a burger and take off, again three minutes, stop at the train station ... I think there is more in this (focus, attention, etc.) than on which road I spend most of the time.

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."

1) I really like what you say above, Paris, I'd recommend it to any rider, any age. I have done the same all my life. And you know what, I "feel" that after 2, 3, 4 hours on the bike in spring, after the winter break, my driving a car gets better instantaneously. So your attitude, plus what sb said before, drive as if you were invisible, really makes a difference. Thank you!

2) Stopping on a hill? let me try to explain what I do, see if it makes sense and if you can use it. Before coming to that stop, I use the foot brake only. When the bike stops that foot remains on the brake. The bike is balanced with the left foot. If I need to role forward, a little gas and clutch, both feet stay where they were. If I need to role backwards, pull the clutch, release the foot brake a tiny bit, that's it. I can even turn the bike around on that hill/street, without any concern. (But this requires a longer description). I promise, you will NOT FEEL the weight.

Please let me know what you think!