08-01-2018, 05:32 AM
(08-01-2018, 01:12 AM)rickcb_imp Wrote: On Sunday Jennifer and I were on one of our favorite roads and I saw fresh, narrow tar snakes. The first corner is marked 35 mph and we normally take it at 50 mph. I felt the rear of my CB1100 dance a bit as we approached the corner and thankfully we slowed down to about 35 and I went through the corner OK. But Jennifer wasn't so lucky. I had the terrible view in my mirror of her going off the road on her CBR500R. She said she slipped sideways about a foot before getting some traction and did some braking, but then ended up off the road (upright, not crashed). There was no shoulder, but thankfully there wasn't a big ditch or drop-off, just grass. Later in the ride we encountered another road that is really tricky also just covered with fresh tar snakes. For about 5 miles we irritated the locals queued up behind us because I was riding 45 mph or slower in the corners until we got off that mess. I'm going to think about it for a few more days, but may put the new bikes up for sale. Seeing Wifeums off the road was pretty traumatic.
Watching someone you love leave the road on a bike would definitely be traumatic Rick. I'm not sure that the memory ever leaves. A bunch of years ago I had a very serious motorcycle accident that almost cost me my life, and did cost me 6 months in a wheelchair. Still, I continue to ride, albeit more carefully. The thought of that wreck is with me whenever I ride, along with the realization that this activity I have engaged in for 50 years (started at 10 on dirt bikes) requires that I accept some risk, even if I am being very careful. Riding is a decision I make for myself. I can see it would be much harder after seeing someone you love have a close call. No easy answers on this one.
Jeff