Doobage
03-07-2007, 04:58 PM
Actually I've been trying to come in here and write for awhile, so I'm here.
The last 6 weeks in Houston has made for interesting riding weather. 6 weeks ago there was about 3 weeks of solid rain, near freezing temps, really bad road conditions - but oddly enough, no close calls on the bike whatsoever. But now that the weather is optimal riding conditions, I'm having about 3 near misses a day for the last week.
Today started with someone that must have been really important - first they were talking on their cell phone for what I'm sure was a critical phone call and second, they must have been needed for a photo-shoot, because she was applying her make-up. I made the mistake of sharing the road with her and she nearly missed hitting me three times. Granted, we were doing 20 mph hour, so I could see how her reaction time could easily be skewed. (Was that enough sarcasm?)
Then on the way home I had one car that decided he wanted to improve his gas mileage by trying to meld with my bike. He got his mistake about the time I was on the center line between traffic.
Thinking that I had not that much traffic left in my commute, I pull into an S curve and I'm riding along side a large F250. Out of nowhere a mini-van swerves across both lanes in front of us and hasn't decided which lane fits her needs best so decides to take both. I'm in a mild turn doing about 45 and had to lock up my rear tire (yes, I have the first model and without ABS). The slide only lasted a very short duration (a combo between downshifting and braking) and I didn't even get a bobble of steering correction. I fully didn't expect such a smooth result since it was my first ST rear tire slide. Needless to say, she got the full brunt of my ferocious horn (I think I saw the truck driver beside me laughing after I honked) and then I glared at her, which I'm sure is going to ruin her sleep tonight (not!).
I hate to say it, but I'd almost rather have the bad weather!
The last 6 weeks in Houston has made for interesting riding weather. 6 weeks ago there was about 3 weeks of solid rain, near freezing temps, really bad road conditions - but oddly enough, no close calls on the bike whatsoever. But now that the weather is optimal riding conditions, I'm having about 3 near misses a day for the last week.
Today started with someone that must have been really important - first they were talking on their cell phone for what I'm sure was a critical phone call and second, they must have been needed for a photo-shoot, because she was applying her make-up. I made the mistake of sharing the road with her and she nearly missed hitting me three times. Granted, we were doing 20 mph hour, so I could see how her reaction time could easily be skewed. (Was that enough sarcasm?)
Then on the way home I had one car that decided he wanted to improve his gas mileage by trying to meld with my bike. He got his mistake about the time I was on the center line between traffic.
Thinking that I had not that much traffic left in my commute, I pull into an S curve and I'm riding along side a large F250. Out of nowhere a mini-van swerves across both lanes in front of us and hasn't decided which lane fits her needs best so decides to take both. I'm in a mild turn doing about 45 and had to lock up my rear tire (yes, I have the first model and without ABS). The slide only lasted a very short duration (a combo between downshifting and braking) and I didn't even get a bobble of steering correction. I fully didn't expect such a smooth result since it was my first ST rear tire slide. Needless to say, she got the full brunt of my ferocious horn (I think I saw the truck driver beside me laughing after I honked) and then I glared at her, which I'm sure is going to ruin her sleep tonight (not!).
I hate to say it, but I'd almost rather have the bad weather!