I almost died today...u?

Here's one for the "I need to kick my own ass" notebook.

I rode my bike to work today. I work in Cleveland, and there are the Cleveland Metroparks about 5min. away from work. Today, on lunch, I went out to ride and met another rider in the parking lot, asked him if he wanted to cruise, and we headed for the park.

As we entered the park, it was kind of boring, but about 5min. into it the twisties started. Problem: too much traffic traveling the same way we were. Remedy: pass traffic so we can fully enjoy twisties.

I passed all the cars on a straight stretch with no problems, with the exception of one vehicle. I was annoyed because the best turn of the bunch was coming up. Well, as I went to pass the last vehicle, he decided to speed up, causing me to be in the opposing lane going into the turn I wanted to ride thru. Then comes a minivan straight at me. I had to hit the gas and just in time I was able to switch back into my lane mid-turn, lean it enough to hit the footpeg, so as to avoid the gravel on the other side, and correct myself.

This is honestly the first time I have actually felt that I was gonna die. I kept my composure and did everythig right, thank GOD. This is just an example of how unpredictable most cagers are.

I learned two things today, or maybe re-learned.

1- Don't pass people even if you are CLOSE to a blind turn (duh)

2- Don't assume you know what a cager's gonna do.

The dude behind me said I looked like I was in total control the whole time, but I felt a BAD lowside coming. Anyway: If you have any "near-death" tales to tell, let's hear 'em. It'll be a good learning thread for newbies, and a great reminder to all of us "experienced" riders. (although I believe that we NEVER stop learning)

Help me out with this one. I think we'll all benefit.

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~Nick
2000 CBR600F4
Piped, Jetted, totally trick...
Keep the Rubber side down
my Bruthas AND Sistas!!!

[This message has been edited by CBR Brutha (edited June 20, 2000).]

Great topic man... There are some good topics
in this thread right now!! Wow!

First of all I'd like say that 1 out of
every, let's say, 5 rides something happens
that I feel I should have either thought
more about what I was doing, where I was
doing it or I should have done what I did at
all. Fortunatley I can't that VERY RECENTLY
I have anything that made my heart leave
my chest... It's has happened though, on the
R1 which means since March of 2000.

Yes, excellent call... Newbies need to know
about these things that more expirienced
riders allready know BUT the more expirienced
rider NEED the reminders b/c we start to
loose the safe atributes newbies have by the
nature of their newness... Intimidation...

On the street, and I say this as a reminder
to myself as well as others... Patience IS
a LIFE SAVING virtue...


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It's nice to have one of the biggest...

I have been riding since around 11 or 12 yrs. old. So...7 or 8 years (I'm 19...almost 20). I started quads earlier than that, but that was when I started on 2-wheeled motorized funmakers. I feel like a newbie when I hear of people riding for 15 - 20 years. I think that more important than years, is riding maturity, if there is such a thing.

It's kinda like drinking. In U.S., drinking age is 21. There are 50 yr. olds who should NOT be drinking, while there are 18yr. olds who I'm sure could be perfectly responsible drinkers. Same goes for biking. It's more the mindset and what you do with your experience than anything else.

Just my $.02

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~Nick
2000 CBR600F4
Piped, Jetted, totally trick...
Keep the Rubber side down
my Bruthas AND Sistas!!!

[This message has been edited by CBR Brutha (edited June 20, 2000).]

LOTS of near death/should be dead situations.

a few months ago.. we were out on a road that twists & turns next to an airbase. we went through it & back to get a feel.. then just like a bunch of horses we are off.. i get out in front & a 900rr is nippin at my heals.. we go through a set of s's fast & didnt brake for the up comin right after them.. WAY WIDE.. into the next lane.. thank god there were no cars but there were signs, a small ditch then a rocky hill. we both freak & let off the gas.. wider.. we both realize WHAT THE F*CK DID I JUST DO WE BOTH KNOW BETTER.. & get back on the gas & i (dont know about him) feather the rear brake to just make the corner (kind of ironic that i just read about that technique in sport rider a few days prior).. we slow down, stop at the designated spot & just look at each other & shake our heads.

lots of near cage stuff.. lots of stupid mistakes. but each close call either makes u a little better... ive noticed that my close calls are getting fewer & further between.

great fun for everyone.

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10 years ago a friend and I were coming home from hunting and came across a biker who had just rode off the road and high sided about 75 feet down a cliff.

We stopped and tried to provide first aid until paramedics arrived. This guy was major F'ed up,--- real bad.
That guy died in my arms that day, while waiting for the local volunteer fire dept. to show up. Over 30 mins.

I have seen several motorcycle accidents before, but this one hit me hard
I never even new his name. I imagine it would have been much worse on me if I did know him.

From that day on, I've had his image burned in my mind.

Now, whenever I have a close call because of not paying attention or pulling a stupid and I get that" holy sh*t that was close" feeling in my stomach. My fryed brain pops an image of John Doe and that's all it takes to get my happy ass back in check.
"Anybody know a good shrink?"
While his death was tragic and I wish it had never happened I know it's probably saved my life.---several times.
Our prayers go out to all our fallen riders. Here, Here


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Dave
94 fzr1000

"Party on Wayne"

[This message has been edited by ratsalad (edited June 20, 2000).]

I just had a chance to make a story last weekend. There is this great stretch of twisties by where I live in SoCal called Ortega Hwy. Well seeing as how I had just purchased a fullsuit w/kneesliders, I figured I'd try to put them to good use. Well the first time you drag your knee, its like "oh shit this feels weird." But as you get used to it, its like a drug and you can't get enough. End result, I kept pushing and pushing till my bike just said no more and one day the back end lost traction and slid out. Next thing I know, my bike disappears and I tumble thinking "dear god don't let me hit any jagged objects." Well god must have been listening because after crashing at 75mph through a 25mph corner into the side of a mountain, I was able to walk(more like a gimp-like stumble) away from it, only to view this half naked piece of twisted metal which used to be a beautiful 98F3. What did I learn from this? Don't ever forget to extend your kneeslider out to gauge how much clearance you have left, and don't ever take dunlop D204s completely out to the edge unless its a really really hot day because they don't give you any indication that they're about to give until they do. Bottom line, pray alot. Oh, and don't go faster than you or your bike can handle.

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little more lean, little more, little, oh shit.

[This message has been edited by IWalkNow (edited June 20, 2000).]