Had a bit of a fright whilst out for a ride this evening and it was down to another biker - not a cager as seems to be the most common case. Thought I'd share it with you all as it taught me a lesson which might benefit some others and maybe save somebodys skin. (UK roads remember)
Lovely summer evening, very little traffic, great riding conditions and I'm on a good road with some fantastic sweeping bends. About half way along a 1/4 mile straight and I'm doing the sweep thing (speedo/mirrors) that you're taught to do in training and I see the headlight of a bike has just entered way back the straight behind me and he's making speed.
Coming toward the end of the straight to a left hand bend and there's a car coming round the corner. I want to take up a position to "see round the corner" and to miss a rough patch (caused by the bad frost) that I know is in the middle of my lane.
I don't always do this, I admit, but I take a glance sideways before "drifting over", and am about to move out slightly, only to hear the roar and see the bike come up on my shoulder, a green kawasaki/red helmet; I'm level with the oncoming car now and what does the maniac do but overtake me on my side of the centre line at a ferocious speed! I'm below the speed limit 60mph but he has to be doin 90 and he was way down on his side as he took the corner.
I swear he was no more than a foot from me when he passed me. I hav'nt been that close to another bike even in a parking lot! If I had'nt looked before moving over, to take up a line through the bend, as you do, then both of us were dead.
You see I always thought it essential to do the lifesaver look when moving lanes/turning etc but never realized the importance of doing it in the course of normal riding. I do now. Maybe it's just part of learning.
There we were, just 3 vehicles on a road with no other traffic in sight and all three were put in deadly danger by one guy who is obviously a menace and brings infamy on the biking fraternity.
About 3 miles further on I see a green kawasaki and rider with red helmet chattin to his mates outside the petrol station. Must have been urgent business.
Perhaps I should have pulled over and told him about a rider who lost his head (literally) in an incident about 5 miles away from here, whilst executing a similar manoeuvre a few weeks ago. But I was still shaking and let it go....He'll get his - I just hope he does'nt take someone else with him.
Ride safe.
Lovely summer evening, very little traffic, great riding conditions and I'm on a good road with some fantastic sweeping bends. About half way along a 1/4 mile straight and I'm doing the sweep thing (speedo/mirrors) that you're taught to do in training and I see the headlight of a bike has just entered way back the straight behind me and he's making speed.
Coming toward the end of the straight to a left hand bend and there's a car coming round the corner. I want to take up a position to "see round the corner" and to miss a rough patch (caused by the bad frost) that I know is in the middle of my lane.
I don't always do this, I admit, but I take a glance sideways before "drifting over", and am about to move out slightly, only to hear the roar and see the bike come up on my shoulder, a green kawasaki/red helmet; I'm level with the oncoming car now and what does the maniac do but overtake me on my side of the centre line at a ferocious speed! I'm below the speed limit 60mph but he has to be doin 90 and he was way down on his side as he took the corner.
I swear he was no more than a foot from me when he passed me. I hav'nt been that close to another bike even in a parking lot! If I had'nt looked before moving over, to take up a line through the bend, as you do, then both of us were dead.
You see I always thought it essential to do the lifesaver look when moving lanes/turning etc but never realized the importance of doing it in the course of normal riding. I do now. Maybe it's just part of learning.
There we were, just 3 vehicles on a road with no other traffic in sight and all three were put in deadly danger by one guy who is obviously a menace and brings infamy on the biking fraternity.
About 3 miles further on I see a green kawasaki and rider with red helmet chattin to his mates outside the petrol station. Must have been urgent business.
Perhaps I should have pulled over and told him about a rider who lost his head (literally) in an incident about 5 miles away from here, whilst executing a similar manoeuvre a few weeks ago. But I was still shaking and let it go....He'll get his - I just hope he does'nt take someone else with him.
Ride safe.