[Panthera]

We talk on here a lot about riding with caution, and watching out for idiots. I had a close call the other night, based on that very thing.

I had to run into town as my wife forgot cat food. Any excuse to take the bike for a spin is good. I was about a mile from the house, traveling a bit less than the speed limit as it was dusk, and the deer tend to come out then. On a side road I saw a Linc. Town car come to a stop, and as I am only about 150 feet from the intersection, it starts to pull out.

I have three headlights on the front of my bike, there is no way someone could not see it. It was dusk, but the sunset was in the other direction. It was an older man, though, and probably needs an eye exam.

I braked as hard as I dared, and chose to head for the ditch rather than try to pass on the left, which is fortunate, as he pulled out very slow. The back tire was locking up a bit, right on the edge of full lockup, and I managed to stop on the edge of the road, right along side the guys rear quarter panel.

I don't think he even realized how close he came to taking me out. I have developed over the years a habit of when I see anything, cars on side streets, left turn signals, slow drivers who look like they do not know where they are going, of slowing down immediately. It is a good habit.

[mwelych]

Glad you made it dude. It sucks when we are the target. I had a close call a few years ago too. ALso I remember being in a cage and as I came to the intersection I looked left and right. Before I pulled out I looked left again and I freaked. There was a bike no more than 50 feet away. Didn't see him the ifrst time. Glad I looked a second time. I have become a better cage driver since that time...

[05glide]

Glad to hear you were alert and avoided what could have been a tragic situation. In the past two months there has been at least one motorcycle accident a week in my area. Two resulted in fatalities. Thanks for sharing your close call and reminding us to stay alert and be ready to react. By the way how do you feel about that CAT now Maybe you have 9 lives too either way, glad you avoided the cager

[Panthera]

Originally Posted by mwelych

Glad you made it dude. It sucks when we are the target. I had a close call a few years ago too. ALso I remember being in a cage and as I came to the intersection I looked left and right. Before I pulled out I looked left again and I freaked. There was a bike no more than 50 feet away. Didn't see him the ifrst time. Glad I looked a second time. I have become a better cage driver since that time...

I think if everyone had to ride a cycle for 6 months before getting a license, a lot of drivers would be more aware.

[Red Rider]

Good advice, good story, good result. I'll add that I often worry that my King's 3-headlight setup confuses drivers, and usually go with the single beam in urban/suburban riding.

[Ashley]

They would either be more aware or dead. In the case of some of the idiots I saw today, dead might be better, and hey the roads would be less busy.

[chucktx]

wow, glad all came out ok.......thanks for the story, it helps to keep reminding us how vulnerable we are!!!!!!