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Yesterday was interesting. I had new Bridgestone S11's put on the bike in the morning. Coming from the oversized cheap tires that were on there, it is a new bike! They are stickier, lighter to spin up, and have added much needed braking traction, (that comes into play later.)
I left work at about 6 yesterday night on the bike. I have been really trying to hit the basics after not riding for some years. Things like flowing through corners, smooth shifting techniques, and general riding skills. With the old tires, I could brake pretty hard. The front end dives pretty bad, (springs are on the winter project list,) but other than that it's not a big thing. I mountain bike as much as I can, and handling and braking skills transfer easily to motorbiking. After the new tires were on, rode some easy corners to break them in a bit. I rode about 30 miles and was coming home on a local 4 lane highway. It's 55mph, and generally pretty low traffic. As I passed the local Evil Cub store, (big box supermarket,) a lady was merging onto the road along side me. There was no traffic behind her or I. As she started to merge, no signal light. As she entered the right lane, no turning of the head. I was already covering the brakes, and started to back off a bit. Without warning or signal, she swerves very quickly into my lane. I hit the brakes hard, as I've been practicing, and the tires gripped remarkably well. I had time to get out of the way, but it still happened very quickly. Had I not been watching her anticipating an action like this, she would have plowed right into me. After I had established that I had safely cleared her path, I hit the horn hard. She then whirled her head around, slammed on her brakes, (almost causing me to hit her a second time,) and just looked terrified. She had to be about 55 or so, and looked shocked and then mad at me as I passed. Like I had anything to do with it!! I shrugged my shoulders at her and went by.
I was a bit shaken up, even though I was ready for it. I saw that she pulled into the local ice rink and I thought about talking to her about it. Nicely of course. With a second glance I thought better of it. If after driving for that long she doesn't practice good driving habits, I wasn't going to change her.
So yeah, I'm apparently not allowed to post on the "Safe Riding Tips," thread yet, but here's another reminder to practice stopping and be aware. They are all trying to kill you. Cheers,
Ben.
I left work at about 6 yesterday night on the bike. I have been really trying to hit the basics after not riding for some years. Things like flowing through corners, smooth shifting techniques, and general riding skills. With the old tires, I could brake pretty hard. The front end dives pretty bad, (springs are on the winter project list,) but other than that it's not a big thing. I mountain bike as much as I can, and handling and braking skills transfer easily to motorbiking. After the new tires were on, rode some easy corners to break them in a bit. I rode about 30 miles and was coming home on a local 4 lane highway. It's 55mph, and generally pretty low traffic. As I passed the local Evil Cub store, (big box supermarket,) a lady was merging onto the road along side me. There was no traffic behind her or I. As she started to merge, no signal light. As she entered the right lane, no turning of the head. I was already covering the brakes, and started to back off a bit. Without warning or signal, she swerves very quickly into my lane. I hit the brakes hard, as I've been practicing, and the tires gripped remarkably well. I had time to get out of the way, but it still happened very quickly. Had I not been watching her anticipating an action like this, she would have plowed right into me. After I had established that I had safely cleared her path, I hit the horn hard. She then whirled her head around, slammed on her brakes, (almost causing me to hit her a second time,) and just looked terrified. She had to be about 55 or so, and looked shocked and then mad at me as I passed. Like I had anything to do with it!! I shrugged my shoulders at her and went by.
I was a bit shaken up, even though I was ready for it. I saw that she pulled into the local ice rink and I thought about talking to her about it. Nicely of course. With a second glance I thought better of it. If after driving for that long she doesn't practice good driving habits, I wasn't going to change her.
So yeah, I'm apparently not allowed to post on the "Safe Riding Tips," thread yet, but here's another reminder to practice stopping and be aware. They are all trying to kill you. Cheers,
Ben.
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. I expected the moderator in training, Mr. Gnaht to inform of your serious transgression, but he must be secretly enjoying the geek hi-jack process.
/...though not for you, if you are the type accustomed to a quick 'goodbye' toot every time you leave the driveway.....the neighbors might not be amused 8-[.
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