A Parking Lot Lecture At Wally World

[TheAxeman]

I stopped by Walmart yesterday to see if they had the ATV seat cover for my KLR that Jim (SPKLBUK) had told me about. As I was getting back on the bike I realized I was being stared at by an old lady standing outside her car a couple of spots away. Suddenly she starts screaming at me "GET RID OF IT!". Looking around thinking she was talking to someone else I kept gearing up. Then again, "GET RID OF IT!"....I said "Excuse me??". She shouted to me that her son had two of them "Harley Davids" and in July he was killed by a woman who T-boned him while she was talking on a cell phone. As she was walking away she once again screamed "GET RID OF IT!" without even glancing back. Food for thought on the way home.

 

[taterides]

Kinda strange and sad all at the same time. Talk about make you nervous on the way home. Its the fun and risk that makes us love it. Too bad her son paid the price.

 

[v65]

I got the same thing from wife's side of the family; they felt the need to let me know everytime a cyclist got killed. I've never listened well, don't intend to start now. Ride safe.

 

[Geezer]

As sad as this is, you don't get this response when people get killed in car accidents. I guess people think of cars as more of a necessity rather than a choice.

 

[BrunDog]

As sad as this is, you don't get this response when people get killed in car accidents. I guess people think of cars as more of a necessity rather than a choice.

True, but the hard reality is this sport is not a safe one. Per mile driven, you are 26 times more likely to be killed on a bike than a car (NHTSA).

We have to do everything possible to stack the odds in our favor. If it means bright lights, loud horns, and sweating your *** off in an armored suit, so be it!

-BD

 

[TriggerT]

Not that she would have listened, she was obviously beyond that, but maybe we should all get rid of cell phones. Seems to me that it was more the cause of the accident than her sons motorcycle. Who's to say if he was in a car he wouldn't still be dead.

 

[odot]

As sad as this is, you don't get this response when people get killed in car accidents. I guess people think of cars as more of a necessity rather than a choice.

True, but the hard reality is this sport is not a safe one. Per mile driven, you are 26 times more likely to be killed on a bike than a car (NHTSA).

We have to do everything possible to stack the odds in our favor. If it means bright lights, loud horns, and sweating your *** off in an armored suit, so be it!

-BD

....and loud pipes.

 

[Scab]

You know, taking into account the shared genetic material, it may not have been the bike accident that killed him at all. Could have been terminal rudeness. :blink:

 

[.paul]

Hurm...I had a different conversation with an old lady in a parking lot:

Her: Wow, that's a beautiful bike - georgous color

Me: Gee, thanks. I appreciate it.

Her: What do you do when it rains?

Me: Put on a rain suit and keep riding

Her: *Confused*

 

[Toecutter]

If it means bright lights, loud horns, and sweating your *** off in an armored suit, so be it!

....and loud pipes.

Well, I never was much of a singer, but I've got the other bases covered.

 

[uctofeej]

Not that she would have listened, she was obviously beyond that, but maybe we should all get rid of cell phones. Seems to me that it was more the cause of the accident than her sons motorcycle. Who's to say if he was in a car he wouldn't still be dead.

Gunny! Does she tell people yapping on the phone to "get rid of it?"

 

[wpbfjr]

honda civics are the number one killer* of teenage girls...

*unscientific study during my 20 years as a firefighter/paramedic...

dana

 

[otrfjr]

Did you ask her to make you an offer?

 

[Silver Penguin]

I stopped by Walmart yesterday to see if they had the ATV seat cover for my KLR that Jim (SPKLBUK) had told me about. As I was getting back on the bike I realized I was being stared at by an old lady standing outside her car a couple of spots away. Suddenly she starts screaming at me "GET RID OF IT!". Looking around thinking she was talking to someone else I kept gearing up. Then again, "GET RID OF IT!"....I said "Excuse me??". She shouted to me that her son had two of them "Harley Davids" and in July he was killed by a woman who T-boned him while she was talking on a cell phone. As she was walking away she once again screamed "GET RID OF IT!" without even glancing back. Food for thought on the way home.

Not the time or place to suggest getting rid of the cell phone, or the attitude that makes it OK to drive a vehicle without paying attention. Nor would it help to point out that you're safer in a parking lot on a bike, than on foot.

The old lady must be hurting bad, to say that to a complete stranger. I'm sorry for her sad, and unecessary loss.

Jill

 

[RonBB]

The old lady must be hurting bad, to say that to a complete stranger. I'm sorry for her sad, and unecessary loss

Concur! As they used to say, "Be careful out there". Ride safe.

 

[FJRMGM]

no use trying to reason with the mother of a son that has been killed while riding a motorcycle..

Ride safe.

 

[Bob Hughes]

"As she walked from her confrontation with the biker she lit a cigarette and headed to Walmart for some of that great fried chicken and a twelve pack of Coors."

Sorry for the loss but you manage your risk and I will manage mine.

 

[evil_henchman]

Never make eye contact or otherwise engage anybody at Walmart... :blink:

 

[Rogue]

I was once told that more people die at home in the tub than anywhere else, So I no longer wash myself!