Every Have That Feeling?

[hppants]

While I'm generally a "Man Of Science", sometimes I just can't argue with faith, luck, hoo doo, voo doo, destiny, or anything else that empirical data can't prove or disprove. Yesterday, it must have been something in the "supermoon".

After lunch, I decided to take a short ride. Right out of the gate, it seemed like EVERYONE was out to kill me. Lane swevers, panic stoppers, side street creepers that I'm not sure see me, tailgaters, kids in a Nissan 350Z that wanted to see "what I got" (OK -that one was kind of fun), on coming turn in front of me'ers, approachers from behind at a stoplight coming way too fast - even a knucklehead in a parking lot that decided to reverse toward me (I need a louder horn - maybe one from a friggin SEMI-TRUCK!!!).

After about 50 miles, I decided I wasn't having much fun and went home.

Ya every have that ... feeling?

 

[Intech]

Sounds like a pretty normal day riding to me!

 

[gumba]

Pick your day (time of day). Yesterday I went to coffee early morning. Saw 7 cars in 100 miles. It's the only way to avoid that feeling.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I read somewhere that your instincts are reacting to input your conscious mind has not acknowledged. My dad has always told me to follow my gut, listen to your instincts. Of course your warning signs were very obvious, nothing subtle at all. While I don't agree with letting the stupidity of others dictate when I ride, if they piss me off enough that I can't enjoy my ride, I will cut it short. We all have those days, and on a bike you are more out there with the world, more in tune with everything around you. If you are not trapped within the confines of your vehicle chances are you will at some point "Have that feeling".

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Pick your day (time of day). Yesterday I went to coffee early morning. Saw 7 cars in 100 miles. It's the only way to avoid that feeling.

There is a difference though, I passed through Demin, NM a month ago and the # of vehicles there does not compare to his area. I had an excellent Mexican meal there, probably the best I had on my whole trip. Lafayette, Louisiana has a pretty large population and South Louisiana is not known for its great drivers.

 

[TheZsdad]

While I'm generally a "Man Of Science", sometimes I just can't argue with faith, luck, hoo doo, voo doo, destiny, or anything else that empirical data can't prove or disprove. Yesterday, it must have been something in the "supermoon".

After lunch, I decided to take a short ride. Right out of the gate, it seemed like EVERYONE was out to kill me. Lane swevers, panic stoppers, side street creepers that I'm not sure see me, tailgaters, kids in a Nissan 350Z that wanted to see "what I got" (OK -that one was kind of fun), on coming turn in front of me'ers, approachers from behind at a stoplight coming way too fast - even a knucklehead in a parking lot that decided to reverse toward me (I need a louder horn - maybe one from a friggin SEMI-TRUCK!!!).

After about 50 miles, I decided I wasn't having much fun and went home.

Ya every have that ... feeling?

Sounds like you got a reminder of rule #1 in Dave's MC riding guide, YOU ARE INVISIBLE.

 

[garyahouse]

HPPANTS:

Wow. Great post. We've ALL had days like that. We're just glad your not writing this post form a hospital bed. There are several things that work for me:

(1) First and foremost, I take a moment to ask the good Lord to watch out for me as I ride. With my driving skills, I need all the help I can get.

(2) I expect that stuff to happen as I ride, though I hope it doesn't. Expecting the worst keeps me alert. I see every other vehicle on the road, as dear old dad used to say, as... "an accident waiting to happen." My job is to MAKE sure it can't happen to me.

--this helps me a bunch, in that I don't get myself quite as upset when it happens because I expected it in the first place.

(3) Dad taught me, "always leave yourself an OUT, son." Can ya tell, dad was my hero?? But he was right. I try to ask myself, do I have a place to go if someone pulls something stupid when I don't expect it? And as you wisely pointed out, it sometimes happens multiple times in just one day.

... YOU ARE INVISIBLE.

The Zsdad,

Thanks for quoting that: That one statement says it all.

Pick your... time of day. Yesterday I went to coffee early morning. Saw 7 cars in 100 miles. It's the only way to avoid that feeling.

They got any houses for sale on your street? I can think of several guys on this forum that just got VERY interested.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[hppants]

All points well taken. I've ridden enough to know when to hedge my bets. A stanch believer in ATGATT, my jacket is hi-vis yellow, and my helmet is white. Time of day helps, but yesterday was different. I've ridden in high traffic situations before, but for some reason yesterday, things were real touchy. I started paying more attention to lane position, following distance, started using hand signals with my turn signals - you name it. Then I guess I started getting paranoid.

When you stop having fun, it's time to go home.