Holy Almost Rear-Ended Batman!

[keithaba]

I had quite an oh **** moment this afternoon. Heading home after a ride with Jagermeister and his S.O., I came to my development, and slowed to make a left turn. There was a car ahead waiting to turn, so I didn't hit the brakes hard, just gradually slowed down. Blinker was on, brake lights work.

I usually check my mirrors once when slowing down, just because I'm paranoid, and that paranoia was reinforced today. I saw large vehicle approaching fast, but it is pretty difficult to assess speed in a rearview. Then I hear screaching. Now I had a second or two to reach, but there was another car turning ahead of me, there is no shoulder to the right, and oncoming traffic. Good thing there was some room between me and the car that was turning. I basically pulled up as close to him as I could and pulled onto the yellow center line.

The suburban screeched all the way and as I braced for impact with nowhere left to go, he stopped pretty much right next to me, with literally less than a foot between my mirror and his car. I was staring right at him! He waved apologetically and shook his head. The guy looked more terrified than I had time to feel. I was so happy to be alive, I couldn't even be mad.

 

[rushes]

I usually check my mirrors once when slowing down, just because I'm paranoid, and that paranoia was reinforced today.

Ride like they're all tryin' ta kill ya!

There's yur sign. Plan escape routes, watch your mirrors, Expect STUPIDITY!

And I like to reward good behavior. When someone doesn't pull out in front of you, WAVE! Thank you!

If yur ona 2 lane, and they motion you ta pass, WAVE! Thank you!

Any time I'm in a crowd of cars and everybody starts to slow down, I use hand signals.

And when the guy behind me slows down, I WAVE! "THANK YOU FOR NOT KILLIN' ME TODAY!"

Maybe, just maybe, we CAN change the world....

:dntknw:

It's a crazy world out there...

I'm gonna look inta what Ari's been readin'....

I need some inspiration....

Or mebbe another beer...

OK I'll be quiet now....

 

[AdrianNKY]

Sorry but you are banned from anymore crashes until 2010. No, you're not getting out it it, just get over it and move on and ride. No matter how much you want to, you don't get to crash again until 2010.

k, thx.

Nice quick thinkin there and grats on not getting pummeled.

 

[odot]

Too bad you weren't in kalifornia....you coulda sued the dude for raising your blood pressure.

 

[Jagermeister]

That would have been ironic. Survive 4 high speed crashes, only to get taken out by a Soccer Dad on his cell.

Seriously though, Glad you're OK. Everyone IS out to get us.

Tiffany and I had fun riding today; hope we didn't slow you down too much.

 

[Rob]

Should have taken you helmet off and put it through his side window. Then he would remember to watch out for bikes.

I had the same thing happen to me at Christmas. Heard the brakes lock up and I hit the gas and the shoulder. He hit the car in front of me. I made sure I stayed for the cops to show up and let them know he was going fast enough that I had to move out of his way or he would have plowed through 2 of us.

Joe Rocket riding gloves are great for windows too.

 

[Spook]

Should have taken you helmet off and put it through his side window. Then he would remember to watch out for bikes. I had the same thing happen to me at Christmas. Heard the brakes lock up and I hit the gas and the shoulder. He hit the car in front of me. I made sure I stayed for the cops to show up and let them know he was going fast enough that I had to move out of his way or he would have plowed through 2 of us.

Joe Rocket riding gloves are great for windows too.

I hope you know it is much easier for the cage driver to shoot through a broken window then a closed window. You do not win a fight with a cage.

 

[FZ/FJR Mike]

At least the cager was somewhat apologetic for almost running in to you. Most of 'em get mad at us as if we were at fault. We seem to have raised a generation of whiners with NO sense of personal responsibility. Glad you had the presence of mind to take evasive action.

 

[DE OPPRESSO LIBER]

Strong work there, Airborne! (Military kudos) Just installed my latest farkle last week, convex mirrors, so I can get a better view of what's behind me and lessen the blind spot for highway riding. Have been mentally reinforcing myself to check my six, these stories keep seeming to pop up here lately.