Last night, hustling out of town in the Corolla to a Derek Trucks Band concert two hours away (Trucks does not suck), we're on I-90 in the left lane about 75 mph, a truck ahead of me in my lane. We are overtaking another truck up ahead in the right lane that has an extension ladder strapped from the roof over the tailgate. This is the exact kind of thing that ALWAYS gets my attention when I'm aboard a two-wheeler. I'm watching that ladder and the goddamned thing starts to slide down, off and over the tailgate and lands on the highway, spinning in circles as it decelerates. The truck in front of me makes a successful dodge and near miss, we also weave around it. My wife says, "I didn't see it till it was on the pavement spinning." I said, "I saw it before it came loose, saw it slide, fall and hit. That is my 'motorcycle eye' always looking for hazards and trouble and even for the potential of it." I realized, again, how much my learned motorcycle awareness and defensiveness helps me in ALL driving situations. I think most serious riders are better cage drivers as a result of this always heightened consciousness.
Just an observation...
But I am sure glad the ladder fell flat and spun, rather than catching the pavement and cartwheeling. Could have been looking at the thing coming through the windshield. We all must be better at securing loads. Last weekend on U.S. 12 in Idaho I noticed a spade lying in the other lane. Since I hit a good sized rock and bent both wheels a couple of years ago, my wife and I now routinely stop (when safe) and remove hazardous debris from the roadway while touring - rocks, boards, whatever; a good practice, I think.
Just an observation...
But I am sure glad the ladder fell flat and spun, rather than catching the pavement and cartwheeling. Could have been looking at the thing coming through the windshield. We all must be better at securing loads. Last weekend on U.S. 12 in Idaho I noticed a spade lying in the other lane. Since I hit a good sized rock and bent both wheels a couple of years ago, my wife and I now routinely stop (when safe) and remove hazardous debris from the roadway while touring - rocks, boards, whatever; a good practice, I think.
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