Today only luck and temperament saved me from injury or death….

[James Burleigh]

Today only luck and temperament saved me, not experience, skill, or judgment.

I rely on experience, skill, and judgment for, say, 98% of the variables that keep me safe out there on a bike. That leaves only 2% reliance on luck and temperament (temperament being the mood I happen to be in that governs whether I ride mellow or aggressively).

As a result, nothing depresses me more when riding than recognizing that a situation occurred where it was thanks only to the 2% that I was not seriously injured or killed.

Such a scenario happened today when I ran out to get a replacement headlamp for Fang’s automobile. A car pulled a maneuver that I would never have anticipated, and but for luck and temperament, I would have been, well, pining for the fjords.

First of all, today my temperament was mellow: It’s Sunday, a holiday weekend, and the rush-hour mindset is not there for me or other drivers; so I was in a very mellow mood, and rode accordingly.

With reference to the figure below, I was riding in the right-hand lane shown as “B” in the figure. Ahead of me in the “A” lane was a slow-moving truck hauling a trailer with a big blue tarp; that driver was more mellow than I, judging by his speed. As we approached the intersection the light changed and Blue Tarp Man stopped. In front of Blue Tarp Man in “A” lane was another vehicle, also stopped at the light. I was still about 100 yards back approaching the signal when they stopped.

As I approach the light that I knew would change to green fairly fast, and with no vehicles ahead of me in my lane, I was debating in my mind whether to continue straight or to turn right at this intersection in order to get to my destination. Going right was more the back way, less traffic, more mellow. Going straight was okay too; but because the light was going to change quickly, and because my lane merged just on the other side of the intersection into their lane, I would probably have two slow vehicles ahead of me. And when you're on a motorcycle, no matter how mellow you're feeling, it's always better to have clear sailing ahead.

Straight or turn…?

I’m still slowing toward the intersection when the light changes to green, and I think, “Well, I’m on an FJR. I could drop it a gear and blow past these two guys in a heartbeat.”

So I drop it a gear, then quickly signal right, look over my right shoulder, and turn right.

That’s when I see it to my left as I'm turning: WTF!?

And my heart sinks, because I realize that because of a whim I just escaped a trip to the hospital, or the morgue.

Anyone wanna guess what happened that I had not anticipated in this scenario?

 

[bluesdog]

Car in front of Blue tarp decides to turn right?

 

[marcusorelius]

A plane lands in the intersection? Or blue tarp falls off revealing refrigerator under blue tarp?

 

[03silverbullet]

The guy in the oncomming lane turned left and if you were going straight, you would of crashed into him?

 

[James Burleigh]

Car in front of Blue tarp decides to turn right?

This would certainly have been a problem, but probably not fatal.

 

[James Burleigh]

The guy in the oncomming lane turned left and if you were going straight, you would of crashed into him?

We have a winner!

Here in the Bay Area most left turns are now "protected," meaning turn only permitted on separate green arrow cycle.

This scenario would have bit me in the hiney for three reasons:

1. Without even thinking about it, I presumed this intersection was a protected left-turn intersection.

2. Partly because of no. 1, I did not anticipate that a car would seize the right-of-way and jump out in front of the oncoming traffic. (After all, this isn't Massachusetts.)

3. From my position with two cars ahead of me to my left, I could not even see that there was a car waiting to turn left across our path.

So if I had gunned it into the intersection, I would have T-boned into the side of that left-turning car (a left-turn accident: how cliche).

Try as I might, I can't "talk myself out of" getting in this accident had I decided to go straight.....

And what really gripes my a** is that this is not at all an uncommone scenario. Well, here's more evidence that you're not as smart as you think, so keep working on those skills, both traffic strategic and bike operational.

 

[marcusorelius]

1. Without even thinking about it, I presumed

Always presume all vehicles will do the stupidest thing possible!

 

[wnyfjr]

A car pulled a maneuver that I would never have anticipated, and but for luck and temperament, I would have been, well, pining for the fjords.

It's not often that someone finds a way to work the parrot sketch into everday conversation...Nicely done! And whether it's the luck or the skill, avoiding the crunch is still a very good thing.

 

[bluesdog]

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition...

Yeah, to borrow another phrase from across the pond, you'd have been a SMIDSY victim -- 'Sorry Mate, I Didn't See You'

Just remember: 1% are actively trying to kill you, because they hate motorcyclists. The other 99% just don't see you.

Take care out there, bro!

Or it could have been similar to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AOl6le-Dkg

 

[Daniel78362]

Hey James,

Good you're all right, good you turned right. I hope this does not sound too callous, but dont waist a lot time on the big "What If". Wherther a random serendipitous event or that little voice in the back of you head that says "not today", you didn't go straight, you turned. I would like to think that you being an experienced FJR Pilot, listened to that voice. in any case there is a lesson to be lerned here........

Back in the late 80's i was on a bicycle ride through the Santa Barbara area. I was making a loop north along the coast through UCSB and Isla Vista then south through the foot hills. It was August before classes started so pedestrian traffic was very light through UCSB and Isla Vista. I was riding through Isla Vista at a good pace, day dreaming along the way (girls). As I approached an intersection with a 2 way stop for cross traffic the voice in the back of my head started telling me "look out look out". I scanned ahead and fixated on a red Corvette to my right that looked like it was going to run the stop. I started to cover the brakes when the driver saw me and made a complete stop. I stood on the on pedals to accelerate through the intersection..............now did you catch that? "I scanned ahead and fixated". I blasted through about 3/4's of the intersection when BANG, POW, out of the corner of my eye I saw my front wheel go flying one way my frame and rear another as I made a pretty little arc landing 15 feet away on the side walk, no helmet. All the time the little voice was still talking to me. I landed in a tuck and roll fashion managing not to hit my head. The only injury i sustained was a 11/2" creasent shape deep laceration to my left thigh. Well I was so busy fixated on the Vett that I didnt read the rest of the traffic. I never saw the motorcycle behind a car, the car traveling opposite direction, the motorcycle didnt see me and turned left in front of me. ..........The lesson to be learned here?

.......Just like a Fart, never, never, ever, trust a blind intersection.

Seriously, I've worked as an EMT for the past 12 years in a 911 system, responded to countless calls, just between you and me, intersections , city or county, can really ratchet up the pucker factor, always approach with care.

That little voice in your head can see things we dont see with our eyes, always keep him well fed and always listen.

Be Good, Be Safe,

Daniel

 

[puppychow]

Told ya not to ride with moto cops! You never listen!

 

[James Burleigh]

Told ya not to ride with moto cops! You never listen!

I know it. Time I started listening to my friends....

 

[James Burleigh]

Hey James,Good you're all right, good you turned right. I hope this does not sound too callous, but dont waist a lot time on the big "What If". Wherther a random serendipitous event or that little voice in the back of you head that says "not today", you didn't go straight, you turned. I would like to think that you being an experienced FJR Pilot, listened to that voice. in any case there is a lesson to be lerned here........

Back in the late 80's i was on a bicycle ride through the Santa Barbara area. I was making a loop north along the coast through UCSB and Isla Vista then south through the foot hills. It was August before classes started so pedestrian traffic was very light through UCSB and Isla Vista. I was riding through Isla Vista at a good pace, day dreaming along the way (girls). As I approached an intersection with a 2 way stop for cross traffic the voice in the back of my head started telling me "look out look out". I scanned ahead and fixated on a red Corvette to my right that looked like it was going to run the stop. I started to cover the brakes when the driver saw me and made a complete stop. I stood on the on pedals to accelerate through the intersection..............now did you catch that? "I scanned ahead and fixated". I blasted through about 3/4's of the intersection when BANG, POW, out of the corner of my eye I saw my front wheel go flying one way my frame and rear another as I made a pretty little arc landing 15 feet away on the side walk, no helmet. All the time the little voice was still talking to me. I landed in a tuck and roll fashion managing not to hit my head. The only injury i sustained was a 11/2" creasent shape deep laceration to my left thigh. Well I was so busy fixated on the Vett that I didnt read the rest of the traffic. I never saw the motorcycle behind a car, the car traveling opposite direction, the motorcycle didnt see me and turned left in front of me. ..........The lesson to be learned here?

.......Just like a Fart, never, never, ever, trust a blind intersection.

Seriously, I've worked as an EMT for the past 12 years in a 911 system, responded to countless calls, just between you and me, intersections , city or county, can really ratchet up the pucker factor, always approach with care.

That little voice in your head can see things we dont see with our eyes, always keep him well fed and always listen.

Be Good, Be Safe,

Daniel

Thanks, Daniel. I needed that. And what you distilled it all down to is what I've figured out as the lesson learned: Don't be throttling the goose in intersections. It's funny, but it's such a cliche about motorcycle safety advice, but "just slow down" sure seems to be the best prophylactic to bad juju.

 

[Tyler]

"just slow down" sure seems to be the best prophylactic to bad juju.

Yup.

Glad you're okay, Hans...

 

[mcatrophy]

We've all had the odd lucky break.

As usual, learn the lesson. You'll not do that again.

Make it 98.5% experience, skill, and judgment next time.

And thanks for your post, you may well have saved the life of someone who reads it.

 

[gray ray]

I was riding down a country road in Southeastern Ohio. The speed limit was 55, I was doing about 70. I'm comming up on a intersection that has stop signs for all cross traffic. Nothing at all unusual about the intersection, I go thru hundreds of these rural intersections every time I'm out riding. Tall trees to my left, open farm land to my right. Small red car, from the left, completely blows the stop sign at a high rate of speed. I never had a chance to hit the brakes, no evasive action taken. Just missed the back of the car by inches.

I stopped the bike, took off my helmet, uncontrollable shaking. I got back on the bike and headed straight for home.

And just like you, every time I recall this incident, I ask myself the same question. "Why am I still alive?"

 

[El Toro Joe]

And just like you, every time I recall this incident, I ask myself the same question. "Why am I still alive?"

Probably just because your a good guy, you old fart.

 

[kaitsdad]

Glad you're still with us, Hans !

 

[Bounce]

And here I was going to guess that a small point of light appeared in the intersection; quickly expanding into a large sphere of crackling energy, that consumed about a 3 meter wide and 1 meter deep crater of tarmac... leaving behind a hulkish naked man when it dispersed.

DAMMIT!