Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Almost bought the Farm

Returning from work today. Rounding a long, blind (did I mention BLIND) 90 deg, sweeping bend with my mind somewhere other than where it should have been Start in uphill at about 50. Maintaining speed to the apex. Grade now downhill. Right lane blocked by a phone crew. Line of cars stopped directly in front. Oncoming traffic approaching in the left. Binders on near full. Rear tire locked just to the point of a faint but ominous squeal. Out of body experience beginning to develop. Eyes searching for an out. See faint daylight between stopped and oncoming traffic. Gained composure. Got stopped along side and between the last and next to last car. My butt is still puckered and I imagine the flagman, who stood no more than 10 feet in front with nowhere to bail, has either crapped himself or won’t for a week or two. AND IT WAS ALL MY FAULT. I say this because it happens soooo dammmmed fast and the outcome can be so much different. BE CAREFUL BOYS AND GIRLS. The life you save may be your own (and perhaps an unsuspecting flagman.)

Well...first of all I am happy that you are alive and in one piece. We have all been scared shitless at least once. And for those who haven't you will. And when you do you instantly become a more intune rider. Take care. Good story. Good ending.

Had darn near the same experience, although not SO dramatic about a week ago on the way home. Mind not where it should have been so I kind of snapped out of la-la land to see the line of traffic ahead of me stopped, and grabbed some serious front brake, JUST as my front tire crossed the steel expansion joint on the end of a concrete bridge. Well, it locked on the steel of course, and immediately made the weirdest loudest BARK I've ever heard when it hit concrete, and began to grab! Sure as ****** got my attention YESTERDAY and I was wondering for a second how hard I was going to hit the car in front of me! And yep, I payed MUCH more attention to my surroundings the rest of the way home!

I still think about the deer that almost, almost made a long day for me on the Skyline last year. There wouldn't have been an out, and I might have taken Chy and Gordon with me.

Ride Safe!

Barry, glad you're ok.

Got that right ... If he hadn't changed his mind, we would have been in a pile for sure.

Glad you are fine, sounds like you managed to apply some good braking technique and you should be quite happy about that.

I convinced it was purely LUCKY braking technique Chy. Everthing I did was wrong up until I found the hole - and that could have been disasterous, too. Too fast, unattentive, to hard on the rear brake (but only by a little). Even with the slightest rear lock-up - Well, you know how squirrely they can get. I have no idea how it righted itself without the terrible 'wiggle of death'. Its nearly 4 hours later and I can still see the arse-end of that big white car. If there's an up side, I figure I just passed a self induced stress test.

Glad everything turned out no-harm, no-foul Barry,

I'm not always the best safety guru, but if I have the scenerio correct, you topped a hill and oncoming traffic was being let through and your lane was backed up. There weren't any "utility work ahead" or "one lane traffic" signs posted?? Yeooozer! Again, glad it was one of those near miss, ride another day deals.

jh

No, I'm not saying that John - That may be the case - but its really no excuss. Fact was my mind was in another county - Not something I'm prone to do - At least I thought that the case. Anyway, I wasn't prepared - signs or no - It could have been anything - even a kid on a bicycle (an ugly thought). I wasn't ready - All I was is fortunate. I'm going to say I was complacent - I ride the road every day to work. Its full of bends. Over the years I've become quite comfortable and the speeds have exceeded the intended/recommended on quite a few occassions. Propably not unlike many of us from time to time. This time it nearly bit me. Surely, this will help me keep my mind focused. I'm just not ready for a long nap in the fully lined perma-sofa.

Familiarity and complacency can be dangerous bedfellows, or is that "road fellows"?? Thanks for sharing, good lesson for us all.

jh

Most of my close calls have come when I was either going too fast, not paying attention, or both.

Ride safe guys!

Man, glad you are O.K. Things go from great to Oh $&%^ in a millisecond!

wow...seems like we are hearing of too many people getting into way too many close calls.
Glad your ok and you made it through...luck or skill...dont matter as long as your alive!

Lesson learned and shared.
You'll be a better rider for it.
May just cause someone else to think a bit too.

First glad you were OK .

I had a huge bird almost take me out early this season the more I tried to get away from it the more it moved as I did thing was huge like Eagle sized. Managed to avoid it but heart was pounding. We have all had em and if not will.

I am a flagman for the county
And I work the main road
I'm now looking for new job
after yesterday's episode

I watched this joker on a Triumph
Come over this rise and right at me
And now this road maintenance flagman
Has his trousers full of peeeeeeeee

(you know...I need a long vacation!)


(glad you're okay there, Barry)


(BTW...what IS Glenn Campbell doin' these days, anyway?)

Thanks for sharing that experience and I'm glad you're ok. I'm just new back into riding and the positive part of your experience that really caught me was when you said "Gained composure". I hope to heck that I can do just that when that inevitable Oh #&*%! rush of adrenalin hits my brain.