Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Intimidation

Looks like intimidation has it's hooks in me....it's almost like someone is trying to tell me something. I have had 3 incident's since I bought my '05 America in February, the latest has me thinking...and the more I think how lucky I was, the less interest I have in riding....
Riding through North Georgia yesterday casually relaxing and enjoying the scenery on GA hwy 180 (I think) that goes through Wolf Pen Gap from Suches to Vogel State Park, there was little traffic. I was taking the sharper curves at 25 to 30 mph, and enjoying the challenge. I approached a rather sharp curve to the right, and laid the bike smoothly into a healthy lean to the right, when all I seen was FORD,and the center of the truck in my lane. I watched my life pass before me, and locked down the rear brake as my only reaction to the imminent collision. I prepared for the truck to strike me on my left rear, and hoped my head smashing into the rocks on my right would'nt be lethal, but before I knew it, it was all over, and I was un-scathed, perhaps by the hand of God....my 44 year old heart was being tested for sure as it nearly beat out of my chest. All I could think of at the time was how can I get out of these mountains without being killed, and contemplated trailering her back home and possibly selling her. I did manage to get her back home, and have the feeling that no matter how careful I am, I am too vulnerable and too old for this popular past time......Anyone else ever feel this way?

I hate to say this, but if you are too apprehensive to ride and are worried all the time, maybe you do need to rethink the whole notion.
Your life is worth more than that.
I actually gave up downhill skiing for a similar reason. I had a bad crash, broke my shoulder and arm. Since then I don't have any fun as I am too apprehensive and it just takes all the fun out of it. When it's no fun. and all nerves, forget it, time to hang it up and move on to something else.

Mark, I read your post about this incident in one of the other forums...I understand how scary it must have been...and if you've had a couple of other close shaves or near-mishaps, no doubt you'd be wondering if there was a message in there somewhere...I can't tell you yes or no to that, but my overall feeling is this...you've got some riding skills, my friend...while I believe the hand of God intervenes at times, I also believe our lives are in our hands sometimes...you showed good riding technique and common sense entering the curve, and THAT contributed to saving your a$$...you reacted well and maintained control in a panic situation...THAT also contributed to saving your a$$...YOU deserve credit for that...so have confidence in your skills...saddle up and ride again right away, before the uneasiness takes it's toll on you...be careful, be wary, always expect the unexpected...but don't give up riding unless you're absolutely sure it's not for you...don't be intimidated...

Yeah, what OW says and here's some more from me.

DO NOT be intimidated, please!! Yes, close calls happen and yes, accidents happen. Your best defense is your brain and your skills. Just don't ride beyond either! Practice makes perfect so the more riding you do, the more your confidence level will increase. I've been on Wolf Pen Gap Road. It is outstanding. I rode it carefully and ALWAYS looking as far ahead as I could. When I go into a corner, I am looking through the corner to where I am going to be in 3-4 seconds and not where I am right at the moment. Don't know if you have practiced this but your bike will go where you look. If you are looking through the curve it will naturally follow that curve. It does take some getting used to but it is the only way to ride the twisties. I also used the engine as a brake. On Wolf Pen, I don't think I ever got out of second gear!

Don't let that close call get to you my friend. Sure, it spooked you but learn from it and move on!

See ya in little over a week!!!!!!!!!

If you've never ridden before, or if you rode many years ago and are just getting back to it, your brain is still in training.
The more you ride, and actually, the more "close shaves" you survive, the more you hone your riding attitude.
You have to find that happy place between "Wow this is a blast!!!!" and "Hey, I could die!".

If you can't get over the apprehension it will suck all the enjoyment out of the riding experience. That's something you just have to work out for yourself.....

But, think about it this way,..
What if you had been in a car? Would the truck have still missed you?

Granted skill and judgment go along way, but there are some situations that no matter how experienced you are, or the quality of judgment that you use, it won't matter, and this was one of those situations. From this point forward, I will not ride alone if at all possible, and will DEFINITELY not go on that damned 180 again alone!!!

I think its simpler than all the above. Pat hit it. If it is scaring you, you can't have fun. Sell the bike.

If I told you to get past it and keep riding, I couldn't live with myself if I ever heard of you hitting the big one so to speak. Sell the bike my friend. Anxiety can make you make a bad discision and take all the fun out of it.

I know not what course other men may take, but as for me...give me a mountain road and a motorcycle...or give me death!!!

Cheers,
Dwight
(o' course, this course COULD hasten that there last thing, but ya know WHAT...WHAT A WAY TO GO, buddy...just be careful out there, don't ride faster than your abilities, and ALWAYS assume that those cagers out there are tryin' to run your a$$ over)

Mark I can relate to your issues 5 years ago I hit an oil slick on an long off ramp at 65mph, some truck had dumped oil for 200 feet of the ramp, after saving it once I finaly layed it down on the left side and "ejected" my self from the bike letting it lead the way...nothing broken (on me) but got some nice 3rd degree burns from the pipes after the curb launched the bike and I went under it...

Now when I ride, despite 20 plus years of "dragging the pipes" in the corners...I am some what reluctant to lean it hard in...

BUT as I ride more my confidence in my equipment (and my own skill) grows and I have noticed a thinning of my "chicken strips" give it time...

After the wreck I thought my riding years were over...but I could not ignore the calling any longer...

There is nothing wrong with a "healthy fear" (many shop teachers have to few fingers because they lost their fear of the table saw) but don't let it rule you...confront it and even respect it but...trust in your skill and equipment....

I hate heights...but I am (was) an advid rock climber...because I trust my equipment and my skill...

Same goes for your bikeing skill...your tale (and the fact that you could relate it here rather than the grim alterntive) speaks to your skill!

Its the healthy fear of some cager whackin us that keeps us from riding in their blind spot, dbl checking them constantly and so on ....nothing wrong with a little healthy fear...so long as your don't let it controll you!

The flip side of all this is that my heart almost jumped completely out of my throat 3 or 4 times on the way home from NJ today in the cage... Close calls happen everywhere!

You have to decide. Everyone here has given you good advice. I'd like to point out one other thing though:

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Riding through North Georgia yesterday casually relaxing and enjoying the scenery

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To paraphrase Sir Winston Churchill:
Never relax, never, never, never, never, on any motorcycle, large or small, cruiser or sportbike. Never relax except when the bike is parked, and the beer is opened. Never relax in traffic, never relax on twisties, due to the overwhelming weight and inattention of others.

Went on another ride last night after work, wifey wanted to ride her Honda (she's a beginner) and we logged 74 miles on the four lane through west Georgia. (That's a whole new fear, watching your beginner wifey in the rear view passing a lumber truck doing 80+ on the 2 lane parts) All went excellant and fun was had by all, and lots of confidence gained on her part. I am now more familiar with recognizing hazardous situations, and believe me, hiway 180 (or any twistie) is a very hazardous situation...other than that, Im good....

Hang in there Mark, You'll be riding in a Large group next week. From what I have read, there are many of us who have been away from bikes for many years. Its just a little harder to get back into the riding concentration. And besides there are more dangers out there now! Cagers with cell phones!!!
You hang in there and take the twistys slower, and remember to expect a car on every corner that way you will be ready.
Steve

There was a saying on the old board - Ride like they're trying to kill you, because they are.......

Had my 3rd incident in as many months on my way to the annual state safety inspection (irony). A woman in a mini-van didn't like following a school bus, so decided to pass on the right. I of course was in the right lane. I let her know how I felt at the next light. I understand saliva is good for windshields.

I just came home from a ride to the auto parts ($1.77 ea. for our spark plugs...) and coming around a bend a woman in some square looking Honda Placenta or something pulls out right in front of me.....

On the tailgate is a big yellow sticker - "Watch Out For Motorcycles"..... I guess we're in season again.....

I agree that your riding skills have served you well throught the close calls. At the same time, if you aren't enjoying it right now maybe it's time to put it aside for a while. Don't sell it though! In a month or so you may find that your desire to ride is larger than than the potential danger. However you choose to get around I hope you travel safe.

Hey Grump, Do you think some of those cagers put the yellow stickers on their cars to remind us that We are their Targets? Sometimes I feel like I have a big Target bullseye on my back.
Steve

Mark reading your post, just saw it today, hit close to home. I was in a really bad snowmobile accident this winter, 60 mph into a tree, throttle stuck wide open. Anyway I'm having a probelm riding now, I dont feel as comfortable as I used. Havent been out on the major roads yet, just puttering around side streets and parking lots trying to get confidence back. Any suggestions from you guys on drills etc?
Thanks
Dill

Dill,

It's all mental. You can drill till the wheels fall off but if you can't shake the apprehension it won't make a difference. No matter what your skill level is, it doesn't change the rest of the world. Practice only raises the odds in your favor - it won't make you accident proof.
When I bought my TA in 03 and started riding again after 25 or so years I had several close calls that made me question if I really wanted to ride again or if it was just some mid-life fantasy. A few of the close calls were out of my control, but most were me being out of control.
It takes time and it takes the right attitude. Each of us has to weigh the risks involved and make a decision.

It's not just the cagers you have to watch out for. I was riding through town on the interstate with my wife in our 3/4 ton truck a couple of weeks ago. We were in the far left lane and just as she signaled to change into the middle lane, two crotch rockets passed us on the right doing well over 100mph. If it had been about a second later they would have both been in the back seat with my kids.

I do believe the mind of the average crotch rocket ridee is often absent without leave.

I hate to generalize like that but those boys let all that torque/horsepower to weight ratio go to their heads.

I can see how it must be tempting to constantly blow by everyone as they easily can but often they appear behind you just after you check the blind spot.

I wonder what the fatality statistics for crotch rockets indicates as opposed to the rest of the motorcycling public?

we have to watch out for every car, truck, animal, oil slick, lumber falling from a truck on a southbound slice of slab in georgia, june bugs careening into our faces, and chests at our top speed, a sneeze, a song that comes into your head.

yes. enjoy the ride but be cautious.

we encountered haytrucks, flatbeds, and sh*theads on 180 last weekend and everyone did all right.

watch the road: front, sides and behind. when you get tired; stop. when you get nervous, pull over and get your bearings.
don't ride when you're too tired to think.

ride, respect, ride, respect and everything else the guys said.

shari

Exactly right Shari, good meeting you this weekend by the way, I enjoyed you and Chy "Live and Unplugged" on the porch Saturday, (what was that the Doors you were playing?)
Coming down 19 toward Dahlonega behind Chy and Di, I learned that you basically just have to "Go for it" and not worry about a 100 pound deer leaping out in front of you at 60 mph., Had that happened, it would have been disastrous for the first 5 or 6 bikes in the pack, regardless of our riding skills.
ps- got my America soaked for the first time Friday....

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ps- got my America soaked for the first time Friday....

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Congratulations, Mark. now a little dirt from time to time won't freak you out so bad. I know the first ride in the rain got me to chill about dirt and grit(just a little)

good to meet you too. i loved being with the group. we have to find out about that place we stopped on Saturday with the trout run out back. miss your neck of the woods already.

shari

Mark,
First let me say this the way you describe the near miss, had you been in a car it wouldn't have been a near miss. The width of the car would have made the difference and you would have been hit dead on.
I know how you feel, I have survived not one but two serious motorcycle accidents, the first, I was about 25 I laid the bike down, slid like a human surfboard with a friend on top of me for about twenty feet, ended up looking like a giant strawberry. The second I was on a straightaway and a woman backed out of a blind driveway I hit her dead on in the front quarter panel, went flying 40 feet through the air, broke my left knee, left hand, and pretty much screwed my back up for good. If it weren't for my helmet, I would probably be a vegetable. I was doing 72 mph at the time of impact, I was young, stupid and drunk, I was also being chased by a cop. I didn't know that part 'till I woke up in the hospital with a ticket in my pocket. That was about 22 years ago. I am 44 now also and have been riding my own bikes for the last 5 years. I would borrow friends bikes or rent bikes on trips during the interim. I have learned that healthy fear keeps me alert, not afraid. I have learned that if I can't see it, I need to keep reaction space, I always wear a helmet, I never drink and ride, no matter what anyone says it slows reaction time. Most of all I've learned that when your number is up, it's up...not one second before or later. I love to ride, I'd do it every day if I could, I keep the bike running all winter and ride as long as weather permits. I don't think anyone is out there trying to kill me, I think there are alot of busy, tired, preoccupied and drunk people out there that choose 4 wheels instead of 2 because of their own healthy fears, In all honesty I've seen more bikers act like A**holes when riding than drivers. Doing wheelies, weaving in and out of rush hour traffic at well over 100mph scaring the s&#t out of people, and we have the balls to call those in cars haphazard. Sorry....You do what you need to do...for me I ride, I love it, I want to be part of it, and if tomorrow is my last day, I'll go with a smile knowing I was happy doing it....when your number is up, it's up...not one second before or later. P.S...Alert, not Afraid!

Have you taken a Motorcycle Safety Course. I bought my BA after not riding for 15 years. The first thing I did was take the course. Thought there was nothing they could teach me and I was only there for a quick motorcycle endorsement on my license. But I had a blast. Just riding 250cc motorcycles all day with two people setting cones and courses for me. Thinking of doing it again just for the fun of it. Sure taught me some techniques i had learned on my own many years ago and had no idea I was using them.

Hell yeah I took it. And I reccomend it to everyone. Especially those guys who think they can't learn anything new.

Okie, I was in the same spot. I hadn't ridden in 15 years. I decide that before I got a bike again I was going to get my endorsement first and took the class knowing it would be the easiest way to get it. It was worth every penny of it. There was a lot of stuff that I knew, but didn't know I knew. Like you (and a lot of other people), self taught from experience. The class was worth every penny.

Soren

I had a teenage girl on a cell ran a stop sign turning left in front of me. Luck I was in my car. If I were on my bike I would have T-boned her. Yelled at her to get off of the phone and she shot me the bird. As if I had done something to her.
Mark

Mark and others I can relate, I've reentered the motorcycling. 06'America 5/19/06. 1979 the last time I rode regularly. Soon to be 50 yo, rode motorcycles younger days, while I was in the Air Force 75'-79' in Korea and San Bernardino CA. Close calls with young girls, smoking/talking on cell, thought I was about to get an enema. Even more looking in mirrors. However I laid my America down going around a corner at 5-10 mph, front wheel slid out in sand. Thought about selling the bike after that, got back out again soon. I've learned when my inner sense says got off the road there is an as^&** behind. I just do it.

Good to hear you're back on two wheels! Keep your eyes peeled in the rides section for some CT or Long Island rides.

Jonathan,

Right down the street in Wolcott, I too was in the Air Force 71-75 . Made a few excurions up to Thomaston and Torrington a couple of times on RT 72 and 4 when it is not raining.

Let me know if you would like to hook up for ride.

Mark,

May 26, 1974 2:36 Pm Colo. Springs Colo RT 25 right lane very little traffic Triumph 750 Tiger going 65 mph.. A lady came up in the left lane looked over at me and swung the wheel right into my lane. I left the road at 65 and was able to ride it out to about 25 mph when she went down. It all seemed like slow motion and I just keep flipping over and over. When it was over I remember laying there and thinking that was not to bad, then the bike fell on me and before I could push it off the pipe burned my lower left leg and I sit here now looking at that ugly scar. But my love for riding has always outweighed my fear of getting hurt or even killed.

Someone posted that fear is a good thing it is if you do not let it complete consume you it got me through 14 months in VN in 1971 and I truly believe it keeps me safe while I'm riding.

Two things to leave you with you are never a pu**y if you ride within your limits and who cares if you show up 10 minutes after everyone eles, riding is not about impressing anyone its the enjoyment of the smile on your face and the wind in your face.

Be safe and do not worry you will be back on your bike in no time.

I hit a deer on my Thumper 27 years ago. I hit her square in the head with my headlight, and kept the bike up with an adrenaline induced death grip. (If I had diapers on, I may have elected to use them.) I was on my way to a booty call, so I kept going on low beam. I got over it, but it was a valuable lesson about night riding here in the woods of NW CT.

The call of the rut is powerful.....

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The call of the rut is powerful.....

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read this 2 times...went away...realized what you said...laughed...and came back to tell ya...i just got it...
maybe because it's off season...

mert

I'm always in season.