As some of you may remember (either from direct experience,or the photos that hit the site) the Local LEO's have visited the NH Rally, were fed, checked out the bikes (the one who routinely checks in is a rider himself) and in general gave us a friendly look over...This particular officer is a real nice guy, as I said he is a rider himself, and aside from "doing his job" by checking on us, he obviously enjoys the NH rally and the collection of bikes, he has been made to feel welcome and it gives him "something to do" on what would be an otherwise dull shift in quiet Litchfield NH.
This AM on my ride to work, which was not unlike any other ride to work in many ways. Busy intersections, LEO's in their typical "spots" looking to keep the speeds down. and like many AM trips to work, I see the Litchfield PD cruiser behind me at the intersection where my twisty route crosses a main drag. Again this is not uncommon because there is a Dunkin Doughnut's at that intersection, many a day I have seen the LPD pull thru the drive thru for their morning "Jolt-O-Joe" and be on there way.
Today I'm in line at the light, and I have the "pole position" facing me there is a PU Truck with it's directional on signaling that he intends to turn left (across my straight thru path) as the light changes I proceed slowly across the intersection, and the PU pulls in front of me (as I thought he might) its a WIDE road and I always assume that the left turning traffic will rush my path...so no big deal...I don't even tap the brake, but instead continue to roll on the throttle thru the intersection...no harm no foul...as the traditional "right-of-way" rules obviously no longer apply these days, I'm used to people "jumping the left turn" at the changing of a signal...I pull into the DD parking lot to switch gloves and enjoy a cigar, as I'm a bit early for work.
As I fire her back up and head out for the remainder of my trip to work, in pulls the LPD cruiser, he pulls up to me and rolls down his window, I shut down the bike so I can hear him thru the bean bucket, and he says...that PU truck almost got you!...I had to think about it for a second, as it was really a non issue for me, illegal and rude perhaps, but in no way life threatening...then he says don't worry I went after him...you guys doing that rally again this year?
I thank him and make a comment about S.O.P. at that light and the rudeness, then say "Yes we are"...
Same weekend?
Yup!, you gonna make it again this year?
It's likely, just not sure yet if I'll be On or Off duty.
Great! I say "thanks again" and we're both back on our way to work...
Interesting series of events that led to that this mornings "encounter", I have always believed that 99% of L.E.O.'s are just regular men and women who are genuinely looking out for you...perhaps it's been my years of time being around various Fed, State, and Local, agencies..yet like most, I still get that "noid" feeling upon seeing a cruiser in my rear-view...
But today that Cruiser in my rear-view was there to "cover my back" ...
