 Riding and doing what I did
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Yesterday... ahhh yes, I was heading up to a local body shop to discuss a paint project for my TBA. Within minutes of leaving home I got behind a diesel black-smoke spewing Westfalia that was literally crawling up to a red traffic light at an approaching intersection. I thought 'that thing's in trouble' until when the light changed, the van sped away at normal speed. Okay... I was heading the same direction and ended up beside it at a double lane right turn. Guess what... the van cut over into my lane and cut me off! Well I laid on that stupid wimpy beep-beep horn (I really gotta change it) and got beside him and shouted profanities about watching the way he drives.
Then... oh yeah this has only just begun, then I got in front of him and slowed to a snail's pace... about the same pace as when he approached that intersection with me behind him. All this on a double lane heading out of town. Did he pull out to pass me? No!!! He stayed right behind me at 3 MPH. I maintained that speed until finally I cranked 'er up and sped outta sight from that granola/hemp seed wanna-be hippie driving a contemporary version of the classic VW van of the fame and glory of the 'San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair) era.
Up the road... not far I turned into a quiet pull-over and waited for the VW to come along. When it did I pulled out behind him and followed up to the adjacent town (about 10 minutes away) the whole time maintaining my tactical stance as a biker ready, willing and able to express my disdain in being placed in jeopardy by this friggin' granola crunching void of reason dipstick!!!
I let him and his pseudo hippie girl friend go finally, and thought... they would never consciously (or even unconsciously) cut off another biker again. I have to believe that otherwise I'm just another redneck biker dude with nothing better to do than terrorize dream-scape cagers.
I confessed to a friend later that I did nothing today to further world peace. He laughed and praised me for sticking up for myself... yet I still question my effectiveness in making this world a better place.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 158
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 158 |
Good to hear you are safe and were not ran over by a careless driver. But as a fellow motorcycle rider to another, we got to keep it cool. Maybe he did not see you through his diesel black-smoke spewing Westfalia. Getting in front of him and slowing down, not a very safe practice. Please read the following article. http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/aug/12/details-emerge-in-fatal-collision/
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2004 Bonneville America
1997 Daytona t595
1998 Speed Triple t509
1997 Ducati M750
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 670
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 670 |
I too tend to let drivers know my distain when the cut me off, especially the ones who do it intentionally!
On the other hand, I have started doing Positive re-enforcement when I see drivers that see me and give me the room I require. If they take that extra 10 seconds to let me pass before turning left in front of me, I give them a full hand wave and a nod of appreciation, as opposed to the single finger salute.
I believe that if enough people start doing this it may spread... but then again, I've been wrong before. In any case it doesn't cost anymore to try!
later, Tom.
But, what do I know?
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 619
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 619 |
I do the same type positive reinforcement thing. Couldn't hurt and that along with all the public safety watch for motorcycles stuff going on might actually wake up a few people.
Long time observer of the human condition.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,237 Likes: 63 |
I tend to kick doors and break mirrors.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,467 Likes: 3 |
1. He had no clutch and didn't want to come to a complete stop at the light (or he was saving biodiesel - smell like fries?). 2. He thought he was entitled to both lanes in the turn because he was "in front". TYPICAL. I've gotta admire your chutzpah, but I wouldn't recommend this same course of action if a 4X4 Dually with a BubbaBox in back pulls the same stunt 
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
dude...were you short on bud? That in no way sounds like the guy I met in July.
I cant say Ive never been so angry that I wouldnt have willingly tried to damage someones face BUT the part where you got in front and slowed down...dont do that! You would not make for good pavement.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,420 |
FRUSTRATION ON THE ROAD...tell me about it. Yesterday on my way home from work, some beeatch purposely sprayed me with her windshield fluid as I rode behind her on the highway. I really need to start carrying a pocket full of buck shot or something for these kind of people. She thought it was just funny as could be. 
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Yeah I know guys... I really do know it's not good to loose your cool. I guess I kinda sorta used this forum for true confessions of my errors and ways and all of you are my priest (lucky you!). I'm not proud of what I did and woulda kept it to myself had it not been for the wine I so generously enjoyed last night.
I really am a meek and mild sort of a guy and like some of you do believe in positive reinforcement. But I also admit to being just a bit of a redneck and that incident got the better of me. Thanks for listening and offering your 2 bits.
Oh sh!t, gotta go... I'm almost late for my counseling session!!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,254 |
you been visiting the Vancouver area recently Keith 
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Keith,what paint sceam did you come up with?
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
FRUSTRATION ON THE ROAD...tell me about it. Yesterday on my way home from work, some beeatch purposely sprayed me with her windshield fluid as I rode behind her on the highway.
I seriously doubt that she "purposely" did that, Chris. I'll bet the "beeatch" was MUCH too busy using her rear-view mirror for applying her mascara and/or was texting on her cellphone to have noticed you riding behind her! 
And Keith, in your diatribe above you never mentioned what kind of initial reaction you received from the cager once he realized he had cut you off. Was it in any way "contrite"*?
(*- con–trite adjective
1. caused by or showing sincere remorse.
2. filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner
3. A SEEMING ANACHRONISM IN TODAY'S WORLD
4. A QUAINT OLD CONCEPT THAT ONE SHOULD FRIGGIN' APOLOGIZE AFTER ONE DISCOVERS THAT THEIR FRIGGIN' BLUNDERS MAY HAVE ENDANGERED THE WELL-BEING OF ANOTHER!!!!
(yep, you guessed it...those last two "definitions" above are mine, NOT Mr.Webster's)
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Sorry you had a bad day. Also, glad you've relaxed and rethought your actions. There are some nuts out there, even hippies, think Charles Manson. I think it was chapter 7 of the Art of War, " never bring a motorcycle to a van fight". 
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
I'm shocked Keith, Shocked & dismayed I tell you  jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59
Member
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Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 59 |
I had the same washer fluid in the face experience last week, so I feel your pain. I am also more than a little embarrassed by my fellow VW diesel drivers. I have owned quite a few of them and learned very early that you need to keep to the right, and try to stay out of the way of everyone else as they have twice the horsepower most of the time! Thankfully my 09 Jetta has just as much get-up-and-go as regular cars and returns 41 mpgs.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,731 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
I had the same washer fluid in the face experience last week, so I feel your pain. I am also more than a little embarrassed by my fellow VW diesel drivers. I have owned quite a few of them and learned very early that you need to keep to the right, and try to stay out of the way of everyone else as they have twice the horsepower most of the time! Thankfully my 09 Jetta has just as much get-up-and-go as regular cars and returns 41 mpgs.
They have twice the hp, but the torque can't be beat! I set my cruise at 72 on the highway and average about 48mpg that way.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
...in your diatribe above you never mentioned what kind of initial reaction you received from the cager once he realized he had cut you off. Was it in any way "contrite"?
Naaa, I didn't receive any sign of remorse or even acknowledgment of his error. He seemed bewildered actually... giving me a look that said 'why is that biker so irate?' replaced quickly by an I-hope-he-doesn't-kill-me sort of a look as I cranked up the drama. In short, he just seemed oblivious to the fact that he's sharing the same planet as the rest of us.
Ya gotta watch those hoser biker dudes living up in them there mountains... they can get a little funny sometimes.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I'm shocked Keith,
Shocked & dismayed I tell you
jh
Sorry to have to put you through that John, especially after all that's happened to you recently. Wasn't very sensitive of me, eh?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225 |
A pocket sized lazer pointer aimed at the drivers outside mirror works wonders for me. Not my fault if they think its a lazer sight. 
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 162
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 162 |
Quote:
FRUSTRATION ON THE ROAD...tell me about it. Yesterday on my way home from work, some beeatch purposely sprayed me with her windshield fluid as I rode behind her on the highway. I really need to start carrying a pocket full of buck shot or something for these kind of people. She thought it was just funny as could be.
Maybe she thought the dirty biker needed a shower 
Do not look back and ask why, look forward and ask, why not?
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,647
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,647 |
Wow, Keith. Got a little road rage eh?
06 America 904
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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OP
Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Wow, Keith. Got a little road rage eh?
Yeah, I'd have to say I do (did)... bowing my head in shame. Losing control ain't a good thing. Sigh...................!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Riding and doing what I do
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Don't make him angry. You won't like him when he's angry. HULK SMASH!
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Re: Riding and doing what I did
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
Yesterday... ahhh yes, I was heading up to a local body shop to discuss a paint project for my TBA. Within minutes of leaving home I got behind a diesel black-smoke spewing Westfalia that was literally crawling up to a red traffic light at an approaching intersection. I thought 'that thing's in trouble' until when the light changed, the van sped away at normal speed. Okay... I was heading the same direction and ended up beside it at a double lane right turn. Guess what... the van cut over into my lane and cut me off! Well I laid on that stupid wimpy beep-beep horn (I really gotta change it) and got beside him and shouted profanities about watching the way he drives.
Keith, I'm pretty sure that was my mom. Be nice. 
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