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!
