FJRBluesman
Some call me... The STIG!
I have heard from many non-motorcycle riders that riding a bike would be so fun and easy. Many times I have told them how tired I am when I come back from a short trip on the bike. They don't get it and think we just sit there and turn the throttle and let the wind blow thru our hair, FUN. I try to edumecates them by telling them how alert I am and how I look farther ahead and watch so many more vehicles, the drivers, looking for outs, looking for what could happen if A or B happened. Then they'll say, "Well that doesn't sound like fun". Maybe not to them, but it's part of riding a bike.
My short story for paying attention while riding.
The other day while riding to work. I was on a main street in Huntington Beach, CA, about dawn, still dark sun just starting to rise. The traffic and I were doing about the same speed on a major thoroughfare (45mph), 3 lanes in each direction, I'm in the far right lane. A couple cars did a jack rabbit start from the light we were at and got ahead of me in the number one and two lanes, oh well. I just hung back riding to work checking my surroundings. I'm approaching a major intersection with a traffic signal, it's green for our direction of traffic and had been for some time, I'm at the speed limit. I notice the two cars brake lights are applied. I thought, "Hmm, why the brakes, I don't see anything". I let off of the throttle and get ready for a hand full of brakes just incase. I start to notice something in my lane, it's in the cross walk and it's sort of moving, but I can't make it out yet. While observing this, I decide to brake, looking for an out incase I must make a fast lane change, all is clear. I see the said object is moving towards the sidewalk. As I get closer I see that it's a little old woman turning, and hobbling back to the sidewalk. I brake even more and hit my high beams, and horn. The woman looked at me like I was crazy and she continued to hobble onto the sidewalk. I changed lanes and motored on by while shaking my head.
I could not believe this person was starting to cross the street against the traffic signal (in the dark), and then she headed back when she saw the other cars and me. Even though I was really alert if it had not been for the warning from the cars, there was a very good chance I would have had a new front end ornament.
My point is, know what's around you. Watch what others are doing, and why. They could be huge hints for you and your safety, as well as the safety of others.
Have fun, ride safe.
My short story for paying attention while riding.
The other day while riding to work. I was on a main street in Huntington Beach, CA, about dawn, still dark sun just starting to rise. The traffic and I were doing about the same speed on a major thoroughfare (45mph), 3 lanes in each direction, I'm in the far right lane. A couple cars did a jack rabbit start from the light we were at and got ahead of me in the number one and two lanes, oh well. I just hung back riding to work checking my surroundings. I'm approaching a major intersection with a traffic signal, it's green for our direction of traffic and had been for some time, I'm at the speed limit. I notice the two cars brake lights are applied. I thought, "Hmm, why the brakes, I don't see anything". I let off of the throttle and get ready for a hand full of brakes just incase. I start to notice something in my lane, it's in the cross walk and it's sort of moving, but I can't make it out yet. While observing this, I decide to brake, looking for an out incase I must make a fast lane change, all is clear. I see the said object is moving towards the sidewalk. As I get closer I see that it's a little old woman turning, and hobbling back to the sidewalk. I brake even more and hit my high beams, and horn. The woman looked at me like I was crazy and she continued to hobble onto the sidewalk. I changed lanes and motored on by while shaking my head.
I could not believe this person was starting to cross the street against the traffic signal (in the dark), and then she headed back when she saw the other cars and me. Even though I was really alert if it had not been for the warning from the cars, there was a very good chance I would have had a new front end ornament.
My point is, know what's around you. Watch what others are doing, and why. They could be huge hints for you and your safety, as well as the safety of others.
Have fun, ride safe.