The Chase

Last weekend we had 2 very experienced and knowledgeable riders fatally injured. No one knows exactly what happened but they were riding very fast and close. The first rider may have over corrected for a rear wheel slide which sent him into a guard rail at a high mph the other rider probably had target fixation. The second rider died instantly and the first rider a few minutes later. Both were very skilled riders, riding at 9/10th to 10/10th. This tragic incident inspired me to write and post the following to our forum.

Please understand things like this just come out. Although the inspiriation for this did come from the recent tragedy, mostly it is the interaction that goes on inside me and maybe others. This is about how we are/can be possessed by riding. What makes us do it? Why do we take the risk? In control yet out of control. It is not meant to condone any specific type of riding. It is more like the addiction that I have.

It is Titled “The Chase”

In front of me stretches the seductive black snake.
She taunts me to come dance with her.
See my beautiful asphalt path as it winds through the mountains.
She lures me to come dance with her
Lets dance again like we danced last time
She seduces me to come dance with her.
Remember how good it feels?
The roar of the motorcycle
The feeling of being invincible
The power, control , the rush of adrenaline
She dares me to dance with her.
Come race your motorcycle along my twisting pavement
How fast can you go?
How far can you lean over?
Will you get to the end first?
It is as if she is enjoying the ride as much as I am.

I only hear her alluring call…. Faster, quicker, harder
So I oblige her…. my bike responds to my every thought
Go left, then right, then left again.
Squeeze the tank as we brake hard into the hairpin
Lean over hard and caress the tarmac
See the exit of the corner and twist the throttle hard
The RPM’s climb and the chase is on to the next corner
It is as if she is enjoying the ride as much as I am.

I am possessed
She wants me to go quicker, faster, lean harder
So I oblige her…. my concentration intensifies
I see nothing but the seductive black snake ahead of me.
I hear only the roar of the motor
I feel only the power of the bike
It is as if I am moving in slow motion
I am intoxicated by my senses
Closer to death, yet more alive than ever before

No longer am I chasing the seductive black snake
The chase is for life
The chase is to cheat death
The chase is over

No matter how good a rider you are please don’t ride at the maximum of your abilities no matter how much you may be seduced.

3 Comments

Having been here…and I’m sure most of us have, it does lure you in. Reason and good judgment gets thrown away as you get further into the twisties. The biggest concern is not self-preservation, but cops and getting a ticket.

It’s a terrible incident, but serves as a good reminder regarding moratlity and sensibility.

Comment by angrybob | December 1st, 2005 12:41 pm | Permalink

Very nice. Very good points, sometimes it is real easy to get caught up in it all and stop thinking about the potential consequences. Well said.

Comment by Cody | December 1st, 2005 5:55 pm | Permalink

yes, the snake…mentioned as far back as the old book of testament-tation…was tempted myself on the twisties
in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, following
a buddy at 9/10ths. Ended up sliding acoss a lookout
parking lot that we didn’t even know was there…until
it saved our butts. Hear is a toast, gentlemen and
ladies: “To those who go before us.” Will be raising my
glass later tonight in Humble Texas, 70 miles from here.

Comment by just dave | December 7th, 2005 6:15 pm | Permalink

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