Ignoring My Own Advice
Monday, January 15th, 2007 at 5:36 pm by angrybob
That almost created a cage / motorcycle accident. A while back I wrote a lengthy article on Group Riding, and one section was about managing assing and getting passed:
One of the few track rules that apply to the street is ‘the line’. Although there are no blue flags to tell you that you are about to be passed, your line is to be respected by any experienced rider. Again, its best to wave people by but that’s not always an immediate option. If you’re in an area of technical, tight twisties its best to keep your normal line and try to be predictable. The guy who is now on your rear tire will figure out a way to get around you. Smooth is vital for him to anticipate what line you will probably take. Erratic lines make it very difficult to pass and is no good for anyone.
I was up in Sedona, AZ for the weekend and we decided to venture north on 89A out of town to the top of the mountain to do some Native American subsidizing via shopping at their make she was day-dreaming ift / Rest Area flea market. It also served to introduce my kids to snow for the first time in their lives. FWIW, they dug it.
We were in a two-car caravan with my mom and step-dad behind us. I happened to notice some sport bikes approaching us from behind. In no time, they got on ‘our’ bumper. I thought to myself “these guys are not here for the scenery as it’s friggin’ 0 degrees out with visible snow and ice”. I then wondered why they didn’t pass as I would through the mountain twisties, as there was a few decent opportunities to get aorund both of us.
Well, feeling a little sympathy for my two-wheeled comrades, I took the next opportunity to pull on the shoulder (in a parking area) to let them by. This was a mistake in hindsight. Above, I recommend to be predictable. Apparently, my maneuver was not. The third bike in line came within a couple feet of clipping my parents Jeep rental. Whether or not she was daydreaming or whatever, in hindsight I should have probably stayed ‘predictable’ and hold my line letting the ‘faster’ guys get around at their chosen time and comfort.
What I thought was being part of the brotherhood almost caused an accident. Did I lose sleep over this? Nah. But it was the first time something like this happened to me and the results were not as intended.
Food for thought.
Permalink
Filed under: 
It’s interesting how we try to favor motorcyclists when we are in cages. I know I try to stay behind a group of motorcycles whenever I wind up there. Mostly to protect them from the tailgaters.