The Jump Off

[JoeDel]

Unfortunately, riding a bike these days consists of:
Preparing and assuming the worst is about to happen
Do what ever it takes to avoid blind spots
Increased distances between you and the cagers
Wear brighter clothes (eventhough we all hate to)
Louder pipes and use the throttle as an "oh by the way, I'm right over here" tool
And last but not least, then enjoy the ride!

[Road Boss]

After working on road projects for 25 years I found having a pocket full of #1 size stone (little smaller than a dime) and flipping one like you flip a quarter in front of their windshield will gather their attention. They don't know what hit them and come winter when they put their heater on that little spider crack will grow into a big a$$ monster

[City Chicken]

Honestly, it really galls me when I have the spots on (they are always on, irrespective of lighting condititions) and I ride conscientiously to leave proper follow distance, etc. but yet I have had people literally pull right in front of me.

Thank God I bought ABS.

The MSF Course and using common sense (and maintaining the most situational awareness that I can at all times) is really the only way I can see to mitigate this kind of thing. However, it is now clear to me how many experienced riders inevitably have their "crash" story. I hope that mine, whenever it happens, can be reduced by doing what I just described, and staying right with the Lord.

[City Chicken]

Originally Posted by HDSickness

You listen to Li'l Kim? Maybe that's why they are trying to kill you.

Yeah, I tend to migrate over to the hip hop station on satellite radio when Bluegrass Junction is playing a song I've heard too many times before.

Ozzy's Boneyard is another good programming channel, as well as the one devoted to Herbie Hancock. I like Death Metal too. What can I say - it is hard trying to decide on buying a t-shirt at times....

[JPWendtinc]

Originally Posted by City Chicken

Yeah, I tend to migrate over to the hip hop station on satellite radio when Bluegrass Junction is playing a song I've heard too many times before.

Ozzy's Boneyard is another good programming channel, as well as the one devoted to Herbie Hancock. I like Death Metal too. What can I say - it is hard trying to decide on buying a t-shirt at times....

[TmikeX]

I try not to be in any hurry. I guess I've been lucky so far.

[FastFreddy]

I'm with ya, CC. My other favorite stupid NoVA driver move is what I call "the NoVA two lane change". This is when the driver waits until 10 feet before their exit and swings across two lanes without so much as a glance for other traffic. I believe that this is SOP here.

I have to travel on Rt. 7 every day, and every day I am nearly hit by someone who is too busy talking, texting, applying makeup, shaving, etc.

FWIW - I have a LED headlight and white LEDs in the front signals. They make me much more visible, but people will still turn right in front of you. It's not that they don't see you, it's that they simply don't care. Whatever they are doing and wherever they are going is more important (to them) than your life. I try to keep that in mind, and it has served me well.

The VA state sign should say, "Welcome to Virginia. ME FIRST!"

[Tailgunner1]

Originally Posted by JoeDel

Unfortunately, riding a bike these days consists of:
Preparing and assuming the worst is about to happen
Do what ever it takes to avoid blind spots
Increased distances between you and the cagers
Wear brighter clothes (eventhough we all hate to)
Louder pipes and use the throttle as an "oh by the way, I'm right over here" tool
And last but not least, then enjoy the ride!

Agreed. I have had people look me straight in the eye and still turn in front of me, then stop in the middle of the turn, making my job of not getting killed that much harder, and start apologizing . I try to make eye contact and I watch peoples tires to see if they are going to turn in front of me. Everyone out there is trying to kill you. Remember it and live by it!!!!!!