Took the cage to work and...

[best]

I feel I was protected. Last night, at the last minute, a choice of taking the cage came over me just as I was getting ready to grab the helmet. The ride home this AM would not have been fun if on the bike. A huge 8x8 plastic sign had fallen off a truck. The car just ahead of me ran it over, as a few cars before him did as well. It happened to become airborn just as I came upon it. Windshield scratched, roof. molding, and spoiler scratched. On the bike, it would have caused me to slip and go down or as it was airborn, it would have knocked me off the bike for sure.
Called the state police and they had the highway dept remove it. When home, I called the HD and asked "what was the name on the sign?"
They said a broom and shovel is how they picked it up. If I have a few hours of free time and lots of super glue, I could show up at the yard and get the info myself *LOL* It had become thousands of pieces by the time they showed up with the truck for removal.
The past two weeks I have seen more stuff on the road from off the back of trucks then I have all year.

Keep your eyes open people.

[BillJ]

Best, you're lucky the thing didn't take your head off, even in the cage! If you'd been on the bike, well, let's not dwell on that, okay? I'm just glad you listened to that little voice, when you chose which vehicle to take to work. I've learned, by not listening (and suffering the consequences) to pay close attention to my instincts. They're there for a reason!

Down here I see a lot of stepladders - aluminum and fiberglass - laying in the road after falling off the back of someone's truck. Those things aren't cheap, but these guys can't seem to get the hang of tying 'em down!

Because there's so much trash on the roads these days, I'm hyper-vigilant, especially in traffic, where there's less room to manuever. When I took the Advanced MSF Course, and asked the instructor what he recommended if faced with an obstacle like that, and unable to avoid it, he didn't have a clue. One of the other students suggested jerking up on the handlebars and standing on the pegs, dirt-bike style, and the instructor was like "Oh, okay... I guess that would work." I pray I never have to test that theory!

[best]

My instructor at MSF course said... 90 degrees, on pegs, roll throttle, front over, roll back throttle... if bigger then a 4 by 4 post or if a mattress...pray and hope then check your pants when you pull to the side of the road for a smoke.

A sheet of wood or mattress (flat things) no brake or turning as you try your best to just roll over it, straight on.

Nice save Best.

Couple years back, before mandatory seat-belts (I never wore mine), I was on the freeway, behind one car, that was behind a small pick-up truck with an aluminum extension ladder in it. I was watching it, and thinking about it, when this little voice in my head told me to put my seat belt on. So I did.

Then the ladder came out of the truck. The guy in front of me, stood, with both feet I think on his brakes, but hit the ladder anyway, tossing it into the air.

I had to do some real fast manuvering to avoid the aftermath, only to end up off of the road all together. It was a violent ride, and could have been worse without the belt. Would have been worse had I been hit, but still had the belt.

That little voice usually has a big message.

I'm glad your ok.

[best]

Originally Posted by Doug

That little voice usually has a big message.

I'm glad your ok.

Thank you

A few added years of recovery would be added if I had listened to that little voice a little sooner in life.
Seems I get the message (and you did as well) just as it is needed.

[Gooch]

wow! what a thread.

I've just returned from a 100 mile trip on a 26 year old shovelhead lo rider.

My friend offered me the use of it the other day after my rim got flattened by the truck.

So I called my favorite fender bunny and asked her if she wanted to make a smoke run.

Now the only stipulation my buddy had was "Don't mess my bike up with any tyractor trailers.. because if you do remember I have hand guns and you had better be able to limp faster than a slug."


Si here I am on this sweet bike at the corner waiting to turn left and ....

here come a tractor trailer through the intersection .. i start backing up a bit just to be on the safe side.. I'm well behind the stop lign in the center of the left turn lane and ....

this guy still looks as if he's going to swing through as if he's entitled to the whole 4 corners of a 4 lane/ 2 lane intersection. ( he's turning off the 4 laner)

I turn to Kristy ( my passenger from teh other night and say "look at this guy... can you believe it? " and I start getting a flashback.. tarp topped trailer .. red freaightliner tractor.. .. I said outloud as the guy glides by waving a hand to me for backing out of his way.. " thts ok you allready ran me over once.... "and I think .. I wonder? could it be?

I remembered the name of the company and teh trailer license number til we got to the gas station and stuffed it into the notepad on my cell phone.

i just checked and the number wasn't close. He was running the same route as the guy who turned and ran while the nice lady was trying to get him to stop.

I'm going to keep my eye on these guys for a while and see if that plate number shows up.

[best]

Wondering if I should take the cage again tonight? *LOL*

Only day this week I will be able to ride. rain is on the way for 4 days it seems.