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Hexangler
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 12:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

A serious note to all bikers from Ms. Hex:

Please understand that even before I met Hex (nine years ago) I was always very conscious of bikers. I have had this worry, premonition or nightmare of a biker dropping his bike in front of me on the freeway. This has gone on for more years than I care to remember.

Well, today, it finally happened.

First off, the biker (not Hex) is okay. Thankfully. Although, this stranger is bruised, bloody, and visually scared. I am so thankful that I did not run him over.

This is what happened (from my point of view):

I was driving from work from downtown Sacramento (California) to our home in Roseville (about a 20 mile drive East). As I approached the first of two Roseville exits and off ramps, I noticed a gentleman riding what appeared to be a Harley mid-size merging VERY quickly into the right hand lane of traffic that was slowing down due to construction activity AND normal Friday afternoon congestion in California. Something in my brain said to me: “This is not good.” He was driving too fast on the on ramp for the speed of traffic that he was merging into...Can you picture what happens next as traffic hits a standstill?

He brakes...hard...smoke (from his rear tire?)...he cannot stop in time..so he lays down his bike on I-80 in a construction zone and in Friday afternoon traffic...on a freeway.

I watch the bike hit the ground and the rider rolls in front of my car. I stop in time to see his helmet come off of his head, but I cannot see him in front of my car. I do know that I haven’t hit him. I pray that the truck behind me has seen me tapping my brakes as I approached this situation.

I cry. I hope that he is 0kay. The passenger in the truck behind me exits his vehicle to check on him. He gets up from the ground. He seems to be alright. I cannot get out of the car because traffic in the lane to my left is still wizzing by at at least 50 mph.

His arm is very bloody, but otherwise he stood up in an amazing amount of time (adrenaline?). He rights his bike, mounts it, and rides it to the next off ramp. I follow him. I ask if he is okay. He says he is calling his wife to pick him up.

I didn’t run him over. I was paying attention.

My point to y’all is this: Look behind and to the side...look forward and beyond..not only in traffic, but also to all of the lives that you may change by not being completely on top of the bike.

Sincerely,

Kathleen
(Hex’s gal)

May you ride forever in peace and safety.
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Glitch
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 12:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes mam, and thank you
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Rotzaruck
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 12:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ms. Hex
I hope the rider realizes how fortunate he was to have you there looking out for him. It could have been a drunk, a chronic texter or just someone not paying complete attention to what was unfolding in front of them.
Just one little moment in time and such a tremendously different outcome.
I wish you would start following me around!
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Oldog
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 01:16 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Yes Mam thanks for looking out for us..
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Brinnutz
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 02:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thank ya Ma'am...

Can you start teaching other cagers to think like you? That would be most helpful.
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Akdavis742000
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 04:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Figures it would be some douche bag on a Harley. He probably just left his local watering hole (or 3) before getting on the road. It was a friday afternoon, and what red blooded man doesn't crave beer the minute the work release buzzer sounds? A Bueller, we wait until we get home to get plowed hehehe! God bless you for keeping your head and not panicking like he did.
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New12r
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 07:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well I am glad you did not hit him, and THANK YOU FOR PAYING ATTN!

and what red blooded man doesn't crave beer the minute the work release buzzer sounds?

Ummm, me. I run home to take a walk with my kid and dogs and kiss my wife goodbye.

I almost never drink, along with most of the 3%ers here, but when we do watch out!
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Ulywife
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 08:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ms. Hex, you and I have the same fear. I'm so sorry you had to witness this guy going down, but thankful for both of you that you were paying attention and did not hit him. He needs to count his lucky stars that it was you behind the wheel of that vehicle and not someone who didn't realize what was likely to happen in the next few seconds.

This is part of the reason that I don't like following Carlos when he's on the bike and I'm in the truck, even for short distance.

Kristi
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Spiderman
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 09:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Maybe you can send that to the douche canoe that rear ended me...
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Stevedplumber
Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 09:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

"Share the road with motorcycles.
Look twice for bikes."

Electronic message sign over the main beltway on my way to and from work.
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