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Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:03 am
by Blueridgerider
Here is a good example of why you should try to stay to the right and enter a left hand curve from the outside of the road. I was cruising up Rt178 for those that know it, riding at a decent pace, had the road all by myself, and in a split second here comes this sports car and bike. Have ridden that road more times than I can count. The video shows it all as I had enough time to get over so he could barely get by
When I watch it I realize if I had been closer to the curve it might not have ended so well. With all the leaves blocking the road I might not have seen them coming as quick as they entered that curve. It's a definite horseshoe bender and would be tough for even the best rider to stay in control at that speed. He was by me so fast I doubt he even saw the nice gesture I gave him when he screamed by
I thought I would share this as the visual might stick in the heads of anyone cruising out in the mountains. I expect this often at the Gap but should everywhere.
https://vimeo.com/747677426
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:10 am
by CraigRegs
Ho. Lee. Shit. Glad you're here to provide the reminder. I hope that other rider had to stop to change underwear.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:19 am
by D-Eagle
Great video. Good reminder. Glad you're ok. Too close.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:41 am
by LKLD
I agree with you…too close. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon at the Gap, or other popular roads in that area. I’ve had that happen to me too, and like you, was able to see it coming and adjust accordingly.
A good reminder to be diligent while riding, even when it appears you are the only one on the road.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:44 am
by Toter
Woooaaah! Glad you dodged that bullet.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 12:01 pm
by wheatonFJR
Blueridgerider wrote: ↑Thu Sep 08, 2022 11:03 am
Here is a good example of why you should try to stay to the right and enter a left hand curve from the outside of the road. I was cruising up Rt178 for those that know it, riding at a decent pace, had the road all by myself, and in a split second here comes this sports car and bike. Have ridden that road more times than I can count. The video shows it all as I had enough time to get over so he could barely get by
When I watch it I realize if I had been closer to the curve it might not have ended so well. With all the leaves blocking the road I might not have seen them coming as quick as they entered that curve. It's a definite horseshoe bender and would be tough for even the best rider to stay in control at that speed. He was by me so fast I doubt he even saw the nice gesture I gave him when he screamed by
I thought I would share this as the visual might stick in the heads of anyone cruising out in the mountains. I expect this often at the Gap but should everywhere.
https://vimeo.com/747677426
No. That WASN'T me, Duane.
BRR, glad it ended up with a nice jackass video by you...instead of a post by someone you know.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 12:42 pm
by Red
Riders,
No video, but once I was riding Wolf Creek Pass, in Colorado; it is one lane each way, with lots of hairpin turns. A tractor-trailer came around the bend as I entered one hairpin turn. No problem for the tractor unit, but he was pulling a triple! The first trailer was mostly in his lane, fine; the second trailer was halfway into my lane, and the third trailer covered most of my lane. I rode the white stripe on my side of the road, and we missed. If I had been driving a car then, it would have been into the cliff inside the turn, or run over by the rear trailer, or both. The cliff had blocked my view of the turning road ahead, so I had about one second's notice of what was coming. Since I was just sightseeing, not racing, I could make the move that saved my life. If the rear trailer had run over me, I doubt that the truck driver would have noticed the bump - and the inside cliff was blocking his view of the third trailer.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 1:07 pm
by CollingsBob
Wow!
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 8:42 pm
by Hppants
Glad to see you dodged that idiot.
Outside, inside, outside. Lane position makes a difference.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2022 9:55 pm
by PhilJet09
Absolutely right, too close! It’s a good reminder for sure. Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon, as I’ve had a number of similar instances on popular roads in the smokies. Be careful out there.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 8:28 am
by FJRPittsburgh
Good reminder. You never know what's just around the bend. Thanks for that!
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 8:41 am
by Festus
In watching that, the guy had a lot he could have done to fix the situation. His body position was straight up, it looked like. He could have easily tightened that curve up and not put you at risk.
Glad one of you was riding smart!
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 7:34 pm
by danh600
I almost got run over in a walmart parking lot today. While walking on the sidewalk.
Use to take a half bottle of Jack to be invisible.
Now I just assume I am all the time.
I really hope when I go out. People can remember me and say " It was a good death."
Being run over at the walmart would not be that story.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 8:28 pm
by wheatonFJR
danh600 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 09, 2022 7:34 pm
I almost got run over in a walmart parking lot today. While walking on the sidewalk.
Use to take a half bottle of Jack to be invisible.
Now I just assume I am all the time.
I really hope when I go out. People can remember me and say " It was a good death."
Being run over at the walmart would not be that story.
Welcome the Carolinas!
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2022 10:27 pm
by Bugnatr
Whew, that was a bit close.
As Reg Pridmore taught us years ago during his class as Sears Point Raceway. For street riding - stay right stay alive...all the time.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2022 2:08 pm
by sacramentomike
I always thought Toecutter made up that phrase, Dougie. But Streetmasters taught the same lane positioning, enter that left curve way over on the right and only come near the center line when you can see your way through the apex--and also see whatever's coming at you! The rider clearly blew the turn, too fast, hit the brakes late and went upright--and way wide. Think I may have done it myself--once.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:23 pm
by rbentnail
Looks like target fixation and a bit of panic.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:41 pm
by wheatonFJR
rbentnail wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:23 pm
Looks like target fixation and a bit of panic.
Yep. Out of control, crossed the dog yellow, THEN looked at the bike he didn't want to hit.
I love 178/215! I always have my brights on in the hairpins, as oncoming trucks/cars see them
earlier in the blind curve and get back in their lane more urgently and quickly.
If I'm following someone, I don't have the brights on.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2022 5:05 pm
by 0face
wheatonFJR wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:41 pm
If I'm following someone, I don't have the brights on.
Sometimes.
Re: Way Too Close!!
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2022 7:13 pm
by wheatonFJR
0face wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 5:05 pm
wheatonFJR wrote: ↑Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:41 pm
If I'm following someone, I don't have the brights on.
Sometimes.
If I did it "accidentally" to you, I'm sure there was a "good" reason for it lol...