Watching Out Behind You

[El-Twin]

Taking advantage of the warm January weather, I gear-up and head out to the garage. I'm hoping that the gorgeous Italian redhead is in the mood to start after 3 weeks of un-rideable cold. Stabbing the starter, she fires right up and the warm glow of that throbbing heartbeat casts it's spell.

Heading up the pass, I encounter the inevitable row of Sunday morning traffic being held up by a bus, a camper or an old Ford Pinto. Not to worry, I know there's a passing lane a few miles up.

The views are sensational on this sun-bleached winter morning when the road bends right and the passing lane is upon us. I have enough torque on tap to hold my gear and prepare to take a position in the passing lane. I should be good for a clean pass into open road ahead where I can get back on pace.

But something tells me it may not be so simple. I feel a looming threat at my 7:00 o'clock and scan my mirror. A dark image lingers on the periphery where there should have been clean space. An impatient motorist is forcing a premature move into passing position, before the lane had even opened up. He apparently didn't think twice about mowing-down the motorcyclist in front of him who was signaling to take the same space.

Holding position, I glance over my left shoulder to get a full view of the rogue cager. I fix my stare on him as if to say "What the f**k are you doing?" Apparently I made contact as he ceased his advance at about my 8:00 o'clock and dropped back. Way back.

As I executed the pass I saw him fall back into file so as not to darken my mirrors again. An unskilled motorist could at least feel shame. Or so I would like to think.

If we could always be so fortunate. Keep your eyes open out there.

[Jarvicious]

Well played sir.  I've been running mirrorless for a while now and that is the SOLE reason I want to get at least old rightie back on the bike.  Between work and play, I probably put 60k a year on all vehicles and if it's one thing I've learned, it's that people turn into mindless drones the second they get behind the wheel.  It's worse this time of year if there's even a modicum of drizzle on the roads.  Be careful. 

[El-Twin]

Well played sir. 

And you sir are a gentleman and a scholar.

 

But seriously though, please get at least one mirror back on before your next ride. Our Heightened Sensitivities should never be our last line of defense. We are invisible out there, after all. Manage the risks to an acceptable level or risk becoming acquainted with the Sausage Creature.

Cheers and stay safe.

[Curmudgeon]

This isn't the only reason to watch your 6 by far. Whenever you slow in traffic or stop at a light or intersection, leave yourself an escape route and keeping checking that 6. Had a former boss rearended at a light one Sunday morning by some Japanese tourists "who didn't see him". (I heard the tires, popped my clutch and headed for the shoulder.) A riding buddy, 40+ years experience, was rearended end of summer before last and is still not well enough to ride. Hit by a woman texting on her phone.

You aren't there. Remember it!

[SDRider]

This is the reason I have a bar end mirror on both bar ends.