The rider was going too slow. Lingering about at 44mph seems a bit timid in then midst of certain death; just line it up and blast on through. That's what I do…
Seriously, it all looked reasonably do-able from the riders vantage point as he began to "pass:" no driveways or turn-offs for other cars or the tractor thing to turn on to; good visibility ahead with no stopped traffic in their lane… But just as the rider totally commits to his move, they crest the small hill and immediately there is a farm road on the right with a gas station or something right there as well