Stevan Thomas wrote:
>
> In a message dated 3/16/04 7:52:13 AM Pacific Standard Time,
> Raoul.L.Delmare@worldnet.att.net writes:
>
> > The professor described an accident, an accident which he knew had
> > actually happened. A person (a woman if I recall correctly, but it
> > makes no difference) was driving an automobile down a small highway.
> > The automobile driver made a left turn. The day was sunny. The road
> > was straight. There were no hills. There was almost no traffic.
> > The automobile killed a young man on a motorbike. The dead victim was
> > wearing very visible clothing. The motorbike was bright red (or some
> > other highly visible color ) . I don't recall if the motorbike had its
> > headlight on. But the conditions on the day in question gave perfect
> > visibility.
> >
> > The professor asked the class to explain it. The professor was
> > surprised when one person in the class, I myself, could actually begin
> > to explain it.
> >
>
> Some advice I heard early on that has helped me immensely is: if anyone hits
> you, FOR ANY REASON, it's because you let him. Knock on wood, I've been riding
> motorcycles and 10 speed bicycles since 1967 (or so) and the only time I was
> hit by a car was when I came to a complete stop on a Frejus track bike (1972),
> and a car hit my rear wheel because he never expected me to stop completely.
> Ruined a sew up rim, BTW. I was heading home, to get my car, to go on a date
> with a woman who was the love-of-my-life when I was 19.
> Stevan Thomas
> Alameda, CA
> pretend you are invisible!
I've been overtaken by darkness on some long rides and rode the last five or ten miles in total darkness through the suburbs. Great learning experience because you not only have to ride like you are invisible to traffic... you ARE invisible to traffic. I highly recommend the experience.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
.