No Matter What, Keep Your Head

Slo'Poke · 09-14-2009

"I'm SCREEEEEEE-MIN In The Rain! Just SCREEEEEEE-MIN In The Rain!!!"

That take on the 1952 Gene Kelly musical is entirely appropriate! Last night was the recent close call in my riding time, and even after all these years of riding, I was still able to take away from it a crucial lesson, not to mention being reminded of some old ones.

It was raining over the weekend here in the San Francisco area, courtesy of a tropical depression from the Pacific, but yesterday morning, there seemed to be an apparent break. As I was scheduled to work a double-shift, I opted to leave the car to the wife and take the cycle in. I stress that there SEEMED to be a break in the weather - I didn't check.

Obvious Mistake Number One. Note to self: When the weather is a question mark, always check for the forecast, dummy!

And since work is only eight minutes away by freeway, I chose to bring the half-lid and goggles...

Obvious Mistake Number Two (personal preferences aside, folks). If the weather is questionable and a FF is available, bring the FF!

So anyhoo, the weather more or less cooperates throughout the day, and had this been a standard shift, I would've been fine. BUT, no more than an hour into the second shift (I kid you not... Murphy really sacked me on this one), the highly-saturated tail-end of the storm made landfall. I'm sitting in my work truck shaking my head as the drops start smacking windshield.

That was 3pm, and it didn't seem to let up. By eight, I'm looking formulating my alternate plans. Called the wife to see if she's available, but she's out with friends and nowhere close - scratch that. So now to realistic backups. If it's still raining by the time I leave, I stick to the side roads enroute to home, and if it's raining real hard, I wait it out.

At 9p, one hour prior to end of shift, the rain stops. I can see a star or two in small holes in the skies. Cool Deal! If it stays this way, I can take it straight home via US101 like I always do. 9:20p comes and it's still no rain. 9:40p - same. At 10p, I bid my co-workers farewell and fire up the Vulcan. A few minutes later, I'm humming along down US101 doing 65-ish for home, using the #2 lane (second from left) on a four-lane strip.

In order, the exits I pass while homebound are Millbrae, Broadway, Poplar, afterwhich I take 3rd Av to get off the freeway. I was maybe half a mile or two past Millbrae when someone unzipped the bottom of a cloud over my head. It goes from nothing to everything in about twenty seconds.

Time to exit. Slowly, I make my way to the right lane for Broadway Exit. As I do so, my goggles are fogging up, making it difficult to see. With one quick flick of the hand, I knock them off to let them hang on my neck, then duck a little behind the screen. Noticing that the visibility behind the screen is not much better than thru the goggles, I inch up a hint so my line of sight is just above the edge. It's about here that I make it to the #4 far-right lane.

I forgot that US101 has been undergoing a paving project in the recent months, and that in the southbound direction, they haven't quite finished the #4 lane. It's old pavement here, and while water is draining adequately from the #1 thru #3 lanes, it's pooling like an SOB in #4.

Perhaps an 1/8th of a mile from the exit, a vehicle cuts it a little close as it merges into the #4 in front of me, and when he does, he goes thru a puddle. As I'm slowly down, I suddently am presented with a wall of spray illuminated to near white in the beam of my headlight...

and I'm still peering over the top of the screen, and I'm still not wearing goggles!

The spray smacks me right at eye level, and the outside world becomes nothing more than a blur. The initial memories are fuzzy, but I know that in that instant, I was as fearful for my well-being as I've ever been! I'm still doing freeway speed, in close proxity of cages, and I can't see a damn thing! I could've pee'd myself right then and there. Hell, I probably for all I know - the rain had soaked me from head so completely, it's difficult to tell. *haha*

The first distinct memory I have after the sloppy wet slap is feeling a bump from beneath, then another. Those would prove to be the reflectors. I'm drifting all over the place. I nudge on the right grip, but a little too hard. I feel the tail of the bike begin to fishtail! This is the part where I take a spill and then get run over, right?! I'm experiencing full-blown panic, certain that this is not going to end well for me.

I don't know how that inner voice in my head found the strength, but it really boomed in my head at the very moment. CALM DOWN! DUCK DOWN! LOOK LEFT! CALM DOWN! DUCK DOWN! LOOK LEFT! It was a mantra, probably something I took from this forum (thank you all), and kept echoing in my brain, over and over again!

Calm down... perhaps. But I did duck down for sure and craned my head to the left. I see a car right there, and it seems to be slowing up to give me room. I ease my grip on the bar and slowly start to let off the throttle, allowing the tires to reassert their grips on the road. She straightens up nicely, but I'm veering to the right, now. An ever-so-slight nudge on the the left grip... watch the divider line! Maintain a relative distance!

By now, things are under control, so I glance forward. No cars close by in front of me. My spedometer shows I'm only doing a hint over 30. I also notice that I've missed the Broadway exit. Check the mirrors... a car is now sliding in from behind, and it's flashing it's lights. Is that the guy I saw to my left a second ago? What's the driver want?

I need to get off this freeway. The rain isn't letting up, and my nerves are all but gone. Lightly tapping the brake (more for signal purposes than for slowing down), I let up on the throttle a bit further and let the bike drift to the shoulder. The car behind be flashes it's lights twice again, and it's here that I realize that the person that was to my left a second ago knows I'm in trouble and is trying to run interference for me. Her hazards are on and the cars are stacked up behind her.

I get to the shoulder and finally stop, pulling it as far to the right as possible. I put her in neutral, put the kickstand down, hop off, then lean up against the far wall. The car following me also stops, and that's when the lady inside checks on me. I assure her I'm fine and just need to get my bearings. She tells me that she'll wait until I leave before she does.

In retrospect, that was precisely what I needed, and I'm truly grateful for this unknown woman's help. The rain slackend some ten minutes later, and it was then that I decided to take it on the shoulder to Poplar Exit. She followed me the entire way, hazards on, until I was completely off the road. Then with a toot of her horn, she did a U-turn and returned to the freeway. Thank you, unknown lady!

So what did I learn from this - Panic certainly does not help a rider in any situation! I've had incidents before, but they've occurred so quickly that I didn't have time to panic - the situation was over before it could develop. But in this scenario, panic did indeed creep into my head, and I'm 100% certain that if I hadn't put it in check, I would've been lucky indeed to relate some other kind of post from a hospital bed.

PS - apologies for a longish post.

Charlie Gary · 09-14-2009

Glad you made it home to type this! I never have been a fan of goggles....

THRILLA · 09-14-2009

You found an Angel driving a "cage".

1fastZx7r · 09-17-2009

Amazing story man, glad to hear you made it back alive safe and sound and I agree with Thrilla, that was an Angel driving a "cage"

maneyack · 09-18-2009

Wow glad you made it home!

Also glad you have a way with words. I started reading this and thought man it's going to be long but I got sucked in and before I knew it was over! Great recap...and advice!

Charlie Gary · 09-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by maneyack

Wow glad you made it home!

Also glad you have a way with words. I started reading this and thought man it's going to be long but I got sucked in and before I knew it was over! Great recap...and advice!

A narrative from Slo'Poke is always a good read. Sometimes I wonder if he doesn't write for money on the side.

Hot Cruiser · 09-18-2009

Great story - fantastic lady who looked out for you! I used to live in Redwood City and commute to downtown San Francisco on my bike via 101. My shift ended at midnight and I had to ride home with the drunks on the freeway, a real battle especially when the rain poured down. Lots of times I would have been very happy to have an angel like the one you had!

lugchislo · 09-18-2009

I'm very interested! I would love to find out more inforamtion related to this topic. Thanks in advance.
me too, I need more detailed info

Charlie Gary · 09-19-2009

Is it just me, or does the post from lugchislo have the odor of cheap ham byproduct?

jbsmd · 09-19-2009

I don't even like being on those roads in the day, much less in the dark, and rain to boot. Sorry but that's just nuts. Everyone is tired and with the rain they just want to get home quick. Lucky you.

redcap · 09-20-2009

Three cheers for the cager!

Thanks for the post and glad that you are okay.

76brian · 09-21-2009

Wow... close call. I woulda been scared sh*tless. Very glad to be reading the happy ending instead of the other possible ending!

09-14-2009	#1 (permalink)
Slo'Poke Own The Day Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 2,803	No Matter What, Keep Your Head "I'm SCREEEEEEE-MIN In The Rain! Just SCREEEEEEE-MIN In The Rain!!!" That take on the 1952 Gene Kelly musical is entirely appropriate! Last night was the recent close call in my riding time, and even after all these years of riding, I was still able to take away from it a crucial lesson, not to mention being reminded of some old ones. It was raining over the weekend here in the San Francisco area, courtesy of a tropical depression from the Pacific, but yesterday morning, there seemed to be an apparent break. As I was scheduled to work a double-shift, I opted to leave the car to the wife and take the cycle in. I stress that there SEEMED to be a break in the weather - I didn't check. Obvious Mistake Number One. Note to self: When the weather is a question mark, always check for the forecast, dummy! And since work is only eight minutes away by freeway, I chose to bring the half-lid and goggles... Obvious Mistake Number Two (personal preferences aside, folks). If the weather is questionable and a FF is available, bring the FF! So anyhoo, the weather more or less cooperates throughout the day, and had this been a standard shift, I would've been fine. BUT, no more than an hour into the second shift (I kid you not... Murphy really sacked me on this one), the highly-saturated tail-end of the storm made landfall. I'm sitting in my work truck shaking my head as the drops start smacking windshield. That was 3pm, and it didn't seem to let up. By eight, I'm looking formulating my alternate plans. Called the wife to see if she's available, but she's out with friends and nowhere close - scratch that. So now to realistic backups. If it's still raining by the time I leave, I stick to the side roads enroute to home, and if it's raining real hard, I wait it out. At 9p, one hour prior to end of shift, the rain stops. I can see a star or two in small holes in the skies. Cool Deal! If it stays this way, I can take it straight home via US101 like I always do. 9:20p comes and it's still no rain. 9:40p - same. At 10p, I bid my co-workers farewell and fire up the Vulcan. A few minutes later, I'm humming along down US101 doing 65-ish for home, using the #2 lane (second from left) on a four-lane strip. In order, the exits I pass while homebound are Millbrae, Broadway, Poplar, afterwhich I take 3rd Av to get off the freeway. I was maybe half a mile or two past Millbrae when someone unzipped the bottom of a cloud over my head. It goes from nothing to everything in about twenty seconds. Time to exit. Slowly, I make my way to the right lane for Broadway Exit. As I do so, my goggles are fogging up, making it difficult to see. With one quick flick of the hand, I knock them off to let them hang on my neck, then duck a little behind the screen. Noticing that the visibility behind the screen is not much better than thru the goggles, I inch up a hint so my line of sight is just above the edge. It's about here that I make it to the #4 far-right lane. I forgot that US101 has been undergoing a paving project in the recent months, and that in the southbound direction, they haven't quite finished the #4 lane. It's old pavement here, and while water is draining adequately from the #1 thru #3 lanes, it's pooling like an SOB in #4. Perhaps an 1/8th of a mile from the exit, a vehicle cuts it a little close as it merges into the #4 in front of me, and when he does, he goes thru a puddle. As I'm slowly down, I suddently am presented with a wall of spray illuminated to near white in the beam of my headlight... *and I'm still peering over the top of the screen, and I'm still not wearing goggles!* The spray smacks me right at eye level, and the outside world becomes nothing more than a blur. The initial memories are fuzzy, but I know that in that instant, I was as fearful for my well-being as I've ever been! I'm still doing freeway speed, in close proxity of cages, and I can't see a damn thing! I could've pee'd myself right then and there. Hell, I probably for all I know - the rain had soaked me from head so completely, it's difficult to tell. haha The first distinct memory I have after the sloppy wet slap is feeling a bump from beneath, then another. Those would prove to be the reflectors. I'm drifting all over the place. I nudge on the right grip, but a little too hard. I feel the tail of the bike begin to fishtail! This is the part where I take a spill and then get run over, right?! I'm experiencing full-blown panic, certain that this is not going to end well for me. I don't know how that inner voice in my head found the strength, but it really boomed in my head at the very moment. CALM DOWN! DUCK DOWN! LOOK LEFT! CALM DOWN! DUCK DOWN! LOOK LEFT! It was a mantra, probably something I took from this forum (thank you all), and kept echoing in my brain, over and over again! Calm down... perhaps. But I did duck down for sure and craned my head to the left. I see a car right there, and it seems to be slowing up to give me room. I ease my grip on the bar and slowly start to let off the throttle, allowing the tires to reassert their grips on the road. She straightens up nicely, but I'm veering to the right, now. An ever-so-slight nudge on the the left grip... watch the divider line! Maintain a relative distance! By now, things are under control, so I glance forward. No cars close by in front of me. My spedometer shows I'm only doing a hint over 30. I also notice that I've missed the Broadway exit. Check the mirrors... a car is now sliding in from behind, and it's flashing it's lights. Is that the guy I saw to my left a second ago? What's the driver want? I need to get off this freeway. The rain isn't letting up, and my nerves are all but gone. Lightly tapping the brake (more for signal purposes than for slowing down), I let up on the throttle a bit further and let the bike drift to the shoulder. The car behind be flashes it's lights twice again, and it's here that I realize that the person that was to my left a second ago knows I'm in trouble and is trying to run interference for me. Her hazards are on and the cars are stacked up behind her. I get to the shoulder and finally stop, pulling it as far to the right as possible. I put her in neutral, put the kickstand down, hop off, then lean up against the far wall. The car following me also stops, and that's when the lady inside checks on me. I assure her I'm fine and just need to get my bearings. She tells me that she'll wait until I leave before she does. In retrospect, that was precisely what I needed, and I'm truly grateful for this unknown woman's help. The rain slackend some ten minutes later, and it was then that I decided to take it on the shoulder to Poplar Exit. She followed me the entire way, hazards on, until I was completely off the road. Then with a toot of her horn, she did a U-turn and returned to the freeway. Thank you, unknown lady! So what did I learn from this - Panic certainly does not help a rider in any situation! I've had incidents before, but they've occurred so quickly that I didn't have time to panic - the situation was over before it could develop. But in this scenario, panic did indeed creep into my head, and I'm 100% certain that if I hadn't put it in check, I would've been lucky indeed to relate some other kind of post from a hospital bed. PS - apologies for a longish post. __________________ Slo'Poke Alex *'06 Vulcan 900 Classic* Past - '06 Ninja 650R, '03 Vulcan 500 LTD, '91 Shadow VLX

09-14-2009	#2 (permalink)
Charlie Gary Loud Pipes Keep Me Awake Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Near Seattle Posts: 1,231	Glad you made it home to type this! I never have been a fan of goggles.... __________________ Later, Charlie ----------------------------------------- I like women plain, not battered.

09-14-2009	#3 (permalink)
THRILLA Retired High Miler Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: vancouver bc Posts: 1,165	You found an Angel driving a "cage". __________________ "The real cycle you're working on is a cycle called yourself." Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

09-18-2009	#7 (permalink)
Hot Cruiser Politicians' Nightmare BTK Expert Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Coastal Oregon Posts: 977	Great story - fantastic lady who looked out for you! I used to live in Redwood City and commute to downtown San Francisco on my bike via 101. My shift ended at midnight and I had to ride home with the drunks on the freeway, a real battle especially when the rain poured down. Lots of times I would have been very happy to have an angel like the one you had! __________________ Jim '07 Vulcan 900 Classic LT Jesus is Lord

09-18-2009	#8 (permalink)
lugchislo Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	I'm very interested! I would love to find out more inforamtion related to this topic. Thanks in advance. me too, I need more detailed info __________________ Tattoo removal cream \| No laser and best prices and cost

09-17-2009	#4 (permalink)
1fastZx7r Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 25	Amazing story man, glad to hear you made it back alive safe and sound and I agree with Thrilla, that was an Angel driving a "cage"

09-18-2009	#5 (permalink)
maneyack Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cherokee, NC Posts: 36	Wow glad you made it home! Also glad you have a way with words. I started reading this and thought man it's going to be long but I got sucked in and before I knew it was over! Great recap...and advice!

09-19-2009	#9 (permalink)
Charlie Gary Loud Pipes Keep Me Awake Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Near Seattle Posts: 1,231	Is it just me, or does the post from lugchislo have the odor of cheap ham byproduct? __________________ Later, Charlie ----------------------------------------- I like women plain, not battered.

09-19-2009	#10 (permalink)
jbsmd nu2kawi Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Antioch, Ca. Posts: 2,631	I don't even like being on those roads in the day, much less in the dark, and rain to boot. Sorry but that's just nuts. Everyone is tired and with the rain they just want to get home quick. Lucky you. __________________ 07, Z1000 01, XVS1100LC Yam cust.

09-20-2009	#11 (permalink)
redcap Highly caffeinated BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Idaho, USA Posts: 432	Three cheers for the cager! Thanks for the post and glad that you are okay. __________________ 97 VULCAN 800 CLASSIC 07 HD SPORTSTER XL883 LOW

09-21-2009	#12 (permalink)
76brian Back in the saddle! Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: Russell, Ontario (Ottawa) Posts: 2,271	Wow... close call. I woulda been scared shtless. Very glad to be reading the happy ending instead of the other possible ending! __________________ '91 Vulcan EN500A2 '98 KLF 300 4X4 "ssǝɔɔns sɐ pıp noʎ ʇɐɥʍ ǝuıɟǝpǝɹ `pǝǝɔɔns ʇ,uop noʎ ʇsɹıɟ ʇɐ ɟı"*

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