Why so many crashes lately?

Geez, I've been riding (both motorcycles and bicycles) the local roads for
years (40 or so), and it's only lately that I can't go out on a ride to the
coast without seeing someone messed up. Last Sunday it was someone who'd
folded the front of his motorcycle into the back near the section of 84
about 3 miles west of Skyline (just before the recently-rebuilt section
where the stoplight used to be). Friday is was the same stretch of road, a
mile or so up, and we came across some guy dusting himself off and all the
plastic on the left side of his machine gone. Today it was on the descent to
Pescadero (Haskins Grade), where it looks like the guy missed the turn
completely, with the motorcycle over the edge, still upright, run into the
bushes, and the pilot apparently ejected near a tree (also out of sight from
the road). All of these accidents happened within minutes of when I came
across them, leading me to wonder how many more there might be. Another one
several Sundays ago up on Skyline at the Christmas Tree farm (between Page
Mill & Highway 9).

Is anyone else noticing this, or am I just in the right places at the wrong
time? I really don't recall it being like this before. You'd get the
once-weekly guy running his bike into a tree on Skyline, but it was
something you read about, maybe saw the Sheriff & Fire Department heading
to, but rarely saw yourself. Not anymore?

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

 

Nah, it's here in San Diego too. Summertime riders, out of practice, new
riders, inexperience.

Last weekend a couple riding their Harleys in Fallbrook crashed when the
man turned inexplicably right in front of his wife, and she died.
Everybody wants to run out and be Easy Rider this time of year, which
makes it that much more dangerous for the rest of us.

Me, Fallbrook, old 395 last Friday, two idiots on Harleys decided to
share the road with me, one in front, one right next to me, sharing my
lane on a two lane road. Let off throttle, faded back a bit to get me
some road room. It's the season for barbecues, picnics, and roadburger!

--
Barb "That's Captain Barbossa to you!"
Chaplain, ARSCC (wdne)
It's Poodlin' Time!

“I think that the protections that we enjoy for freedom of worship exist
so long as we don’t step over the line. When religious worship and
belief cross over into things like fraud, victimization of others and
the disruption of the political arena, that protection is no longer
appropriate.”

--Robert Goff
Professor Emeritus, UCSC

 

You got that right. Think deer, bugs and new riders,
all of them out there just itching for something to splat
themselves into. Try not to let it be you.

 

I suspect the price of petrol is also a factor -- I've seen a
proliferation of 2 wheelers (mostly scooters) in my neighborhood, and
it's almost certain that a significant number of these are new riders
trying to give their SUVs some garage time.

Rich, Urban Biker

 

"Why so many crashes lately?" Cuz I'm praying for them that's why. I
believe in the power of prayer. I pray and tell the lord everyday that
every bitch and son of a bitch on a bike other than a quiet BMW
deserves the mangled destiny they get thank you very much. What goes
around comes around. Now if only the urban scum on four wheels who
spew with a boom box would drive off the cliffs with you, then all
would be well in Mudville. Happy trails you belligerent sumbitches.

-BdN-

 

A truly efficient deity would simply grant you deafness.

 

He eventually does, if you regularly pray in a loud environment.

 

lol.

 

Oh, absolutely! Unfortunately, motorcycles are not a real viable
alternative to a SUV unless the rider is willing to put time into
learning how to do it right.

The self-correcting factor tends to have lethal consequences.

--
Barb "That's Captain Barbossa to you!"
Chaplain, ARSCC (wdne)
It's Poodlin' Time!

“I think that the protections that we enjoy for freedom of worship exist
so long as we don’t step over the line. When religious worship and
belief cross over into things like fraud, victimization of others and
the disruption of the political arena, that protection is no longer
appropriate.”

--Robert Goff
Professor Emeritus, UCSC

 

Well, who cares about "someone else?" Not those SUV drivers, if their
"driving" is anything to go by. A lot of them seem to think their job is
simply to get there, and everyone else's job is to stay out of their way.

--
Barb "That's Captain Barbossa to you!"
Chaplain, ARSCC (wdne)
It's Poodlin' Time!

“I think that the protections that we enjoy for freedom of worship exist
so long as we don’t step over the line. When religious worship and
belief cross over into things like fraud, victimization of others and
the disruption of the political arena, that protection is no longer
appropriate.”

--Robert Goff
Professor Emeritus, UCSC