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Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...

 
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Clive
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Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« on: January 25, 2007, 08:03:46 PM »

Executive summary: as soon as I pat myself on the back, I sprain my arm.

I have a motorcycle, and I ride whenever I can.  That means I basically ride all the time.  Anyway, it will come as a surprise to some of you, but I am what they call "anal retentive".  Knowing the bike is more dangerous than a car (because I've researched it, of course), I do lots of things to mitigate that increased risk.  My bike is red, and I wear this helmet and this one-piece riding suit:



The helmet is especially visible (the optic yellow and its height, as my head is taller than minivan roofs when riding).

As if all that weren't enough, I have a modulator gizmo rigged inline with one of my dual low-beam bulbs, which device flashes the beam four times per second.  There's actually some debate among motorcyclists regarding modulators.  Those who hate them (largely because they look dorky, I suspect) claim that those who run them get complacent and lazy, relying on gadgetry to protect them instead of staying alert and keeping their riding skills sharp.

So I'm thinking about the modulator as I ride in to work this morning, and how I have not had a single vehicle pull across my path since installing it several months ago.  That reminds me of the naysayers, and I quickly assess my approach to riding over those months, decide I have not slacked off, but nonetheless remind myself to be ever watchful for the brain-dead.  Then I return to thinking about how effective that little electronic device has been for me.

Not 30 seconds later, a full-size pickup pulls out in front of me at close range.  Nothing blocking his view of me, his head had been pointed my way moments before he pulled out, but ... he apparently never saw me in all my red-with-flashing-halogen-light glory.

Our story ends happily.  Having just reminded myself to be careful, I saw him waiting to make his left, slowed a little and covered the brake lever, and then nailed the brakes when he did pull out.  He never stopped or even slowed.  Fortunately, I've also been practicing the quick middle finger extension, which technique I employed with martial crispness.
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spacey
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2007, 08:09:24 PM »

Do the asschaps fit over that cute jumpsuit?

Oh yeah, and be careful out there, I don't know if people refuse to see motorcycles or they just assume you're more maneuverable so they don't have to give you the same berth.
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stroh
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2007, 08:15:50 PM »

Wow!  Glad to hear you're ok!  As an ex-rider, I try to be vigilant for bikes.

BTW, in respect to your middle finger extension "crispness" training, you spelled marital wrong.  Lost me on what that has to do with the story, but whatever.
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Clive
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2007, 08:17:44 PM »

BTW, in respect to your middle finger extension "crispness" training, you spelled marital wrong.  Lost me on what that has to do with the story, but whatever.
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Torpedo
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2007, 08:44:11 PM »

Glad your okay. Smiley
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Uisce Beatha
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2007, 08:51:06 PM »

Clive's Big Adventure



Be careful out there kids.  It's a dangerous world.
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"If you're darker than a caramel, Reverend Al speaks for you." - Aasif Mandvi
"Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man: no time to talk." - stroh
Spanky
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #6 on: January 25, 2007, 08:53:03 PM »

dude, I've been drinking and you lost me afer Executive.

BTW glad you're OK.
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stroh
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2007, 08:55:39 PM »

........... you lost me afer Executive.

Yeah, that's Clive.  He always asks for "The Executive".
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Dunk
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2007, 11:07:59 PM »

A sprained arm is just an excuse for sandbagging. Devil
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Eagleone
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2007, 11:39:45 PM »

No doubt a very heart thumping moment.  Can't say I don't blame you for the extension of the middle digit -- having the possibility of one's life snuffed due to the stupidity of others can do it. 

I picked up on of these the other day -- looks dorky but guess I'd also trying to be seen. 

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Dunk
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #10 on: January 26, 2007, 01:11:59 AM »

That is a flashy looking helmet though.
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Jules
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2007, 02:40:55 AM »

I am glad that you are okay!!! Grin Grin Grin

Yes you are a big manly man riding a red (they go faster!! Grin) motorbike!!! Grin

This does not explain why you have a picture of a man doing his ironing in your motel room for your avatar!!!!! Shocked Shocked Shocked Grin Grin Grin
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birdymaker
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2007, 03:05:31 AM »

yeah, alert every second is almost not enough. i am a little confused though. i don't know what the hell that thing is you are riding, a motorcycle looks like this.
 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv


* sp_straightshotshs_so.jpg (91.89 KB, 800x600 - viewed 142 times.)
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women are like tornados. In the beginning there's a lot of sucking and blowing. In the end, the car's gone, the house is gone..
Eagleone
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #13 on: January 26, 2007, 04:14:39 AM »

yeah, alert every second is almost not enough. i am a little confused though. i don't know what the hell that thing is you are riding, a motorcycle looks like this.
 vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
or this
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Teed
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Re: Just When I Thought I Was Safe ...
« Reply #14 on: January 26, 2007, 05:59:41 AM »

Clive,

Glad to hear that you didn't take a tumble.  I can relate to your situation.  I wasn't as lucky a couple of months back.
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8 is Enough!
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