Well, I just had the closest almost-accident of my riding career! 
I left work early to get things ready for a 13 hour drive back to IL. I was traveling in the right lane, and there was a dump truck about a 1/2 mile ahead of me, going slow in the left lane. A pickup truck turns into the left lane and starts to split both lanes, but finally chooses the left lane. Since the dump truck is going slow, the pickup truck is closing in on the dumper. I'm starting to make my way passed the pickup when I can tell he is going to cut me off. I start to ease my way to the far right side of my lane as I'm coming in line with the bed of the truck.
Sure enough, the pickup driver doesn't look over his shoulder and has to swerve to avoid hitting the dumper. :spank: In one smooth motion, I pulled in the clutch, covered and applied both brakes, down-shifted all the way to first, honked my horn, lost the rear tire in the sand/dirt and gravel at the road's edge, and felt the back end walk out to the right!!
At this point, I've got about a 30 degree angle between the front and rear tire, and I'm getting very close to the curb. I'm now in line with the passenger door of the truck and he realizes he's f'ed up and skids back into his lane. I ride the rear skid out of the slide and proceed on my way home to clean my pants and finish going number 2.
I kept my cool the whole time and didn't panic. I saw the threat before it happened and was able to prepare for it. Situational awareness saves lives!
I just hope this isn't an indicator of how the 13 hour drive to IL is going to go.
I left work early to get things ready for a 13 hour drive back to IL. I was traveling in the right lane, and there was a dump truck about a 1/2 mile ahead of me, going slow in the left lane. A pickup truck turns into the left lane and starts to split both lanes, but finally chooses the left lane. Since the dump truck is going slow, the pickup truck is closing in on the dumper. I'm starting to make my way passed the pickup when I can tell he is going to cut me off. I start to ease my way to the far right side of my lane as I'm coming in line with the bed of the truck.
Sure enough, the pickup driver doesn't look over his shoulder and has to swerve to avoid hitting the dumper. :spank: In one smooth motion, I pulled in the clutch, covered and applied both brakes, down-shifted all the way to first, honked my horn, lost the rear tire in the sand/dirt and gravel at the road's edge, and felt the back end walk out to the right!!
At this point, I've got about a 30 degree angle between the front and rear tire, and I'm getting very close to the curb. I'm now in line with the passenger door of the truck and he realizes he's f'ed up and skids back into his lane. I ride the rear skid out of the slide and proceed on my way home to clean my pants and finish going number 2.
I kept my cool the whole time and didn't panic. I saw the threat before it happened and was able to prepare for it. Situational awareness saves lives!
I just hope this isn't an indicator of how the 13 hour drive to IL is going to go.
