That biking 6th sense

Today I had a close one, properly thought I was gonna be on my way to the hospital, after a bloke in a merc pulled out on me when i was doing about 40 mph (on a 40 mph road) - he didnt even stop at the junction (I think his windows were fogged up aswell). Anyway, It was odd - the moment it happened, I went for the brakes (like you do) but without even really registering, I released them then reapplied. A moment later it then dawned on me I did that because the front wheel had locked or at least was making the kinds of shapes a bike shouldnt.

So I was wondering how many other people have had this experiance, of doing something by instinct and only noticing after the event has occured. I don;t know how I did that, I'm not professing to being some kind of riding god or whatever, but I'm bloody glad that instinct, where ever I learnt it, kicked in.

As for that guy, he turned into the next junction (about 5 meters from the one he pulled out of) and I stopped a bit further on to catch my breath and let the burst of adrenaline get out of my body.

Looking back, I perhaps should have slowed down anyway to anticipate him pulling out. It was a two lane road, I can't recall if I had any room to flick into the right hand lane, but I do know I managed to move to the right of my lane (which may very well be why i didnt hit the merc).

This is the closest I've been to a crash and not actually crashing, a first time for me so I'm a little shaken and in slight disbelief I got away with it.

And angry with the driver for not being observant and never knowing I was so close

Thoughts please

Matt

I get it spookily often. I lost count during the summer when I backed off from a good old scratch for no apparent reason only to find a pile of horse poop/tractor/mud/pheasant/pedestrian/horse round the corner.

Each time it surprised me. It was as if I wasn't doing it, someone else was. The hazzard didn't surprise me, the fact that I'd backed off for the unknown hazzard did.

I clearly remember thinking "Why on earth did I slow down" ... "Oh, that's why"!

I didn't know there was anything there each time, and didn't even consider there was a problem other than general carefulness. But this was something else.

Maybe my guardian Angel?
On a regular 60 mile blast I managed to slow down for the only corner with a hazzard on it.. Every time! pegs down on every other corner. Without even thinging about it.

Wierd!

C

[the_lone_wolf]

I get it in the car as a passenger with a work colleague who shall remain nameless, I usually get enough time to say "watch the silver BMW it's about to do something stupid" and the driver has just enough time to turn to me saying "Huh?" before the BMW does a stupid and he's not looking

Lately I've taken to closing my eyes and praying...

I guess it is just good anticipation sense and road skills.

Know exactly what you mean about being in the car with some other drivers, lone wolf. I get this all the time with my wife, and probably with a few other people too. You pick up little clues from other road users (fogged up windows, lack of indicator use, wandering across lanes, kids in the back, all sorts of stuff) and it allows you to make predictions about their likely behaviour and how it might affect you. But there is a whole group of drivers (probably a majority actually) who have no skills at all in this area, and just proceed down the road how they were taught when they learnt to drive. Everything 'unusual' which happens to them on the road is totally unexpected as far as they were concerned.

I've found my '6th sense' has improved massively since riding a bike, but I like to think it was still pretty good as a car-only road user. After all, crashes in cars may not have such severe consequences as those on bikes but they are still generally unpleasant and worth using all your brainpower to avoid!

[rictus01]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Lately I've taken to closing my eyes and praying...

let the force guide you young wolf boy*


*Caution this is ment as a joke and the poster in no way endorses the use of "the force" as an adequate riding tool over good observation and judgment.


Cheers Mark.

I encouraged both our youngsters to have mopeds before cars for exactly that reason. Biking gives you a hightened sence of what folks in cars are going to do... and how to avoid them. It also makes you trigger sharp for the rozzers too. You'll spot them as a biker in a car far quicker than a car driver in a car.

Originally Posted by rictus01

*Caution this is ment as a joke and the poster in no way endorses the use of "the force" as an adequate riding tool over good observation and judgment.

I find your lack of faith disturbing.

[glang]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

I get it in the car as a passenger with a work colleague who shall remain nameless, I usually get enough time to say "watch the silver BMW it's about to do something stupid" and the driver has just enough time to turn to me saying "Huh?" before the BMW does a stupid and he's not looking

Lately I've taken to closing my eyes and praying...

I know drivers like that and Ive found that putting my hands on the dashboard and bowing my head into the crash position is more effective than saying anything when confronted by a dangerous situation!

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

I get it in the car as a passenger with a work colleague who shall remain nameless, I usually get enough time to say "watch the silver BMW it's about to do something stupid" and the driver has just enough time to turn to me saying "Huh?" before the BMW does a stupid and he's not looking

Lately I've taken to closing my eyes and praying...

Next time put your lid on before getting in the car, see if they get the hint!

[Bluepete]

If you have that certain something, then you are blessed. I have it, Mrs BP thinks I have a crystal ball (maybe becaue I chime as I walk) when I drive.

It is just like having the force with you. Premonition is a wonderfull thing, I just wish it extended to numbers between one a fifty on a Saturday!

It cannot be taught or learned, you either have it, or you don't.

Pete