Ok, so I was coming home from the girlie's place in packenham, cruising right on the limit on the M1, in the right-hand lane (there's a tricky spot along that strech, a subsidance or a pothole or something in the left hand lane heading into the city that's nearly sent me flying before. Was not going to risk hitting it in the dark), with a guy sitting behind me a safe distance, about 10,15 meters. He'd been sitting there for about 10 km so I was pretty happy about that. About 30 seconds after checking him out I get a flash of light in that same mirror and look just in time to see him speed past at about 130-145 on my right hand side (remembering I'm in the right hand lane of a 2 lane freeway, and not overly to the left hand line)... in the dark it seemed like he had maybe, maybe 10 cm of clearence as he went by, and as he passed I saw he was VERY close to hitting the grass on the right. One mistake from either of us and I would have spent the next few seconds sliding along on my leathers rather than my bike, and in who knows what kind of condition. So what about you guys? Horror stories? Close Calls? Pictures even? What have those 4 wheeler bastards nearly done to you?
I have had a couple of close calls I have had a car that I was sure that saw me pull out in front of me and as I was heading towards the gutter she suddenly stops in the middle of the road and give me a wave to say sorry. Had a 4X4 pull come out of a T intersection without looking only just managed to miss it and I did consider putting the boot into the passanger door but I was too busy trying not to come off. I have a mate that spent a month in hospital and is still in rehab after being hit by a car and his pillion also suffered serious injuries. He was on a trike in the middle of a group of 15. There was 2 cars stopped in the middle of the road one turning who must have turned his wheels while waiting. A third car hit them and knocked the first one into the side of my mate. You always need to keep an eye on what everyone else is doing around you. At least then you have a chance of getting out of trouble.
There are two main culprits to look out for: The woman in the 4WD (or pseudo 2WD) talking on the mobile phone, and... The 20 year old tradie with the falcon or commodore ute... Give both a very wide berth
About 2 weeks ago I was at at a T intersection waiting the lights to change, the light went green so I took off turning right. From my left, a car ran the red light and came straight at me and I think there was litterally centremeters between us, I took evasive action and veered into the oncoming traffic, I tried to swing back to my lane as there was a car coming at me, but the car that ran the red light sped up and blocked me off, I ended up on the white line with no where to go... scared the living poo out of me.. I was too shaken to even yell at her.... you can try and plan for the unexpected but all I can say is that I was super lucky that day. Chris
Strange you should say that. The one that almost got my boot in the side door was a soccer mum in a 4X4 Not sure if she was on the phone as well? That was too close for confort Chris
That does sound like a hairy moment Chris. As a postie, I have to look out for cars backing out of driveways at breakneck speeds - nearly got skittled just the other day. The other worry is little kids running out to see the postman, or li'l ol' ladies walking around the corner - I tell them I've not hit anyone yet. Honestly, I reckon I see a 4WD soccer mum do a U-turn without indicating every second day - most of them are on the phone - the more expensive the SUV/4WD, the more likely it is they'll not indicate. I've even had them overtake on the left of single lane roads - some people just got to get past the postie bike - even if it is going at the speed limit. You inevitably meet them at the next lights. Tell you what though - 4-6 hours on a bike every day sharpens up your awareness immensely.
Yeah, I've had a soccar mum pull into an intersection about 3-4 seconds after I've stopped, into the lane to my left. She's decided she too needed to make a right-hand turn, and tried to drive over the top of me. Had the lights not just changed a second after she began her murderous lane change, I'd probably have been squished. Still not convinced she wouldn't have done it had I been in a yarris or the like.
