Close encounter of the cager kind

This isn't really a lesson learned today, but certainly one reinforced.

Almost became a Buick hood ornament this afternoon.

Let me set the stage.

Conditions:
Overcast skies, but no precipitation. Road dry and clean. Temp ~68 degrees.

Roadway:
2 lane, residential feeder. Speed limit 30mph. No-passing zone, well marked pavement with double yellow line.

Traffic conditions:
Light traffic westbound, traffic coming eastbound is stopped in a line waiting to get into the school (just off the east edge of the map).

Map:




The red line are the stopped cars.
The green line is my path of travel, in a westerly direction
The blue line is the path of travel of the car in question, headed East.

Comments:
Although you can't see it from the image, the north side of the road coming into the S-curve is elevated, causing a significantly reduced sight-line.

As I approached the curve, noting the line of stopped cars, I slowed down to ~20 mph. As I rounded the curve in an Outside-Inside-Outside path, I encountered the oncoming car, which was taking up around 3/4 of my lane. I briefly braked, then swerved over to the far right side of my lane. For reasons I cannot fathom, the other driver honked at me, and then gave me the upraised middle finger salute as I passed (noted in my mirror).

Just a reinforcement of the SEE method, slowing prior to an anticipated trouble spot, and looking as far through the turn as possible. I believe that had I entered the turn at the speed limit, and not used an Outside-Inside-Outside line, I'd be writing this from the ER.

As an aside, I really wish the county would do something about that school pickup line - it is an accident waiting to happen. Fortunately, although it tried to happen to me today, it didn't.

Matt

Glad to hear you weren't some new jewelry for that buick. It seems that you took the MSF and this time it worked out well for you. ITs always good to slow down a bit when you see that you might be getting into a squeeze in traffic.

MSF and the Hough book, and reading lots of forum posts.

I actually thought to myself as I was headed into the curve and noting the stopped cars "if this doesn't have your attention, it should".

Matt

I had a similar experience the second time I went riding somewhere outside of my neighborhood. A late model Grand Prix was passing another car in a passing zone, but towards the crest of a hill, and I was coming over the other side. I had to shoulder it so the guy wouldn't cream me.

I have had many experiences where I was looking ahead of me and slowed down and avoided getting into a squeeze. Thinking two steps ahead of everyone else and always being aware keeps you a lot safer

geez, it's weird. Even though it didn't happen to me, I'm still kinda pisser'd off that the driver would flip the bird.

most definitely glad you came out of that incident ok. The honk seemed reasonable; like a 'oh crap! please watch out! i'm being a jerk off and hoggin' your lane!" But, the bird? why? what kind of logic would warrant a need to bird the rider? argergheragheagrg!

I guess my vote to sterilize stupidity is 'Yes'.
America voted in favor of Change. So, let's change the population of stupids to -5

geez, it's weird. Even though it didn't happen to me, I'm still kinda pisser'd off that the driver would flip the bird.

most definitely glad you came out of that incident ok. The honk seemed reasonable; like a 'oh crap! please watch out! i'm being a jerk off and hoggin' your lane!" But, the bird? why? what kind of logic would warrant a need to bird the rider? argergheragheagrg!

I guess my vote to sterilize stupidity is 'Yes'.
America voted in favor of Change. So, let's change the population of stupids to -5

I had a similar experience when someone nearly ran me off the road and had the nerve to flip me the bird and start yelling.

Things like this happen all the time unfortunately, it part of being a biker. We just have to be extra vigilant out there on the roads. Glad you are ok though and able to post this from home, not a hospital bed.

Ride safe :)

The main road into the neighborhood I live in is a narrow s curve,and for whatever reason cagers that are leaving act like it's a one way road and take up the entire lane.There has been more than one time I was glad I was in my jeep because I had to drive off the road to avoid a head on collision. On the bike I wait to see if anyone is coming the other way before commiting to the turn.

i would be furious...that is asinine... i agree with the sterilization of stupidity...(unfortunately for me, i may be counted in that lot...uh oh!)
good cautionary tale.
glad you aren't hurt,...keep riding safe.
c