And he lives to ride another day

Today (03/21/2008) around 6:50 I had a close call. Thank for the lady behind me I am ready to ride another day. Coming to work on 118 (Reagan Freeway – Los Angeles area) I was going about 50-55 in the fast lane. Suddenly break lights and the cars in front of me stop … no way to go right or left. Jump on the brakes (grabbed all what I could) and stopped the bike juts a couple of inches behind the car in from of me. I n the same time I heard (what we all fear ) the big bang than a big mass approaching in the rearview mirror and the minivan came just a couple of inches from my left feet (now planted and keeping the bike upright) ,she hit (touched) the center divider and stopped.

The good - Wheels never locked – was it ABS or my skills I do not know but I did lock wheels before and I know I am not that skillful so I think ABS helped a lot – no other bike without ABS for me .

As soon as we stopped and I got of the bike the driver of the minivan (she was hit from behind) asked me if I am OK and she said that she hoped that she can steer clear from me as many of her friend ride bikes.. . Well she drove a Honda so obviously a Honda cannot be taken out by a Honda- thank you lady !

Well from here is all formalities CHP, witness statements and so on… certainly I missed my freeway exit but made it to work and had a nice cup of coffee.

Keep safe !

 

wow man. That is the nightmare scenario. A situation that you are almost powerless in, stopped with feet down with cars in front of you and nowhere to go. Im glad you are ok!
Thank your karma and have a beer for those who werent as lucky!

 

You were pretty lucky today. Maybe you should buy some lottery tickets and the luck continue. Glad you're OK.
BTW, Ignore the movie of the close call playing over and over in your head. It'll go away in time.

 

What NeverlosT and eddievalleytrailer said...

 

I am glad you are O.K, My Little brother crash his Ducati last tuesday and broke his collar bone. Can not ride for 8 weeks Ouch At least he O.K
Have a cold beer for me when you get home.

 

Thank you guys, I already had my beer and thanked to everybody. Yes I will ride my bike home and go out for a nice ride tomorrow....

Riding a bike is taking calcuated risks but sometimes can do nothing about it. so yes I think my angel was there.

But the way; I vroke my clavicle last year around this time but with a bycicle accident and was up to a surgery and 12 weeks off of my VFR which had only 421 miles at that time (now about 6075)

 

When I went to Santa Barbara I rode through LA; I think I'll refrain from any more trips through LA, haha.

Sounds like one of those situations where splitting lanes would have been a good idea, no?

 

Well, I'll have a beer for you then! Very glad to you're ok. It's always in the back of your mind that something ugly could happen, especially on the freeway.

Again, good to hear you weren't hurt.

 

Glad your good. There is no better experience than that! You have gained more trust in yourself and especially more trust in your bike. You gotta love it... we all know that each of us will/have experienced these kind of moments. When you can walk away and look back at it, it's golden. :thumb:

 

Had a similar incident about 6 months back with the same ending. I have ABS too and swear it saved my life. Glad you made it out ok. In my case, I quit riding on the highway for about 2 weeks, just to be on the safe side.

 

Yeah tell that to Nicky Hayden!!!!!!

Glad it worked out for you!!!!!!!

 

I had to rode home so took the freeway, will go for a "twisty" ride tomorrow...and be back to commute on Monday.

 

I've seen this somewhere before...