Almost a close call

[LazinCajun]

So I just got back from a ride on my favorite country highway. It's a 2 lane road with a 60 mph speed limit. There was moderate traffic in both lanes, particularly the opposite lane.

I was coming around a moderate right hand curve with enough foliage to block the view of the exit, and I come around to not one, but TWO cars back to back making a pass in my lane across a double yellow. Mind you, there was enough traffic in the other lane that I wasn't sure they could both get back in their lane. Why they were passing here right before a blind curve is beyond me. Luckily, I spotted them early enough to move onto the shoulder and they managed to get back in. It maybe wasn't close enough to call it a close call per se, but it definitely got my heart pumping and my butt puckered.

If I had been in the same spot 3-5 seconds earlier, I'd be on my way to the ER about now, if not the morgue.

[cnichols79us]

Ugh. Glad you made it out ok and good job keeping your eyes Open to Danger!

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by LazinCajun

So I just got back from a ride on my favorite country highway. It's a 2 lane road with a 60 mph speed limit. There was moderate traffic in both lanes, particularly the opposite lane.

I was coming around a moderate right hand curve with enough foliage to block the view of the exit, and I come around to not one, but TWO cars back to back making a pass in my lane across a double yellow. Mind you, there was enough traffic in the other lane that I wasn't sure they could both get back in their lane. Why they were passing here right before a blind curve is beyond me. Luckily, I spotted them early enough to move onto the shoulder and they managed to get back in. It maybe wasn't close enough to call it a close call per se, but it definitely got my heart pumping and my butt puckered.

If I had been in the same spot 3-5 seconds earlier, I'd be on my way to the ER about now, if not the morgue.

Enough said

[OldGuy]

Lesson for us all - heads up and look down the road playing what if with yourself. Glad you're OK Trey.

[BlueRaven]

glad you spotted the danger in time and was able to avoid it

[komohana]

Originally Posted by OldGuy

Lesson for us all - heads up and look down the road playing what if with yourself. Glad you're OK Trey.

i'll second that

glad you're here to tell us about it

[LazinCajun]

I keep going over this in my mind. The curve was more of a sweeper than an actual curve (hey, it's Florida after all). I took a pretty standard line around it, but I was near the apex when i spotted them. If I had been further to the outside, I would've seen them a little earlier, but there's no way I could've gotten to the shoulder as quickly.

I'm thinking I might just start hugging the white line all the way around on lazy curves on 2 way streets from now on. Thoughts?

[OldGuy]

Originally Posted by LazinCajun

I'm thinking I might just start hugging the white line all the way around on lazy curves on 2 way streets from now on. Thoughts?

I think I would keep a normal line and just ride heads-up like you were. I'm not going to try and draw this out but visualize a sweeper, place your bike tight to the dividing line and then think about what oncoming traffic can see. If there are vehicles in front of them (especially a TRUCK) you will be hidden by the traffic for a longer period of time; keep a normal line or to the outside and they could potentially see you sooner.

Just a thought.

[revstriker]

Good eye. Glad that it worked out for you.

And I think we all know what that "heart pounding" feeling is like.

[kevlarorc]

whew that would make me pucker too. two days ago I was going down an alley behind some retail stores where the loading docks are. I got to the end of the alley where you have to make a left turn and go out toward the parking lot along the side of the building and right when I got to the corner a semi comes around the outside of the corner. It scared the #$@# out of me but luckily we were both going slow enough to stop.