Zen of motorcycling

Anthony_marr · July 5th, 2009, 07:42 PM

Sometimes fate, or is it luck, deals you a surprising hand, and when you eye your winning, you wonder why you deserve it. I was dealt such a hand on the 4th of July, though this is Vancouver, BC, Canada. I was on Main Street, heading north towards the Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains, when something intervened which probably saved my life. And it had something to do with motorcycling.

My destination was downtown, and I had in mind to go straight on Main St., and left on Hastings which ends downtown. But when I was approaching 33rd Ave., I thought about Queen Elizabeth Park on 33rd and Cambie St., a beautiful urban park on it's own hill, with lots of twisties. In my car, or were I in a hurry on my bike, I would have gone straight up Main, but being on my bike and no urgent task to perform, I thought of the park, and made a snap decision to turn left on 33rd for a little fun-interlude before heading north on Cambie and take the Cambie Bridge downtown. Originally I was in the right lane, so I switched over to the left. Upon arrival at the 33rd Ave intersection, I stopped at the red light behind one car with its left-turn signal blinking. In my place at the head of the right lane was a Mazda Miata. The light turned green, but due to approaching oncoming traffic, the car in front of me stayed put, while in the right lane, the Miata zoomed forward, as I would have done were I there in its place. A flash of white from left to right across my field of vision, a metallic crash, and the Miata was totaled by an SUV from the left running its red light.

The SUV driver was stunned by his air bag, but otherwise facing nothing more lethal than a traffic citation, but the Miata driver had to be carried on a stretcher into an ambulance. And this Ninja ZZR250 rider made his witness report, rode somberly to the park, parked down his bike, and sat on a park bench facing a pond full of ducks, wondering what the hell just happened and why.

noche_caliente · July 5th, 2009, 07:57 PM

glad you're ok - must have been scary to witness!

Anthony_marr · July 5th, 2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

glad you're ok - must have been scary to witness!

Thank you, Kim. If I did not change lanes, I would have been broadsided by the SUV. Impact speed about 40 mph on his part. My estimate is: left leg shattered, hip broken, left rib cage caved in, left shoulder dislocated, head snacked on the hood, back bone and neck not certain. The driver of the Miata probably sustained similar injuries, though probably less severe. He could have been the one watching my demolition.

ScorpionNinja · July 5th, 2009, 08:48 PM

Man close call dude.

glad your ok man!
Heh... did you see any "Signs" like in Final Destination?

Anthony_marr · July 5th, 2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScorpionNinja

Man close call dude.

glad your ok man!
Heh... did you see any "Signs" like in Final Destination?

Nope, no sign. But maybe the incident itself was a sign?

Chamus57 · July 5th, 2009, 09:22 PM

Glad you missed it and are ok. I have had similar situations where something told me not to go or do what i normally do. Sometimes i think i have a angel or two watching me. If there is one thing i have learned from riding it's to trust my instincts. Even when i am in the car, "Don't feel kewl enough to say cage yet", i see things that i know would not have been a good place to in be on the bike.

P1NDLESK1N · July 6th, 2009, 12:02 PM

Holy crap. Glad your okay.

komohana · July 6th, 2009, 12:41 PM

intuition is a useful tool when utilized.
the more we tune in to our instinctive instructions, and not reason them away,
the more we recieve intuitive guidance.

imunro · July 6th, 2009, 12:57 PM

Wow, our infamous Vancouver drivers strike again - glad you're OK! I can't tell you how many close calls I've had; people just aren't looking.

OldGuy · July 6th, 2009, 01:51 PM

Glad you are OK and hope the other driver recovers. Maybe it's Zen, maybe it's just luck but the message is to always check the intersection when the light changes to see what idiot is running the light.

Snake · July 6th, 2009, 02:25 PM

I'm glad you avoided that crash. Sounds like you have a guardian angel looking out for you.

Flashmonkey · July 6th, 2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imunro

Wow, our infamous Vancouver drivers strike again - glad you're OK! I can't tell you how many close calls I've had; people just aren't looking.

They're like that everywhere now unfortunately

I'm glad you're ok and would like to commend you for staying put to give your report.

Cedilla · July 6th, 2009, 07:34 PM

Sometimes we are really lucky, sometimes I wonder where I would be at if I didn't have luck on my side. Back a couple of months ago I was pulling up to a stoplight on a four lane road, I was in the right lane and I noticed as I was approaching, that the left lane had a much shorter line of cars stopped, right as I switched lanes a cell phone clad woman in a suv zoomed pass me and rear ended the suv that was stopped at the redlight. Im not superstitious or anything but now every time I come up to that stoplight I go to the left lane.

Wasn't nearly as bad as your situation could have been, but I kinda know how you feel about it.

BlueRaven · July 6th, 2009, 07:46 PM

there everywhere...listen to them

muffinman · July 6th, 2009, 09:07 PM

I'm glad it wasn't you Anthony and I hope the Miata driver is OK as well

I just went out riding after reading this post and noticed I kept pausing at intersections to see if anyone's trying to beat the light before I take off.

... haha and +1 to the Vancouver drivers comment above... I *hate* driving / parking in Vancouver. Beautiful city otherwise though

Anthony_marr · July 6th, 2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muffinman

I'm glad it wasn't you Anthony and I hope the Miata driver is OK as well

I just went out riding after reading this post and noticed I kept pausing at intersections to see if anyone's trying to beat the light before I take off.

Thank you, brother. I should ask about the Miata driver.

About your new caution, it is the same as mine, and I think would be a good habit to develop. It is well known that intersections are motorcycle killing grounds, most often by oncoming cars making a left turn. Though maintaining speed, I usually lower a gear when entering a major intersection in case I need some extra torque to get out of trouble.

Be safe.

Anthony_marr · July 6th, 2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedilla

Sometimes we are really lucky, sometimes I wonder where I would be at if I didn't have luck on my side. Back a couple of months ago I was pulling up to a stoplight on a four lane road, I was in the right lane and I noticed as I was approaching, that the left lane had a much shorter line of cars stopped, right as I switched lanes a cell phone clad woman in a suv zoomed pass me and rear ended the suv that was stopped at the redlight. Im not superstitious or anything but now every time I come up to that stoplight I go to the left lane.

Wasn't nearly as bad as your situation could have been, but I kinda know how you feel about it.

Well, Chris, look at it this way: Our type of exchange is one in which only survivors are engaged.

CANTFUNCTION · July 6th, 2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony_marr

Thank you, brother. I should ask about the Miata driver.

About your new caution, it is the same as mine, and I think would be a good habit to develop. It is well known that intersections are motorcycle killing grounds, most often by oncoming cars making a left turn. Though maintaining speed, I usually lower a gear when entering a major intersection in case I need some extra torque to get out of trouble.

Be safe.

Also covering the controls helps you reduce your reaction time if you have to stop.

Jerry · July 7th, 2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldGuy

the message is to always check the intersection when the light changes to see what idiot is running the light.

Ain't THAT the TRUTH!!

Another good argument for taking the long way home...

noche_caliente · July 7th, 2009, 07:22 PM

had my own Zen moment today

was riding with another 250 rider and had been going for a while through some great curvy back roads - we had been around on 10 mph curve that hair pin doesn't even begin to describe - it was tighter than the radius in one of my bobby pins.... anyway, we were on a tar and gravel raod, and going around a curve, a guy in a pickup was coming out of the curve and his lights came on - I don't know if he was flashing at us, or if it was just coincidence, but I slowed down just in case.... wouldn't you know that right on the other side of the curve, we ran into the case I always dread on these roads - it had been "resurfaced" meaning it was more gravel than tar and gravel.... thank goodness his lights came on when they did!

ninjabrewer · July 7th, 2009, 08:54 PM

One thing to say......Whoa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony_marr

I usually lower a gear when entering a major intersection in case I need some extra torque to get out of trouble.

Be safe.

not a bad idea, although here I would be, and already am, shifting a lot.

Thanks for the idea

nb

July 5th, 2009, 07:42 PM	#1
Anthony_marr ninjette.org guru Name: Anthony Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Kawasaki Ninja ZZR 250; 1996 Suzuki Katana GSXF 600; 80s Yamaha 650 Special; 70s Kawasaki 350 Triple Posts: 448	Zen of motorcycling Sometimes fate, or is it luck, deals you a surprising hand, and when you eye your winning, you wonder why you deserve it. I was dealt such a hand on the 4th of July, though this is Vancouver, BC, Canada. I was on Main Street, heading north towards the Burrard Inlet and the North Shore mountains, when something intervened which probably saved my life. And it had something to do with motorcycling. My destination was downtown, and I had in mind to go straight on Main St., and left on Hastings which ends downtown. But when I was approaching 33rd Ave., I thought about Queen Elizabeth Park on 33rd and Cambie St., a beautiful urban park on it's own hill, with lots of twisties. In my car, or were I in a hurry on my bike, I would have gone straight up Main, but being on my bike and no urgent task to perform, I thought of the park, and made a snap decision to turn left on 33rd for a little fun-interlude before heading north on Cambie and take the Cambie Bridge downtown. Originally I was in the right lane, so I switched over to the left. Upon arrival at the 33rd Ave intersection, I stopped at the red light behind one car with its left-turn signal blinking. In my place at the head of the right lane was a Mazda Miata. The light turned green, but due to approaching oncoming traffic, the car in front of me stayed put, while in the right lane, the Miata zoomed forward, as I would have done were I there in its place. A flash of white from left to right across my field of vision, a metallic crash, and the Miata was totaled by an SUV from the left running its red light. The SUV driver was stunned by his air bag, but otherwise facing nothing more lethal than a traffic citation, but the Miata driver had to be carried on a stretcher into an ambulance. And this Ninja ZZR250 rider made his witness report, rode somberly to the park, parked down his bike, and sat on a park bench facing a pond full of ducks, wondering what the hell just happened and why.

July 5th, 2009, 07:57 PM	#2
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	glad you're ok - must have been scary to witness! __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

July 6th, 2009, 12:41 PM	#8
komohana ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Steve Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.	intuition is a useful tool when utilized. the more we tune in to our instinctive instructions, and not reason them away, the more we recieve intuitive guidance. __________________________________________________ Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous?

July 6th, 2009, 12:57 PM	#9
imunro Year-round rider Name: Ian Location: Vancouver BC Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ebony 250R Posts: 37	Wow, our infamous Vancouver drivers strike again - glad you're OK! I can't tell you how many close calls I've had; people just aren't looking. __________________________________________________ "Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experience." - Ralph Waldo Emerson My Albums

July 6th, 2009, 01:51 PM	#10
OldGuy Live Life Name: Don Location: Lincoln, NE Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Green SE Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	Glad you are OK and hope the other driver recovers. Maybe it's Zen, maybe it's just luck but the message is to always check the intersection when the light changes to see what idiot is running the light. __________________________________________________ - ATGATT - Scorpion EX700 Hi-Vis Helmet, First Gear MeshTek 3.0 Jacket, TourMaster Transition 2 Jacket and Flex Pants, Sidi Doha boots

July 5th, 2009, 08:48 PM	#4
ScorpionNinja ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Dave Location: Michigan Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650RTE & 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (SOLD) Posts: A lot.	Man close call dude. glad your ok man! Heh... did you see any "Signs" like in Final Destination?

July 5th, 2009, 09:22 PM	#6
Chamus57 ninjette.org member Name: Lee Location: Alabama Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250r se Posts: 169	Glad you missed it and are ok. I have had similar situations where something told me not to go or do what i normally do. Sometimes i think i have a angel or two watching me. If there is one thing i have learned from riding it's to trust my instincts. Even when i am in the car, "Don't feel kewl enough to say cage yet", i see things that i know would not have been a good place to in be on the bike.

July 6th, 2009, 12:02 PM	#7
P1NDLESK1N ninjette.org member Name: Dario Location: Suffolk County, NY Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 Ninja 300 (Sold), 2016 Z1000 Posts: 239	Holy crap. Glad your okay.

July 6th, 2009, 02:25 PM	#11
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I'm glad you avoided that crash. Sounds like you have a guardian angel looking out for you.

July 6th, 2009, 07:34 PM	#13
Cedilla ninjette.org sage Name: Chris Location: Huntsville, AL Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755	Sometimes we are really lucky, sometimes I wonder where I would be at if I didn't have luck on my side. Back a couple of months ago I was pulling up to a stoplight on a four lane road, I was in the right lane and I noticed as I was approaching, that the left lane had a much shorter line of cars stopped, right as I switched lanes a cell phone clad woman in a suv zoomed pass me and rear ended the suv that was stopped at the redlight. Im not superstitious or anything but now every time I come up to that stoplight I go to the left lane. Wasn't nearly as bad as your situation could have been, but I kinda know how you feel about it.

July 6th, 2009, 07:46 PM	#14
BlueRaven ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Lil One Location: NB Canada Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): '09 Ninja 250 Black Posts: A lot.	there everywhere...listen to them __________________________________________________ I'm not small, I'm fun sized

July 6th, 2009, 09:07 PM	#15
muffinman ninjette.org guru Name: Arthur Location: USA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R (sold), '05 ZX6R / 636 Posts: 355	I'm glad it wasn't you Anthony and I hope the Miata driver is OK as well I just went out riding after reading this post and noticed I kept pausing at intersections to see if anyone's trying to beat the light before I take off. ... haha and +1 to the Vancouver drivers comment above... I hate driving / parking in Vancouver. Beautiful city otherwise though

July 7th, 2009, 07:22 PM	#20
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	had my own Zen moment today was riding with another 250 rider and had been going for a while through some great curvy back roads - we had been around on 10 mph curve that hair pin doesn't even begin to describe - it was tighter than the radius in one of my bobby pins.... anyway, we were on a tar and gravel raod, and going around a curve, a guy in a pickup was coming out of the curve and his lights came on - I don't know if he was flashing at us, or if it was just coincidence, but I slowed down just in case.... wouldn't you know that right on the other side of the curve, we ran into the case I always dread on these roads - it had been "resurfaced" meaning it was more gravel than tar and gravel.... thank goodness his lights came on when they did! __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

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