Takingabreak
2nd November 2005, 05:50
Hi all.
As I write this, we here in the Northwest are in the middle of a overload of Oregon liquid sunshine week(It Raining like Hell) But last Sunday was a really clear day(Even though they said it would be raining) So I jumped on my Bike for a Sunday ride, I figured this might be a wile before we get a chance to ride again.
I Putted around a swung by the dealer(Free Pancake breakfast) and then when for a Little longer ride.
The weather was like 65f* and no wind to speak on, the classic calm before the storm.
Well as i was riding home, as I passed a market at the corner of Western a 5th street, I saw a Buick coming to the exit at 5th, as i was riding down 5th, I saw that........
1) This was a very old woman driver.
2) She was only look strait ahead, and not for traffic.
3) She was not slowing down at all as she was coming to the exit.
4) I better hit the brakes NOW HARD!!!!!
I put the bike in a Strait skid, as she charged right out in front of me, we missed and a couple feet.
So Now she is in front of me, and Blow the horn at her and flash my highbeam, no response at all.
I was puzzled, so I followed her to the next shopping center, and she parks right in front of the local Starbucks, and so I stop the bike right behind her, and get off.
Now, Road Rage in my state is a crime, and well, the gal must be in her 80's, so yelling, screaming, cursing or generally acting like a Jackass in front of a crowed Starbuck with the police station right across the street is not an option here.
(Did I forget to say I was only a couple blocks from home?, so yes I know the area)
So, you can imagine the seen, a crowed Starbuck, an old lady and this big old Leather clad Bike dude walking over to have a word or two, yes, I had an audience.
So I walk up, and she looks quite startled, so i say.......in my best respectful voice....
"Excuse me Mam, When you left Michell parking lot onto 5th street, did you see me?"
She said No she did not.
I said, I know, because I saw you and you forgot to look before you entered the street.
And I slowly and carefully with the respect you would show to your own Grandmother, I explained how I saw that she did not look before she almost killed me, and that I blew the horn and flashed my lights.....she told me that she was sorry, and i said that I was more concerned about her and that she need to be more careful, less she kill someone.
She admitted that at no time before I came up to her door did she ever see me.
I Then said to her, "Mam, If you did not see me, did not here my loud pipes, did not hear me blow the horn at you, and did not see me flash my High beams at you, and were completely unaware i was following you for a mile and a half....and didn't see me park right behind you, maybe it's time to sell your car before you kill someone, I would hate to see you have to live through something like that."
I then got back on my bike and road home.
I mean what the hell else could I have done?
Pulling her out of her car and Bitch-slapping her across the parking lot would not ben a good thing, yelling at her would have gave her a heart attack, and acting stupid with all those young guys in front of Starbucks would have drawn a a hero to her resque, so what else was there to do.
And calling the cops? In this town would have gotten me no were.
As I write this, we here in the Northwest are in the middle of a overload of Oregon liquid sunshine week(It Raining like Hell) But last Sunday was a really clear day(Even though they said it would be raining) So I jumped on my Bike for a Sunday ride, I figured this might be a wile before we get a chance to ride again.
I Putted around a swung by the dealer(Free Pancake breakfast) and then when for a Little longer ride.
The weather was like 65f* and no wind to speak on, the classic calm before the storm.
Well as i was riding home, as I passed a market at the corner of Western a 5th street, I saw a Buick coming to the exit at 5th, as i was riding down 5th, I saw that........
1) This was a very old woman driver.
2) She was only look strait ahead, and not for traffic.
3) She was not slowing down at all as she was coming to the exit.
4) I better hit the brakes NOW HARD!!!!!
I put the bike in a Strait skid, as she charged right out in front of me, we missed and a couple feet.
So Now she is in front of me, and Blow the horn at her and flash my highbeam, no response at all.
I was puzzled, so I followed her to the next shopping center, and she parks right in front of the local Starbucks, and so I stop the bike right behind her, and get off.
Now, Road Rage in my state is a crime, and well, the gal must be in her 80's, so yelling, screaming, cursing or generally acting like a Jackass in front of a crowed Starbuck with the police station right across the street is not an option here.
(Did I forget to say I was only a couple blocks from home?, so yes I know the area)
So, you can imagine the seen, a crowed Starbuck, an old lady and this big old Leather clad Bike dude walking over to have a word or two, yes, I had an audience.
So I walk up, and she looks quite startled, so i say.......in my best respectful voice....
"Excuse me Mam, When you left Michell parking lot onto 5th street, did you see me?"
She said No she did not.
I said, I know, because I saw you and you forgot to look before you entered the street.
And I slowly and carefully with the respect you would show to your own Grandmother, I explained how I saw that she did not look before she almost killed me, and that I blew the horn and flashed my lights.....she told me that she was sorry, and i said that I was more concerned about her and that she need to be more careful, less she kill someone.
She admitted that at no time before I came up to her door did she ever see me.
I Then said to her, "Mam, If you did not see me, did not here my loud pipes, did not hear me blow the horn at you, and did not see me flash my High beams at you, and were completely unaware i was following you for a mile and a half....and didn't see me park right behind you, maybe it's time to sell your car before you kill someone, I would hate to see you have to live through something like that."
I then got back on my bike and road home.
I mean what the hell else could I have done?
Pulling her out of her car and Bitch-slapping her across the parking lot would not ben a good thing, yelling at her would have gave her a heart attack, and acting stupid with all those young guys in front of Starbucks would have drawn a a hero to her resque, so what else was there to do.
And calling the cops? In this town would have gotten me no were.