Impatience kills

[Corwin]

I ran across this link in another forum.  Read it and learn.  

http://hondashadow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39436&sid=c2015067417412a6fd63eaaaf9acc1ce  

[shah269]

On a bike all emotions kill.
From impatience to out right euphoria.
That's what I like about riding, you have to have a clear head or you will be on your ASS ASAP!

[cbsnbiker]

Good choice for a cross-posting.

This quote from the bereaved widow caught my eye:

He was simply going too fast for the turn. The stopped car at the traffic light was life's warning for him to slow down. But he saw the car as an obstacle rather than a safety concern and chose to ignore that warning.

This is an important insight for everyone, on multiple levels.

So are her comments on her late husband's dearth of patience.

What can others learn from this event?

[CBRXXBLACKBIRD]

Very good reality check of lifes events.

[Morgan]

That really is sad.  I've resisted similar urges at times.  Bikes are just so fast that you have to work hard to be 2 steps faster.  I'm rarely impatient on the bike but I've been impatient a few times to my own peril and have learned lessons from it:  the biggest lessons I've learned involve passing.  On the BRP one year I was anxiously trying to get around a tourbus size RV.  I'd been following him for miles, the good section was coming up, and the dotted lines were just starting.  I was ready when the zone opened, the road was clear ahead and so I dropped down a gear to finish the pass quickly.  It wasn't quick enough as the RV driver needed to move over for the bicyclist that I couldn't see (or maybe didn't think to look...I'm pretty sure that due to the size of the RV and the slight curve, that he was blocked).  Anyway, I watched as a bus moved over giving me about 1/3 of the lane.  The other situation that I'm now constantly aware of is passing more than one car at a time.  Even if you patiently wait well into the passing zone to see if the 2nd or 3rd car is going to pass, it's impossible to be sure that somebody doesn't change their mind just as you commit.  

Anyway, I've noticed that I rarely make mistakes on the bike.  When I do, I'm inevitably impatient or aggravated.  Those feelings have become red flags for me.  

[jsanford]

I thought it was interesting that she mentions that her husband considered himself to be a very good rider, as an MSF graduate and a reader of Hough. Then one of the first responses is from someone else who said he considered himself to be a "Very good" rider.

One of the items I read in a professional text on motorcycling is that many riders base their self-appraisal on little criteria other than how much riding they've managed without an...incident. Not that that's invalid, just not enough to measure onesself against.

[cworley5150]

Anyway, I've noticed that I rarely make mistakes on the bike.  When I do, I'm inevitably impatient or aggravated.  Those feelings have become red flags for me.  

Me too.  

I usually do a much better job at controlling my emotions when on the bike as opposed to in the cage.  There have been a couple of times though that I have had to pull off the road and let myself calm down.  This is usually due to   cagers trying to kill me.  I really want to kill them back sometimes.  

Everybody take a lesson from this guys unfortunate and fatal mistake.  No need to be in such a hurry.  Keep your heads clear.

[R1150RTMark]

That thread is from what I long considered to be my 'home' forum.  I just saw it today and added my condolences to Paul's widow.  I hope it hits home with those who might need it.

One of my fundamental rules of riding is to never ride when I'm in a hurry.  The mindset is totally at odds for safe riding.  That doesn't mean I don't like to get the most I can out of the twisties.  But I do so on MY terms.  Being in a hurry or being impatient means you give up YOUR terms to fate.

[roadrailer]

That's a very good reminder to slow down. Thanks for posting.

[Tony T]

the biggest lessons I've learned involve passing.  On the BRP one year I was anxiously trying to get around a tourbus size RV.  I'd been following him for miles, the good section was coming up, and the dotted lines were just starting.  I was ready when the zone opened, the road was clear ahead and so I dropped down a gear to finish the pass quickly.  It wasn't quick enough as the RV driver needed to move over for the bicyclist that I couldn't see (or maybe didn't think to look...I'm pretty sure that due to the size of the RV and the slight curve, that he was blocked).  Anyway, I watched as a bus moved over giving me about 1/3 of the lane.  

I’m guilty of the same thing. Except it was a dump truck and he didn’t give me any lane to go. I ended up riding though 2 – 3’ tall weeds on the shoulder and very nearly died a half dozen times.  

Now when I’m in similar situations I find some place to pull over for a couple of minutes and let the traffic get well ahead of me. Then I’ll do the twisties at the pace I want.  

[Bodhi]

I should listen to this. I've made dumb mistakes because of impatience. Once I pulled left around a line of cars without looking to my left and fortunately the car coming up saw me and stopped. My riding buddy just looked at me and said "you almost just bought it". I need to keep reminding myself all the time to stay calm, stay cool, stay focused and don't get emotional. Focus on the ride - focus on safety. The fun will come just the same.

[cbsnbiker]

When I read the message, it reminded me of an event that happened relatively early in my riding career.

I was riding after dark on a pleasant and relatively wide road (for upstate NY denizens, Route 23 coming out of the Catskills). About 1/8 mile ahead of me was a car, driving along, minding his own business. I was slowly overtaking the car, and considering passing it at an appropriate moment.

I saw the car's brake lights light up. My first thought: "Good opportunity to pass, if I can catch up." My second thought: "Hmmm, why is he braking? Maybe I should too." I listened to my second thought, so I scrubbed off a bunch of speed.

Moments later, a herd of deer ran right in front of me.   Because I had previously braked, I was able to slow down further and avoid hitting any of them. Had I not slowed down, my life would have been at best far more challenging; at worst, I would have become one with the herd.

That was a life lesson learned the easy way, I'm glad to say. Anyone else had a similar experience?

Oh, and   to the driver for signaling me about the upcoming hazard.

[JamesG]

Yep.  The only times I've ever gotten hurt on a bike (and many almost/shoulda times) was when I got impatient, went too fast, or otherwise did something stupid.

[UFO]

It boils down to more than being "impatient."

We shouldn't toss out rationalization just because we throw a leg over a bike.  Passing a car on the left through an intersection on a road you don't know at 1:30 AM doesn't indicate a lack of patience.

Don't let your impatience, ego, aggression, whatever...dictate how you twist the throttle.

RIP

[swimmer]

I to find myself having to be a little calmer when other drivers aggravate me when I am on my motorcycle compared to when I am driving my truck.   My MSF instructor had a good saying that I sometimes repeat to myself if I find I'm getting impatient.  "there is no such thing as road rage on a motorcycle".

I think patience and maturity go a long way in keeping yourself safe.

[Snowbird]

Very nice of that lady to come back and offer good advice.... advice that I can use. It's so easy to get impatient with cars' drivers as they lumber about, talk on cell phones and snooze. But, I don't think I'd succumb to the temptation that resulted in his death.

[mtrider16]

Thanks for the cross post.  Good reminder.  

David

[Mr Sunshine]

 My MSF instructor had a good saying that I sometimes repeat to myself if I find I'm getting impatient.  "there is no such thing as road rage on a motorcycle".

I guess your MSF instructor hasn't been around the block much.

There definatly is road rage on a motorcycle.  You can definatlly get pissed off at other drivers on the road.  You can show your "rage" by buzzing the car or revving your engine.  But that is road rage.

[Windblown]

I guess your MSF instructor hasn't been around the block much.

There definatly is road rage on a motorcycle.  You can definatlly get pissed off at other drivers on the road.  You can show your "rage" by buzzing the car or revving your engine.  But that is road rage.

   

I think the point the instructor was probably making is that road rage on a bike is a bad idea (which is true), not that it doesn't happen.

Have I been guilty of it? Sure, but I never claimed to be real smart.

[Mr Sunshine]

   

I think the point the instructor was probably making is that road rage on a bike is a bad idea (which is true), not that it doesn't happen.

Have I been guilty of it? Sure, but I never claimed to be real smart.

Your response is lame.  I wasn't responding to what the instructor *might* have meant.  I was responding to what the instructor said in very clear and plain English.

So why on earth would you choose to give me the thumbs down due to my response about the MSF instructor who didn't have a clue?