Last weekend, I rode about 1200 miles through southern British Columbia. Scott and I left Saturday morning and returned on Monday. I had a good time. I have never been over near Osoyoos before so that was a new experience. I really enjoy my time in Canada. It’s good to get away. The map shows the actual route taken. The original plan lacked some of the zigzagging near Klickitat and in Seattle. I was frustrated by a large truck on SR14, which is why I lead us up to BZ Corner. And we managed to hit Seattle during rush hour. After a required stop at Dick’s Burgers on 45th, taking 99 south seemed more entertaining than sitting on I-5 with my foot down.
Here’s the map:
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Yesterday, I was hit by a car while riding into downtown. I was exiting 26 Hwy to go into the city. I was in the far right lane on a one-way street. The light was red. I was slowing to stop at the light. The light turned green and another driver who was 2 cars back in the queue, stopped in the middle lane, decided that she wanted to be in my lane without looking. I grabbed both brakes and locked my rear wheel before I hit her right rear quarter panel. Then I hit the pavement. I never made it to the while line. Unfun. Nothing was broken (on me). I did hit my helmet on the pavement and trashed about $1600 in armour in the process. The other driver admitted fault and we have the same insurance company.
The map is a sat photo of the intersection, if you are interested.
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I’m already analyzing my actions and I don’t think there was anything I could have done. I wasn’t speeding. In fact, I was slowing down to stop for the red light. The other driver saw the light turn green and jumped into my lane without a moment of notice. The only possible thing I could have done would have been to crank the bike to the right harder, but since I locked the rear wheel that wasn’t possible. I was already sliding against the slope of the pavement as the left lane sits a few inches lower than the right and the whole thing took place in a slight corner. There wasn’t enough time/space to let off the brake and reapply. I am sure there was something I could have done to not put myself in that situation, but I haven’t figured that one out just yet.
The bike is pretty beat up but the dealership says it is fixable. I need a new radiator, oil cooler, side panel, bar end, mirror, shift lever and a handful of other obvious parts. The real cost will not be known until they start digging into it. And dont’ forget to replace all of that damaged armour…
As for me, I’ve been directed to stay home for a couple days and load up on pain killers and muscle relaxers. Basically, I unsafe to drive a vehicle right now. Now if the headache would just go away…
So it really isn’t the years. It is the miles. One great weekend followed by a dumbass in a cage.
Last month, I went to the Cycle World Motorcycle Expo
