mcteague
Junior Member
Had an "interesting" ride today. My ride took me South on Falls Rd in Baltimore County, a semi-rural area populated by rich folk with lots of property. It's a fun, twisty road lined with trees on both sides. I've ridden it many times but today was nearly my last.
I was going along with nearly no traffic when I came around a sweeping bend with little visibility only to come upon a huge traffic jam. I went on the brakes hard to avoid rear ending the first car and my back brake locked up and started fishtailing. It was clear there was not enough room to stop so I ease up on the brakes a bit to regain control and steer into the oncoming lane.
While doing this I saw the reason for the hold up...lots of horses and riders. They occupied the other lane. Now, instead of hitting a car I was sure I was going to collide with a horse as they were just too close.
Again I was having trouble keeping the rear from sliding but I saw a narrow gap between the 3 horses on the left and the line of cars on the right. Eased up on the brakes a bit, hit the gap, back on the brakes and brought it to a stop in front of the first car.
In front of all this was even more cars and a line of what looked like a group out fox hunting. They all had cute little matching outfits. I told you this was $$$ country. I waited for them all to cross the road and into the field and went on my way, heart still pounding.
So, I came to a few conclusions as I gathered my wits.
1) Slow down more when you cannot see around the bend.
2) Try to use less rear brake (tough to do in near-panic situations).
3) I am thrilled that I am able to think and react when under duress. You read all the time about riders fixating or just freezing.
4) The FZ6 handles really, really well.
5) My next bike will have ABS!
Tim
I was going along with nearly no traffic when I came around a sweeping bend with little visibility only to come upon a huge traffic jam. I went on the brakes hard to avoid rear ending the first car and my back brake locked up and started fishtailing. It was clear there was not enough room to stop so I ease up on the brakes a bit to regain control and steer into the oncoming lane.
While doing this I saw the reason for the hold up...lots of horses and riders. They occupied the other lane. Now, instead of hitting a car I was sure I was going to collide with a horse as they were just too close.
Again I was having trouble keeping the rear from sliding but I saw a narrow gap between the 3 horses on the left and the line of cars on the right. Eased up on the brakes a bit, hit the gap, back on the brakes and brought it to a stop in front of the first car.
In front of all this was even more cars and a line of what looked like a group out fox hunting. They all had cute little matching outfits. I told you this was $$$ country. I waited for them all to cross the road and into the field and went on my way, heart still pounding.
So, I came to a few conclusions as I gathered my wits.
1) Slow down more when you cannot see around the bend.
2) Try to use less rear brake (tough to do in near-panic situations).
3) I am thrilled that I am able to think and react when under duress. You read all the time about riders fixating or just freezing.
4) The FZ6 handles really, really well.
5) My next bike will have ABS!
Tim