Be Careful Out There ...........

[Williamson]

Another of our colleagues, this one from the broader motorcycling community, has fallen:
http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/2413198/rider-dies-as-motorbike-hits-tree/?cs=80

I knew this guy, he was one of the regulars from another group of riders I had accompanied on a few occasions.  This incident happened on a ride from Melbourne to Sea Lake (VIC) last Saturday.  But for a bit of a stuff-up (on my part), I was supposed to be riding with the group.  Would things have turned out dfferently otherwise?  We'll never know, but very sobering though.

Everyone, just please be careful.

[Bikebear]

There was a fatal North of Cairns on the weekend where a car turned across the path of the motorcyclist.

http://mobile.news.com.au/national/cairns-motorcyclist-killed-in-smash-at-wangetti/story-e6frfkp9-1226986182680

[Biggles]

"Police have not deemed alcohol or speed to be contributing factors in the fatal collision."

Just a SMIDSY driver.   

Assuming the car continued for a metre or two after the collision, the bike might have been a bit too close to the centre-line.  Pure speculation, of course, but I mention it in the hope that going to the far left of the lane when approaching cars might give a rider a better chance of avoiding this.  It's about the only defence we have.

[Nigel]

 :'(R.I.P. to all...............   I read both articles, so sad.

[Skip]

My heart felt sympathy to those who have a direct contact to these events.
This is probably not the forum, on which, this needs to be said because of our general demographic, but perhaps we all know someone that we need to say the following to.
If you want to open the throttle on your ride to test your mettle, then PLEASE go to a track day where things are controlled and every body is going in the same direction. I'm passed that stage in my life and am happy to enjoy the scenery and just enjoy riding at a leisurely pace. I say a little prayer when the 'boy racers' fly passed me. A while back, over Mt Glorious, I was in the tin top and a guy was right up my wahoo on a bike. He raced passed me at the first opportunity only to stop a few corners later to help him up. He was lucky. Neither he or the bike were too badly damaged. During the 'exercise', I learned that this was his first outing on his newly acquired R6. I pleaded with him to take it easy and just enjoy the experience without pushing things to their limit. Not more than 3 or 4 minutes later, I came across him again, this time chatting to a man dressed in blue and drove a very colourful vehicle. I just shook my head in disbelief.
Please don't think that I am inferring that the 2 cases above were in any way similar circumstances, but it is a timely reminder to just enjoy the journey and take time to 'smell the roses'.