Don't get too comfortable with your skill

So, how many times have you been rolling down the road minding your own business, when suddenly, something happens that causes you to take evasive actions? Are you prepared for those occasions? Do you maintain a proper level of awareness regarding your surroundings? Do you maintain a proper level of mental alertness? Do you utilize proper safety gear just in case you get off the bike?

Why am I thinking about this? Well, this morning I was cruising to work on my usual route when I encountered this:

[cid=159679,https://dn3bmh8yk8vvw.cloudfront.net/g37mF_ybbCKwjzMJyLvgY5o_Ilw=/fit-in/600x600/netMM3GSnm1zkgXxBU6Q_Fatal wreck.jpg]

My camera isn't that great in low light, but if you look inside the yellow oval you can see a motorcycle. The car that hit him was still sitting in the intersection. By the number of police vehicles present it was pretty easy to determine that someone had been killed. When I got to work, I turned on the news, and as suspected, someone had died in the wreck. Since the fatal team is still on scene they haven't released any details to the news crews yet. All I do know is that the accident resulted in a fatality.

Anyway, when I drove past the wreck I gave a moment of thought to the rider, and prayed that I was wrong about the likelihood of the wreck being a fatality. I wondered if the rider was wearing a helmet, and if not, would it have mattered. Then I wondered. How many times, during my ride that morning, had I been at risk because of my own actions or inattention?

For some perspective, my commute is about 50 miles (80 km) on interstate and state roads. Some of it is curvy, and some of it is straight. There is also a lot of construction on my route because of 2 new bridges and all of the ancillary interstate work on the 3 interstate highways in the area. That being said, I have traveled this route for 7 years and know the roads very well. I know the location of all the off-camber turns, potholes, cracks, tar snakes...heck you name it, and I know where it's located.

So, when I reflected on my ride this morning, I realized that there were times I wasn't holding up my end of the bargain. I went through the curvy part of the commute this morning just like any other morning, like I said, I know the roads. But, I don't really remember paying attention to the road. I wasn't looking for any loose stuff that could have fallen off of a truck, or washed out of someone's driveway overnight. There are other times this morning that I recall being too close to the car in front of me before changing lanes, or sitting in a blind spot too long, all of the while humming my latest favorite song (and no, I won't say what it is, because I have a manly reputation to maintain).

So, why did I survive my commute when the other guy didn't? Am I just a better rider? Not likely. I'm not even saying the other guy did anything wrong. It was probably just the typical cager not paying attention and pulling out in front of someone. So, then was it luck? Maybe. We've all had our close calls and understand the role that luck plays in motorcycling. However, I also understand the role that skill, attention, preparedness, and equipment has when it comes to creating your luck.

So what do we need to do to lower the chances of this morning being us? I think a lot of it comes down to self awareness. You have to be able to admit yourself, even if hurts your ego, that if you are 50 with just a couple of years of experience of riding the occasional weekend with your buddies that the big Harley probably isn't the best choice for you. Just because you did okay on the Rebel doesn't mean your next bike should be a 'busa, and how many guys do we see trying to skip the Rebel all together. If you can't pick it up when it falls over, you probably shouldn't be riding it. Plus you have to be aware of your overall skill level and reaction times. Let's face it, some people possess better physical dexterity than others. Some people can get away with paying a little less attention, because they spot things and react so quickly. For the rest of us, well, we need to pay more attention (all of the time); maintain our reactionary gaps and following distances; anticipate the actions of other drivers; and always have your eye on an exit plan if anything happens at that particular moment. When I was getting my pilot's license, I learned that if you always expect the unexpected then it's no longer unexpected. That's why you constantly rehearse engine out procedures and always have your eye on a place to land when flying. So, when the engine dies, the procedure is fresh in your mind, and you already have a spot picked out to "put her down". The bottom line is to know what you are capable of and not to exceed your abilities. To do so is just tempting fate.

Last is equipment. Everybody knows the deal here and can make their own choices. Personally, I never ride without gear. I don't heal like I once did, and I prefer to have every chance of surviving possible. If you're willing to risk it, well, that's on you.

Okay, so why the big rant? I know, I'm nobody, so why should anyone listen to me? I have no illusions that because I say something people will instantly pay more attention or make better bike choices. I just saw something that made me think about my riding and the choices I make on a motorcycle. I just wanted to pass it along with the hope, that maybe, a few other people would take some time to examine there own riding and abilities to see if they are putting themselves at any unnecessary risk. So, let's be honest with ourselves. Our families depend on it.