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Just about went down while 2 up with the fiancee participating in a huge Charity Poker Run here in Canada yesterday. I think I'll start by saying I am an experienced rider of 20 years who has taken the MSF course and regularly practices emergency braking and avoidance drills to stay fresh but yesterday was almost my final ride!
The day started off with a registration for the Kingston, ONT edition of the "Ride for Dad" prostate cancer fund raiser Poker Run and Parade with the celebrity Ride leader this year being former NHL'r Kirk Muller. We then went to breakfast with the regular riding group and later went back to the parade starting point at the local Honda / Harley dealership. Then we went through the city with police escorts to Fort Henry historic park in a group of about 500-800 bikes. (I was particularily pleased at the looks, finger pointing and waves I got while on my Red '02 Katana, much to the chagrin of my fiancee when the hot girls looked my way too much!) Anyway, after the local dignitaries gave some speeches at the Fort we finally departed on the ride's 120 mile (180km) run. The run was proceeding as expected under warm sunny skies and since there were a few squids in attendance, I stayed with my regulars to avoid a possible pile up!
The first stop in Napanee and then the second at Lake of the Mountain, near Glenora ferry, (which was also the lunch stop) passed without incident and I even met up with "runsft" of KatRiders for some bike comparing and chatting. We then left and headed over the ferry towards Kingston. I was in the first 3 of about 100 or so bikes on the ferry heading east to Kingston and the wrap up. On the boat a custom chopper guy getting off first in front of me told me and my FZ1 riding partner (2 up with his 83 year old father) that we should go on ahead. After departing we did so and in staggered formation we headed east on Hwy 33 home. Little did I know I was just minutes from almost biting it big time.
After travelling 5-10 minutes at speeds moderately over the posted limit of 50 mph in a rural area and passing a few cars I was in the left side of my lane staggered behind and to the left of my buddy on his FZ1 when I caught a black streak out of my left eye heading straight from the left side of the road at my buddies bike about 50-80 feet in front of me! Needless to say I was in a very bad situation just then with very few options. I had little time to think but I instinctively knew a few options were not possible due to the situation.
First, and this is key, I had no way of knowing if my fiancee was securely hanging on as sometimes she just loosely loops her thumbs thru my Joe Rocket jacket lower waist straps when we are at a steady speed. Secondly, I didn't know therefore if she would be prepared if I suddenly swerved and I didn't want to lose her off the back. Thirdly, I also knew that stopping wouldn't work due to speed and distance to the dog and furthermore if I was indeed just about to hit the dog my severely compressed forks, under the braking pressure, would have even less remaining suspension travel to possibly get us up and over the 30-40lb dog and still have any chance of saving it.
As we came closer to the impact the dog veered back to my left as I was heading to the right slightly and I braced myself for what was to come. I thought we had a slim chance of taking the dog just down the left side and possibly avoiding him and at the last second he saw us coming and turned his head. I quickly rolled my foot out onto the edge of my left foot peg hoping to deflect him and bam I took his head right off my left foot. We wobbled a little but were able to maintain course well and I slowed down as a following rider came up on my right and asked how I was. I nodded and he went on as I continued to slow and my fiancee who did not see the dog at all asked me "What just happened!!!!".
After turning around we saw the other bikes behind us had slowed down and stopped. I pulled into the owner's driveway and as it turns out the dog, a 4-6 month old German shepherd had been knocked out briefly but was up and moving well albeit bleeding quite a bit from the mouth. The owner was not home but his teenage daughter was and she immediately called the local vet to arrange to bring in the dog. I was limping over with a very sore foot and I apologized but commented that it could have been much worse for us and the riders behind me! She commented she was glad we were OK too as her dad rides but mentioned the dog likes to grab at his motorcycle tires when he comes into the driveway after work. Other's asked if the dog got out of his kennel or off his chain and she said they didn't use either!!! I didn't say much more after that but I thought to myself "What kind of responsible pet owner and rider would let his young untrained dog run loose and endanger not only his animal but quite possible kill some fellow riders!!!!"
At the next stop in Bath many riders came up to us to see how we were and a few who were behind us complimented me on keeping it upright thru a bad situation. I said thanks but figured I really should be looking up and saying thanks!
In closing I re-learned a few things which I hope might save your life and/or your passengers:
Always expect the unexpected and remember to drive defensively ALWAYS! ( AND as we were, always wear your gear!)
Practice your braking and evasion skills often and in all weather conditions, AND if you EVER take a passenger practice TOGETHER!, it might save both of your lives someday!!!! (We are planning a two up session in the next week or so.)
And finally to all of those pet owners out there (We too are getting a dog later this summer) for the sake of your beloved pet's life and lives of those of us on the roads and streets keep your pet off the road, PERIOD!!
I am very glad I had the chance to post this for all of you, (although I know its a bit long), but had we been without some much needed luck yesterday we might both be very, very gone!
Ride safe.
The day started off with a registration for the Kingston, ONT edition of the "Ride for Dad" prostate cancer fund raiser Poker Run and Parade with the celebrity Ride leader this year being former NHL'r Kirk Muller. We then went to breakfast with the regular riding group and later went back to the parade starting point at the local Honda / Harley dealership. Then we went through the city with police escorts to Fort Henry historic park in a group of about 500-800 bikes. (I was particularily pleased at the looks, finger pointing and waves I got while on my Red '02 Katana, much to the chagrin of my fiancee when the hot girls looked my way too much!) Anyway, after the local dignitaries gave some speeches at the Fort we finally departed on the ride's 120 mile (180km) run. The run was proceeding as expected under warm sunny skies and since there were a few squids in attendance, I stayed with my regulars to avoid a possible pile up!
The first stop in Napanee and then the second at Lake of the Mountain, near Glenora ferry, (which was also the lunch stop) passed without incident and I even met up with "runsft" of KatRiders for some bike comparing and chatting. We then left and headed over the ferry towards Kingston. I was in the first 3 of about 100 or so bikes on the ferry heading east to Kingston and the wrap up. On the boat a custom chopper guy getting off first in front of me told me and my FZ1 riding partner (2 up with his 83 year old father) that we should go on ahead. After departing we did so and in staggered formation we headed east on Hwy 33 home. Little did I know I was just minutes from almost biting it big time.
After travelling 5-10 minutes at speeds moderately over the posted limit of 50 mph in a rural area and passing a few cars I was in the left side of my lane staggered behind and to the left of my buddy on his FZ1 when I caught a black streak out of my left eye heading straight from the left side of the road at my buddies bike about 50-80 feet in front of me! Needless to say I was in a very bad situation just then with very few options. I had little time to think but I instinctively knew a few options were not possible due to the situation.
First, and this is key, I had no way of knowing if my fiancee was securely hanging on as sometimes she just loosely loops her thumbs thru my Joe Rocket jacket lower waist straps when we are at a steady speed. Secondly, I didn't know therefore if she would be prepared if I suddenly swerved and I didn't want to lose her off the back. Thirdly, I also knew that stopping wouldn't work due to speed and distance to the dog and furthermore if I was indeed just about to hit the dog my severely compressed forks, under the braking pressure, would have even less remaining suspension travel to possibly get us up and over the 30-40lb dog and still have any chance of saving it.
As we came closer to the impact the dog veered back to my left as I was heading to the right slightly and I braced myself for what was to come. I thought we had a slim chance of taking the dog just down the left side and possibly avoiding him and at the last second he saw us coming and turned his head. I quickly rolled my foot out onto the edge of my left foot peg hoping to deflect him and bam I took his head right off my left foot. We wobbled a little but were able to maintain course well and I slowed down as a following rider came up on my right and asked how I was. I nodded and he went on as I continued to slow and my fiancee who did not see the dog at all asked me "What just happened!!!!".
After turning around we saw the other bikes behind us had slowed down and stopped. I pulled into the owner's driveway and as it turns out the dog, a 4-6 month old German shepherd had been knocked out briefly but was up and moving well albeit bleeding quite a bit from the mouth. The owner was not home but his teenage daughter was and she immediately called the local vet to arrange to bring in the dog. I was limping over with a very sore foot and I apologized but commented that it could have been much worse for us and the riders behind me! She commented she was glad we were OK too as her dad rides but mentioned the dog likes to grab at his motorcycle tires when he comes into the driveway after work. Other's asked if the dog got out of his kennel or off his chain and she said they didn't use either!!! I didn't say much more after that but I thought to myself "What kind of responsible pet owner and rider would let his young untrained dog run loose and endanger not only his animal but quite possible kill some fellow riders!!!!"
At the next stop in Bath many riders came up to us to see how we were and a few who were behind us complimented me on keeping it upright thru a bad situation. I said thanks but figured I really should be looking up and saying thanks!
In closing I re-learned a few things which I hope might save your life and/or your passengers:
Always expect the unexpected and remember to drive defensively ALWAYS! ( AND as we were, always wear your gear!)
Practice your braking and evasion skills often and in all weather conditions, AND if you EVER take a passenger practice TOGETHER!, it might save both of your lives someday!!!! (We are planning a two up session in the next week or so.)
And finally to all of those pet owners out there (We too are getting a dog later this summer) for the sake of your beloved pet's life and lives of those of us on the roads and streets keep your pet off the road, PERIOD!!
I am very glad I had the chance to post this for all of you, (although I know its a bit long), but had we been without some much needed luck yesterday we might both be very, very gone!
Ride safe.
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