City. Country. Danger in-between

[ScooterWolf]

When I commute to work to an urban center, I'm pretty focused on the job off trying to take in all around me. On long rides through back roads it's the hidden dangers I'm trying to manage -- what's over the hill, around the corner, or what many dash out of the woods.

I think the most dangerous roads to ride on are the ones we're too familiar with - our home town and surrounding communities. Coming back from my bank today I was riding through my town's main street. I'm going on a long trip on Wednesday so my mind was preoccupied with thoughts of packing, and last minute to-do items. There was a light up ahead, and seeing my lane clear I didn't pay much attention to the vehicles stopped at a cross walk in the oncoming lane. As I was about to pass I noticed a kid on his bike dashing over the crosswalk. My hands moved to my brakes and horn, but I saw the timing was on my side and I was past the crosswalk before he had reached my side of the street.

Still, the faux heart attack that went along with that 'oh sh**' moment rattled me all the way home. It was a harsh reminder of the dangers of being too complacent in familiar surrounding.

If anyone has had these moments I look at them as jarring, but educational reminders. Anyone have similar experiences?

- Wolf

[Stig / Major Tom]

Sure.
Watching for deer ahead on empty county road....and senior with Pastor plates on his Angel white Accord overtakes me in my lane!
Good thing I don't have mirror extenders!....he'd of collected me.
Seniors are more unpredictable than deer.
Stig

[CROSSBOLT]

HEY!

Karl

[de dee]

Sure.
Watching for deer ahead on empty county road....and senior with Pastor plates on his Angel white Accord overtakes me in my lane!
Good thing I don't have mirror extenders!....he'd of collected me.
Seniors are more unpredictable than deer.
Stig

  are we senior yet ??    young at heart   de dee

[ole two wheels]

Yeal, Tom, lighten up on us old farts, you'll be there soon, my boy. As to what scooterWolf said about the most dangerous roads being the ones we are the most familiar with, couldn't be more true. Reminds me of the old saying, "familiarity breeds contempt.", but I've learned over the years, not to let what happened to me at one intersection follow me to the next one or I might get into a mess there because my mind was still back at the one before. Does that make sense to anyone? One thing I've learned about getting older is that I like to sight see more as I ride and I have to fight against that in some areas, such as in high traffic . Staying alert and focused is the key to survival.

[Stig / Major Tom]

OK, OK --- calm down ! There's a big difference between us veteran players....and those ancient seniors who are never tested off the roads in our country. Here, a driver's license is a human right rather than an earned privilege.
My mom, bless her, is one of the few seniors I've known  who hung up her keys & gave her car away. Walking and taking the bus more.
Stig

[MJR]

Here, a driver's license is a human right rather than an earned privilege.

What country is that?

[CROSSBOLT]

MJR, Stig is talking about the US of A. Many here are brain laundered that driving is a priviledge but it is a right! Where freedom is supposed to reign, transport or travel is to be unrestricted, regardless of method or means. Both the vehicle and operator "license" is nothing more than another tax. Revenue generation.

Karl