The wiff and I had a real blast out there in the most beautiful Southern California weather you could possibly ask for. Ms. Wag was taken under the wing of a far more experienced rider than I and she learned some great stuff. I need to get off my a$$ and learn some things too or she's gonna be better than I am VERY shortly! He!!, maybe she already is, I dunno!
Chapter 1.
One guy had a crash. Bummer. Fortunately, it was rather low speed and he and his bike, though banged up some, made it home okay. He was very sore and needed help peeling himself off his bike when we got him home. Poor guy. Ballsy, though. He's a really new rider, only since June and he said he slid off the road because he just lost focus.
Chapter 2.
We got back from escorting him home and scarfed a couple Pastrami's at The Hat with the rest of the group. Then, eight of us went to the local motorcycle mega-mall (Ms. Wag and I didn't go inside but that's another story!) Then we high-tailed it over to Angeles Crest highway.
Here's where it gets interesting. As we came off the 210 Fwy exit to the 2, I was leading the group. I knew some of us needed to gas up and I was SURE there was a gas station to the right on the 2. So I headed to the right. I heard a strange beeping sound in my ears. It had several different tones. Seven, to be exact. Sure 'nuff, the rest of the group was hammering on their horns at me.
I was already turned up the road so I pulled over and as I did, I glanced up the road. "Oh he!!," I thought. There's no gas stations up there. I turned right into a little street and started to whip around and go back the other way where I could see a Shell station and a Chevron station across the street from each other. "Well, damm," I thought. "We have to make a left turn and traffic is heavy. Everyone is now scattered all along the side of the road, trying to get turned around and go back. This is actually a little dangerous, frankly." Such were the thoughts of Wag as he observed the group lining up to take that left. A LOT of traffic was going by both ways and it was apparent that it was going to take a while.
(Some of the rest of these facts we ascertained afterwards but I'll weave them in here as it makes a far better story.)
One large truck went by. It was kinda like those tanker trucks full of roofing tar or even just a garbage truck. The smell of burning brakes was in the air and I paid it little attention, being focused on the group, frankly. All of a sudden we heard a 'CRUNCH' to our left and then immediately, a column of water was shooting six stories into the air. Amazing! The utility truck had burned out its brakes coming down the hill, couldn't stop at the red light just before the gas stations, and plowed into a pickup truck exiting the freeway, tossing it up on the curb where it took out a fire hydrant. There is a six story building there and the water was going over the roof.
Karma was with us that day. If it hadn't been for the fact that I haven't been up in that area in over 17 years and for the fact that I had forgotten that there are NO gas stations to the right, I would have turned left. I would have turned where I knew the gas stations to be. And all eight of us would have been sitting at that light when that utility truck came through with no brakes. It would have wiped us all out in the blink of an eye. We would have all been on the news, guaranteed.
Some of the group tried to make me out to be a hero but the fact is, Wag effed up big time and it turned out for the best by sheer good fortune. Those of you who believe in a god, pray to him and thank him for us. If you believe in good fortune, getcher butt down and buy a lottery ticket. I, for one, am a believer in none of these and merely consider us all highly fortunate. The simple fact is, at any time, any place, circumstances and coinkydink can collide and take yer butt out. Or, they can completely miss each other and your life is saved.
My grandfather, many many years ago used to always say, "I never complain about when things happen to make me late to an appointment or meeting. You never know when that five-minute delay just saved your life or at least kept you from an accident." I'm reflecting on that big time right now. We were there at just the right time to die. But we live because Wag effed up. Remember that. A simple mistake is not the most terrible thing. Just adjust, correct your course and remember, you're still just fine!
Chapter 3
We went and gassed up and ogled the accident for a while from the gas station parking lot, then went on to ride up Angeles Crest. We pulled out at one point for a water break, 20 minutes into the ride. As we were standing around, B.S.ing each other, a couple cars went by followed by a TLR 1000. As they went by, the TLR went to go around the rear car, crossing the double yellow. From our position, we could see an oncoming car on a collision course with the guy. I had visions of parts exploding all over the road. The guy made it. Barely.
(I should point out that the guy NEVER downshifted when he passed the car and was lugging it the whole way. Remember, folks, when you're going up hill or you're in heavy traffic, don't lug your bikes. You can't maneuver well enough when you don't have your engine speed and power available to you. Even the smaller bikes, folks. A couple dozen other H.Oers could probably comment on this MUCH better than I.)
After I remembered to breathe again, and we were done "Wowing" and "Oh my godding" about it, we started to think about moving on when the guy came back down the road and pulled over to chat with us. He said, "Aw, there was a lot more space there than it looked like." Of course, that's B.S. in my book: The guy simply doesn't have the skill to pull a dangerous maneuver like that. At the very least, he doesn't understand his engine, etc. etc. well enough to ride up Angeles Crest and pass on the double yellows.
Chapter 4
Well, we all hopped on our rides and rode up to where the road is closed. Not that far, really. 15 miles I think? We turned right around and went back. Lo and behold, water was STILL shooting sky high into the air and we couldn't go across the freeway to get on the eastbound onramp. Bummer. We went West and looped around the next exit and at that point, everyone dispersed and went home.
It was a ODD day to say the least!
--Wag--
Here's the one pic Ms. Wag took with her Palm.
Chapter 1.
One guy had a crash. Bummer. Fortunately, it was rather low speed and he and his bike, though banged up some, made it home okay. He was very sore and needed help peeling himself off his bike when we got him home. Poor guy. Ballsy, though. He's a really new rider, only since June and he said he slid off the road because he just lost focus.
Chapter 2.
We got back from escorting him home and scarfed a couple Pastrami's at The Hat with the rest of the group. Then, eight of us went to the local motorcycle mega-mall (Ms. Wag and I didn't go inside but that's another story!) Then we high-tailed it over to Angeles Crest highway.
Here's where it gets interesting. As we came off the 210 Fwy exit to the 2, I was leading the group. I knew some of us needed to gas up and I was SURE there was a gas station to the right on the 2. So I headed to the right. I heard a strange beeping sound in my ears. It had several different tones. Seven, to be exact. Sure 'nuff, the rest of the group was hammering on their horns at me.
I was already turned up the road so I pulled over and as I did, I glanced up the road. "Oh he!!," I thought. There's no gas stations up there. I turned right into a little street and started to whip around and go back the other way where I could see a Shell station and a Chevron station across the street from each other. "Well, damm," I thought. "We have to make a left turn and traffic is heavy. Everyone is now scattered all along the side of the road, trying to get turned around and go back. This is actually a little dangerous, frankly." Such were the thoughts of Wag as he observed the group lining up to take that left. A LOT of traffic was going by both ways and it was apparent that it was going to take a while.
(Some of the rest of these facts we ascertained afterwards but I'll weave them in here as it makes a far better story.)
One large truck went by. It was kinda like those tanker trucks full of roofing tar or even just a garbage truck. The smell of burning brakes was in the air and I paid it little attention, being focused on the group, frankly. All of a sudden we heard a 'CRUNCH' to our left and then immediately, a column of water was shooting six stories into the air. Amazing! The utility truck had burned out its brakes coming down the hill, couldn't stop at the red light just before the gas stations, and plowed into a pickup truck exiting the freeway, tossing it up on the curb where it took out a fire hydrant. There is a six story building there and the water was going over the roof.
Karma was with us that day. If it hadn't been for the fact that I haven't been up in that area in over 17 years and for the fact that I had forgotten that there are NO gas stations to the right, I would have turned left. I would have turned where I knew the gas stations to be. And all eight of us would have been sitting at that light when that utility truck came through with no brakes. It would have wiped us all out in the blink of an eye. We would have all been on the news, guaranteed.
Some of the group tried to make me out to be a hero but the fact is, Wag effed up big time and it turned out for the best by sheer good fortune. Those of you who believe in a god, pray to him and thank him for us. If you believe in good fortune, getcher butt down and buy a lottery ticket. I, for one, am a believer in none of these and merely consider us all highly fortunate. The simple fact is, at any time, any place, circumstances and coinkydink can collide and take yer butt out. Or, they can completely miss each other and your life is saved.
My grandfather, many many years ago used to always say, "I never complain about when things happen to make me late to an appointment or meeting. You never know when that five-minute delay just saved your life or at least kept you from an accident." I'm reflecting on that big time right now. We were there at just the right time to die. But we live because Wag effed up. Remember that. A simple mistake is not the most terrible thing. Just adjust, correct your course and remember, you're still just fine!
Chapter 3
We went and gassed up and ogled the accident for a while from the gas station parking lot, then went on to ride up Angeles Crest. We pulled out at one point for a water break, 20 minutes into the ride. As we were standing around, B.S.ing each other, a couple cars went by followed by a TLR 1000. As they went by, the TLR went to go around the rear car, crossing the double yellow. From our position, we could see an oncoming car on a collision course with the guy. I had visions of parts exploding all over the road. The guy made it. Barely.
(I should point out that the guy NEVER downshifted when he passed the car and was lugging it the whole way. Remember, folks, when you're going up hill or you're in heavy traffic, don't lug your bikes. You can't maneuver well enough when you don't have your engine speed and power available to you. Even the smaller bikes, folks. A couple dozen other H.Oers could probably comment on this MUCH better than I.)
After I remembered to breathe again, and we were done "Wowing" and "Oh my godding" about it, we started to think about moving on when the guy came back down the road and pulled over to chat with us. He said, "Aw, there was a lot more space there than it looked like." Of course, that's B.S. in my book: The guy simply doesn't have the skill to pull a dangerous maneuver like that. At the very least, he doesn't understand his engine, etc. etc. well enough to ride up Angeles Crest and pass on the double yellows.
Chapter 4
Well, we all hopped on our rides and rode up to where the road is closed. Not that far, really. 15 miles I think? We turned right around and went back. Lo and behold, water was STILL shooting sky high into the air and we couldn't go across the freeway to get on the eastbound onramp. Bummer. We went West and looped around the next exit and at that point, everyone dispersed and went home.
It was a ODD day to say the least!
--Wag--
Here's the one pic Ms. Wag took with her Palm.
