Monday was the quietest day on my calendar.  The weather Tuesday and Wednesday didn’t look friendly for motorcyclists.  So, today is the day that I chose to ride. Riding is an amazing experience but dangerous traffic is a constant hesitation.

Once all of my gear was on I fired up my V-twin.  I rolled out of our neighborhood and into the morning rush hour traffic.  My motorcycle safety training has made it second nature to Scan everything ahead, Identify dangers, Predict possible scenarios, Decide in advance how to avoid hazards and Execute a pre-decided plan should danger present itself.  It’s an acronym known by motorcyclists as SIPDE.

Ahead at the first major intersection that I would encounter on my commute, the light had turned green.  Traffic in my lane was moving through the intersection.  An itchy driver in the oncoming left turn lane was inching forward.  He slammed on his brakes instead of darting out against a red light when he realized that I was coming through.  Sheepishly, he hung his head when I rode by.

Then, I was on the interstate, making my way through unusually heavy morning traffic.  My speed matched posted limits.  Traffic around me was flowing smoothly.  But, there is one spot on a right banking curve where the left lane comes to an end.  It is a very dangerous spot.

Rushing up from behind me in that soon-to-disappear-left-lane, a small SUV roared up to the end of that left lane.  She bolted to her right crowding into my lane.  There wasn’t any time to think.  I laid on my horn and bolted ahead with a fully twisted throttle. 

Our eyes met.  Hers were wide as a saucer, her mouth open, frozen in the middle of the conversation that she was having on her cell phone.  Steering with one hand and braking hard, her car careened close enough to kiss, I mean kick. 

She deserved and needed the Heavenly-Father-stare that I gave her.  No words, no wild gestures, just a look through my dark face shield.  She and her little SUV disappeared in my rear view mirror to distances far to the rear.

By the way, her daughter did the same thing to me on the way home from work at another merging-traffic-section of the interstate system.  I’m sure that they talking on their cell phones now wondering why there are so many motorcycles ridden by hot Asian men on the freeway.