Man in the Mirror
An honest rider will look in the mirror from time to time and remind themselves of their skills and limits — something different than the summation of years and miles on the road. This morning while sitting in the Pump Station Cafe after a brisk ride on the Vespa I was quizzing myself on the creeping of complacency into my rides. It was time for a personal riding lesson.
Complacency equals disaster on two wheels.
Just a Little Ride
Riding experience is seductive and the more comfortable you become the easier it is to believe you’ve gained some magical riding power that will keep you safe. Things happen on the road — other vehicles behave erratically, animals rush about, weather transforms the day, expectations of the road surface prove false or any of a thousand little things waiting to complicate a rider’s life.
A lot can conspire against me when I ride and if I’m telling myself I’m experienced and ready I might be kidding myself. I may have what I need between my ears but if I don’t apply it constantly its not much use. Attention is required second by second when you’re riding otherwise complacency surfaces. Pile it on a little daydreaming and all the elements for a little personal riding lesson are in place.
That’s what happened on a little ride this morning.
Wild, Happy and Free
Tearing along a forest road this morning like I didn’t have a care in the world. When I first ventured onto gravel with the Vespa many years ago it was an exercise in slow speed creeping. And now, with lots of gravel roads behind me I can ride a little faster. Despite the thermometer hovering at 31F I had dismissed most concerns with ice. The gravel road was clear as far as I could see and besides — what better traction than gravel.
So on I went on one of those rides where you just have to smile.
Enter the Unexpected
Thankfully I was only going about 20mph when I became aware of the ice. My gut wants me to hit the brakes but it was far too late for that. Same with maneuvering toward a bare strip on the road. Had I been paying closer attention I would have seen the ice in time to slow down or stop and pick my way through the hazard.
I was certain I was going to dump the Vespa.
So I’m left applying experience in a hurry. I knew enough not to brake, swerve or scrub off speed. The best course was to keep my eyes up, feet on the scooter, stay in a straight line and head for the ice free section about 60 feet away. No panic or sudden moves — just keep going. I understood how it would work and did what I had to do.
No slip, no slide, no fall.
Still, a personal riding lesson was in order. Riding in sub-freezing weather regardless of how tame the road looks always has a risk of unexpected ice.
So some more deliberate looks in the mirror, reminders of who I need to be on the road, and acceptance that my experience is only as good as my willingness to apply it.
No action without a reaction? You saw the ice unlike so-called black ice. However, Steve that selfie/mug shot ages you something terrible; you could have least shaved before taking your portrait! (big grin)
They don’t look so bad on my iPhone when I make them. But like they say — the camera never lies!
Experience and correct actions saved the day. Yeah, noticing the ice before being on top of it would have been better but you knew what to do, or rather, not do. Well done.
Quite the unnerving feeling isn’t it, being on top of ice?
Yeah, I’ve been on ice plenty of times but never moving fast. You really are helpless and just have to hope you can keep gravity in line and not cause the tires to break loose.
Next time I’ll pay closer attention.
First comment is about thermodynamics. The wet bulb temperature is always less than the dry bulb temperature which is what the bank and radio will tell you it is outside. With just a little breeze and evaporation, the wet surface can chill to the wet bulb temp and freeze the water. Remember the signs about bridges freezing before roadway. That’s why newer cars will display ice icon when the exterior temp (dry bulb) gets to 37 F.
Next, remember to keep shoulders loose and aim toward better road conditions, as you did. Keep the bike upright and prepare to reach better traction. Works on gravel too.
We’ll see if I can apply this tomorrow as I take my new-to-me KL250 Super Sherpa to some unpaved trails.
Gene
I usually am not caught unaware like I was this time. Distracted no doubt. I learned early about head up, no death grip on the bars and aim well. Have improved my gravel riding with that and it worked on the ice too.
Ugh.
The Super Sherpa is a great bike. Hope you had fun with it.
“my experience is only as good as my willingness to apply it”.
These are some wise words that many riders never keep in mind.
We all should.
We’re not Steve McQueen, though we like to think we do.
I’m definitely not Steve McQueen. As a kid his cooler king character in The Great Escape was a hero. But I never imagined being like him.
A couple of weeks ago I was headed across Angeles Crest Hwy. It was about 82 at the bottom of the Mountains and 54 on the backside of the mountain but still a good bit of snow in the sides of the road. I had cut my speed from 55 to 30ish while riding through the snowy area. When I saw the large area of ice I aimed straight made no changes & tried to stay loose, no drama, the same when I came back through.
I seem to spend a lot of time assessing my riding skills, especially on my commute to and from work. Lately the SO has started riding with me. Although the weekends are spent riding with my daughter riding with my wife has been a whole new learning curve.
Those temperature changes always fascinate me. The only big shift like that I’ve experienced has been sailing. Once out of Camden, Maine near 90F in town and in the high Forties in the Gulf of Maine. My T-shirt didn’t prepare me.
Had to chuckle at the new learning curve. Could imagine more than a few scenarios…
We spent yesterday in the Jeep crawling around Tussey Mountain and encountered a LOT of ice. Even 4WD low range was just effective enough to prevent disaster in one instance. We were lucky. I wonder if that guy in a regular 2WD car ever got out of there?
BTW, when I look in the mirror, I wonder who that old man is.
I was on he road the parallel’s RT45 and the top of Tussey Mountain. Lot’s of sunshine hitting it so mostly clear of ice. Not like some of the deep cuts where you probably were. The ice up there can be bad. Last time I attempted it was with a 2WD pickup with chains. Chains help.
Two selfies!?! Nice.
We all have “teaching moments” like yours. Luckily, your moment didn’t end in a fall.
I’m always thankful for learning experiences, even if some are more painful and expensive than others.