Triumphrat

Chilly

All took place in two counties, here in Western Washington, with a combined population of 300K. What the #@%* is going on? Two separate fatalities in one day! Both failed to negotiate a turn. Sorry folks but hearing this stuff breaks my heart and just burns through me and compels me to write (more to purge than lecture). What's going on? Is it the price of gas forcing more people onto two wheels? Is it boomers getting back on a bike after decades away trying to relive the glory days and realizing too late that they, in fact, are not as good as they used to be or never that good to begin with? Is it that a 650cc 400lbs motorcycle is considered "small"? Could it be image and ego vs actual ability? The article stated that as a result of this recent rash of fatal accidents the Washington Highway Patrol was planning to "crackdown" on motorcyclist's this month and next. Its NOVEMBER in Western Washington! Lots of luck. The few of us who ride when its wet or raining are in for some real scrutiny by the good men and women patrolling our roadways. Why not wait until April or May to make your point.
Motorcycling is inherently dangerous, always has been and always will be. Whether your new to the sport, returning or have thousands of miles in the saddle (complacency is a killer) strive to be better than you were yesterday. Every time you throw your leg over the saddle make it your goal to operate that bike with more precision, alertness and in a safer manner than you did the time before. Every time! Say it, think about that goal before putting the bike in gear. The odds are not in our favor that we will ride a lifetime without an incident. I know this but I love to ride so it is my choice. It is also my choice to fight the odds by continuing to learn and try to ride better than I did the time before.
That's it I'm done now. Thanks for the opportunity to get rid of some frustration.
Rick

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"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything" - Charles Kuralt

Tbirdnz

Apart from the two that failed to negotiate a turn it is difficult to say exactly what and who caused the accidents. To crack down on motorcyclists because of accidents would be the same as saying here to crack down on cyclists for the number of accidents they are having here. Most of them however are being bowled over by cars !

Failing to negotiate a turn is probably inexperience coupled with speed, ride within your limits and the limits of the road and above all ride sensibly.

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Ride on !