The Catskill Chronicle

Friday, September 11, 2009

Had the closest call of the trip so far today.

Was riding down a mountain road, being as alert as usual. A huge lumber truck was coming around a sharp turn in front of me. It passed with its chain of frustrated drivers in tow, all wishing they could pass.

As I approached the turn I suddenly realized I’d misread the speed indication sign way back there; just before the truck obscured it from view. I thought it had read 35mph, meaning I could take it comfortably with a fun lean at 45mph. Well, as I was right on top of the turn it turned out that the sign read 15mph! Ahh! I was going 30 mph too fast for what turned out to be a switchback!

I leaned the bike over as far as I could, but still went over into the oncoming lane, and over the shoulder. I missed hitting the gravel/guardrail by about 6 inches. Thank god there was no one in the on coming lane!

Anyhoo. Still very much alive:)