playing chicken

[trykemike]

A few weeks ago I was riding back from the lake. The highway is a 2 lane 50 mph road. Traffic usually runs at 55 - 60 mph. No problem for the GZ . This road is heavily used by gravel trucks some pulling trailers. The trucks usually run at 60-65 mph. There are several hills along the route. On 1 long hill I encounterd a gravel truck pulling an empty trailer. I was doing 55 mph and as the truck pulled onto the highway from the on ramp he cut in front of me I braked to avoid being hit. Later along the route we encountered a long hill with 2 lanes on the up-side. I decided to pass this same truck. He picked up speed and as I approached in excess of 75 mph and the half-way mark of his trailer he decided that he had enough of me and signaled that he was pulling into my lane. I could see these big tires coming at me I was forced to straddle the yellow line as an oncoming transport approached, I was able to fade back in behind the gravel truck at the last second. The lesson that I learned is not to play the ego with something bigger than you and if you are already exceeding the posted speed limit there is no reason to pass.

[Water Warrior 2]

That sounds pretty scary. I sometimes have to play with logging trucks in my travels so I can relate to what you say. Please keep in mind the GZ is also a very small target in a trucker's mirror. Make yourself as visible as possible.

[alanmcorcoran]

If you like to pass things, get a bigger bike. On the Strat, I just imagine myself in front of, well, ANYTHING, and I'm pretty much already there. It goes from 60-100 in about 2 seconds.

I only pass pedestrians and bicyclists when I'm on the Geezer (assuming I've got a tailwind and we're not going uphill.)

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

If you like to pass things, get a bigger bike. On the Strat, I just imagine myself in front of, well, ANYTHING, and I'm pretty much already there. It goes from 60-100 in about 2 seconds.

I only pass pedestrians and bicyclists when I'm on the Geezer (assuming I've got a tailwind and we're not going uphill.)

I can believe that. Was once passed by a kid on a skate board going downhill on the highway. I kept waiting for a bearing failure at 60 MPH and watching him get spit off with no safety gear.