Sidestepping Over the Line

I don't know what your ride to work is like. Hope it's cool and something you look forward to each day. Mine is not too bad, a little short and only a couple of good curves, but I still like the commute.


There is one mile-long section that circumvents the main streets and signals through town. Daily I enjoy opening up my bike along the flat continuous curve. I can usually get the Ultra up to about 95 on this stretch. It feels great to be running fast along next to a ranch and a park. I like trying to ride smoothly at top speed without wobbling or drifting, just one long consistent lean at full throttle. These days the morning run is made in the dark.

As I was getting my morning jollies today I spotted a stakebed ahead and decided to pass him on the left along the outside. He drifted a bit toward the center line which forced me to use a left turn lane in the median. As it would happen this median was covered with sand. Suddenly everything got light. Together the bike and I just took a big slide step to the left. It was like a country line dance. "Step, and together! Well, done everyone."


As you probably know, theses things don't usually go that smoothly. Often the front tire slides first, the rider adjusts, the rear tire slides, and when you regain grip on the far side the bike is out of alignment which at high speed can result in a high side crash. That dance step is usually called the "Roadkill Spill." It was so unusual and fortunate to feel the whole bike shuffle left in perfect unison that on the far side when traction was restored I gave it a stab of throttle, scooted back into my lane, raised my arms, hooted and shouted, "Jesus saves!"


Minutes later when I pulled into the parking lot at work the boss was walking by. I guess the smile had not yet left my face because he asked me, "Is it really that great to be back at work today?"


"Guess so," I replied, sidestepping that issue too.