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lane-changing and braking at the last minute. I and my trusty ST1100 are cruising comfortably, aware of all dangers, looking out for surprises, alert and ready. And then I was confronted by something that no MSF, AMA or rider's course could adequately predict. You know those plastic grocery bags? Ever seen one being blown around in traffic? I saw one a couple of lanes away. Didn't pay it much heed (why should I?). And in less than a second, it was caught by the draft of three vehicles in precisely the perfect way to toss it into my path where it wrapped around my helmet like an octopus around a meal! Just as I was exiting 635E to 75N.
So here's my predicament: completely blind on a motorcycle in traffic decelerating through 45mph in a decreasing radius blind left turn on rough pavement with slowing traffic in front, traffic to the side, traffic to the rear, and a guardrail/embankent on the left. The good news - it wasn't raining.
For an instant, I'm dumbfounded because I've NEVER been in any predicament remotely resembling this one. I'll carry the mental snap shot of the moment before the bag got me for the rest of my life, I'll bet. White Saturn about 1 sec in front (braking), Haverty's delivery truck to my right front, red Cadillac Fleetwood immediately to my right, tractor trailer hauling culverts on a flat bed to my rear, concrete embankment and mangled guard rail to my left. And then, instantly, my world is a pale "Tom Thumb" on translucent brown.
What do you do?
First reaction - relax throttle while reaching quickly with the left hand to remove bag (try turning Bible pages with touring gloves for full effect). I couldn't feel the bag, much less grab it. Next, wipe my glove across my helmet from side-to-side to move the bag... that doesn't work either - the wind has got this bag glued to my helmet. Perhaps a full second has elapsed
now (probably a lot less, but time does funny things when you're in the barrel) and I hear my first horn - the Cadillac to my right. I don't know if he's honking at me, the truck ahead or the sun above. I assume me because I'm probably swinging wide through the turn. So I pull the right bar back to lean more (left hand still flailing at the helmet) and start rear braking (right hand fully occupied steering). But there's a guard rail over here somewhere and at this speed, it'll mangle my leg beyond repair. So I tuck my knees in as hard as I can. Back to the helmet. I'm clawing at the bag now, but it won't move at all and I can't see at all. That Saturn ahead was braking, wasn't it? And this turn is getting sharper, I know, but I have no idea where I am in the turn or where I'm headed? All this and vertigo, too?
And then the tractor trailer behind me lets loose with airhorns and airbrakes. Situation critical.
I don't remember consciously thinking of this - it was probably desperation - but I jammed my thumb under the visor and
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