What did we do wrong?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
What did we do wrong?
My buddy and I planned to ride our bikes (Ultra and Goldwing) from Oklahoma City to Houston last weekend. But heavy rain was forcasted, so we ended up driving my buddies corvette.
Along the way, a slow convoy of trucks in the right lane forced the rest of the traffic to pass in the left lane. But there was a truck two cars ahead of us slowing our lane to the same speed as the right lane when climbing a hill. As a result, traffic was really backing up with several cars behind us.
We were far enough behind the car in front of us that if hit the brakes hard, we could stop. But all of a sudden the car in front of us ran over a pallet dropped by the trcuk in front of him scattering it across our path. My buddy hit his brakes pretty hard trying to maneuver around the big chunks the corvette wouldn't make it over, but this happened on a bridge, so there was no emergeny lane to steer over to. Well I knew what was going to happen, we were rear ended by a Chevy truck.
We were all OK, the guy in the truck felt very bad and has good insurance. The car has at least $5000 worth of damage and we finished the trip fine. But my buddy said something that has me thinking, "thank goodness we weren't on our bikes". That really brough a cold chill over me. I like to think I'm a pretty safe rider, but I think would have rode my Ultra the in the same position my buddy drove the vett. I likely wouldn't have it the brakes as hard, but I can't say that for sure.
My question for you folks is what did we do wrong and what should we have done if we were on bikes.
Along the way, a slow convoy of trucks in the right lane forced the rest of the traffic to pass in the left lane. But there was a truck two cars ahead of us slowing our lane to the same speed as the right lane when climbing a hill. As a result, traffic was really backing up with several cars behind us.
We were far enough behind the car in front of us that if hit the brakes hard, we could stop. But all of a sudden the car in front of us ran over a pallet dropped by the trcuk in front of him scattering it across our path. My buddy hit his brakes pretty hard trying to maneuver around the big chunks the corvette wouldn't make it over, but this happened on a bridge, so there was no emergeny lane to steer over to. Well I knew what was going to happen, we were rear ended by a Chevy truck.
We were all OK, the guy in the truck felt very bad and has good insurance. The car has at least $5000 worth of damage and we finished the trip fine. But my buddy said something that has me thinking, "thank goodness we weren't on our bikes". That really brough a cold chill over me. I like to think I'm a pretty safe rider, but I think would have rode my Ultra the in the same position my buddy drove the vett. I likely wouldn't have it the brakes as hard, but I can't say that for sure.
My question for you folks is what did we do wrong and what should we have done if we were on bikes.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,594
Likes: 178
From: east texas
simple case of following too close for conditions.
you see it all the time on the road .
20 cars/vehicles...running nose to tail ...then a half mile of open space.
then another 20+ running together
If you would back off the "pack " and get into that open space then you would not have to slow as rapidly .
Never trust the guy in front of you ..but the guy behind you is the real concern.
you see it all the time on the road .
20 cars/vehicles...running nose to tail ...then a half mile of open space.
then another 20+ running together
If you would back off the "pack " and get into that open space then you would not have to slow as rapidly .
Never trust the guy in front of you ..but the guy behind you is the real concern.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 10
From: San Angelo, Texas
simple case of following too close for conditions.
you see it all the time on the road .
20 cars/vehicles...running nose to tail ...then a half mile of open space.
then another 20+ running together
If you would back off the "pack " and get into that open space then you would not have to slow as rapidly .
Never trust the guy in front of you ..but the guy behind you is the real concern.
you see it all the time on the road .
20 cars/vehicles...running nose to tail ...then a half mile of open space.
then another 20+ running together
If you would back off the "pack " and get into that open space then you would not have to slow as rapidly .
Never trust the guy in front of you ..but the guy behind you is the real concern.
I will run the interstate when I need to make time in clear weather, other than that I stay on the back roads for just this kind of event. And while it may cost me a few miles in the day, or an extra hour to make a long trip, I will be a whole lot more relaxed when we stop, which is one of the main reasons why I ride anyway!
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 6
From: Route 66
Without being there I couldn't say you done anything wrong sometimes **** just happens. As for what to do on a bike, I would say do anything you can. I hit a pallet years ago on a sportster late at night after having a few drinks(I know, I don't drink and drive these days), I didn't even see it coming at me until it was right in front of me. I stood up a bit taking my weight off the seat and leaned back like I would on a dirt bike and braced for the worst. Somehow I went over it and stayed up right although the gal riding behind me drew some blood clawing into my sides.
I would say pucker your *** up real tight, that may be what saved me... lol
I would say pucker your *** up real tight, that may be what saved me... lol
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 223
Riding in Northern NJ my whole life. Trucks, road debri and heavy traffic are the price you pay to play here. I'm no expert, somehow I've managed to stay alive for many seasons riding in NYC, NJ, PA, CT, Boston and Philly.
I've seen enough accidents and had enough crap fly off of trucks or be kicked up on the road to learn the following.
I give myself a big pillow of air all around me when riding, if that space gets squeezed then I take whatever steps are needed to get the f*ck out of a bad deal, even if that means speeding or "creative passing". Also, there are times where I will slow down or pull over to get out of a bad deal, it does not happen all the time, but I've done it and lived to ride another day.
When I'm in a situation where there is no escape route like a bridge or stopped in traffic on a busy highway or road, my main concern is what the f*ck is behind me. Stuff to the side or in front of me I can see and come up with a plan to "try" and get the hell out of the way, but I start off my escape route with dealing with what is behind me first. Even if there are 2 cars parked behind me, the 3rd one can come flying up and F*ck me and the cars behind me up.
I've seen enough accidents and had enough crap fly off of trucks or be kicked up on the road to learn the following.
I give myself a big pillow of air all around me when riding, if that space gets squeezed then I take whatever steps are needed to get the f*ck out of a bad deal, even if that means speeding or "creative passing". Also, there are times where I will slow down or pull over to get out of a bad deal, it does not happen all the time, but I've done it and lived to ride another day.
When I'm in a situation where there is no escape route like a bridge or stopped in traffic on a busy highway or road, my main concern is what the f*ck is behind me. Stuff to the side or in front of me I can see and come up with a plan to "try" and get the hell out of the way, but I start off my escape route with dealing with what is behind me first. Even if there are 2 cars parked behind me, the 3rd one can come flying up and F*ck me and the cars behind me up.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 537
Likes: 120
From: DELMARVA
Room for Mistakes
I play a game called "how big a space is POSSIBLE between me and the vehicle in front of me?"
I try to have at least a half a mile of breathing space as you can never have too much. Seriously, I have been know to just pull off the road and let the tailgater hoople-heads all go past for five minutes until I can find some more room.
I would rather arrive last than not arrive at all.
Funny thing is it is amazing how little time I actually lose using this sort of mental mind set.
You DEFINITELY were too close to the car in front and you guys should have PROBABLY not been in the left "fast" lane as it was going no where anyway. Why DID you pull over there?
In short---what you did wrong is you allowed yourself to get "boxed in" and had no room for error...
I try to have at least a half a mile of breathing space as you can never have too much. Seriously, I have been know to just pull off the road and let the tailgater hoople-heads all go past for five minutes until I can find some more room.
I would rather arrive last than not arrive at all.
Funny thing is it is amazing how little time I actually lose using this sort of mental mind set.
You DEFINITELY were too close to the car in front and you guys should have PROBABLY not been in the left "fast" lane as it was going no where anyway. Why DID you pull over there?
In short---what you did wrong is you allowed yourself to get "boxed in" and had no room for error...
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
Yeah this, simple truth,if you had been on your bikes you would have been either further forward or further back down the road and not been involved in an accident atall.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 171
From: Simi Valley, CA
Here's where I think you went wrong... Many will disagree but this is how I feel and the way I would have handled the situation.
You should've been splitting lanes until you were clear of the slow convoy of trucks.
I know lane splitting isn't legal where you were at so that means you have to be even more vigilant if you do. You know some of those trucks are going to try to block you and you have to be on the lookout for cops. That's where the real fun begins!
You should've been splitting lanes until you were clear of the slow convoy of trucks.
I know lane splitting isn't legal where you were at so that means you have to be even more vigilant if you do. You know some of those trucks are going to try to block you and you have to be on the lookout for cops. That's where the real fun begins!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
That really brough a cold chill over me. I like to think I'm a pretty safe rider, but I think would have rode my Ultra the in the same position my buddy drove the vett. I likely wouldn't have it the brakes as hard, but I can't say that for sure.
My question for you folks is what did we do wrong and what should we have done if we were on bikes.
My question for you folks is what did we do wrong and what should we have done if we were on bikes.
If you were on your bike you would have had more room (not being as wide as a corvette) to avoid the debris and hopefully you would have.