Motorcycles and Amish Strawberries

It’s been a busy week on Jericho Road.  Getting caught up with gardening and lawn work, spending time with family (yeah!), and following the progress of Jacob’s barn renovations. Today was the big day.  Must have been around 200 men crawling all over the barn.  It’s been fun capturing the process on my camera.  I try to stay at an acceptable distance, but with telephoto it is possible to get some nice “close” shots.  

Tee-shaped barn being enlarged to double the width, and replacing all the roof rafters, roofing and siding.

Field full of the horses and buggies of the workers.

This handsome fellow wouldn't be happy if he knew he was being photographed.

On the top.  See the next photo for perspective.  

A lot more of the crew is on the other side of the barn.

Two photos showing mid-day and end of day.  Great work!

Well, it’s that time of year.  Fresh strawberries from one of our Amish neighbors on Zuercher Road graced our table nearly every day this week.  Small primitive signs at the ends of many driveways advertise the seasonal delicacy.  Little boys wearing straw hats hold the boxes of berries out at passing cars.  It’s hard to resist.  For the next two or three weeks we’ll enjoy them to the max, and put some jam away for the winter months.

Vacation Bible School begins on Sunday.  It always surprises me how many Amish children come.  They usually outnumber our own children two to one.  I pick up a carload of them each evening, and it’s fun to listen to the lively chatter coming from the back seat.  They love to talk about Cleveland sports teams.  They must have radios tucked away somewhere.

And it’s two-wheel time.  Everyone who owns a bicycle or motorcycle is hitting the roadways.  Safety is always the rider’s concern—myself included.  I own a thirty-year-old light-blue Goldwing, and enjoy going out for slow evening rides around the countryside.   In the summer, this is my main mode of transportation when it’s not raining.  Just like when walking, one can smell all the wonderful country scents.  

Exactly ten years ago, my brothers and I enjoyed a motorcycle trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway—and beyond—including the Tail of the Dragon.  Through conversations and personal experience, I came up with the following list to help us think about safety before we made the journey.             

             SUGGESTIONS FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Disclaimer: Any resemblance to things that are taught in a motorcycle safety course is completely coincidental.  Use these suggestions as a supplement, not a replacement.

1. Defensive Riding.  This will be the first and last suggestion in this list.  All other suggestions will pale compared to this one.  Remember, above all else, that you as a motorcyclist have become invisible to many people.  It’s nothing short of a modern day miracle gone awry.

2. Road Trash.  This does not refer to people or vehicles.  This is a warning to always be aware of things on the road.  Your cycle reacts much differently than your car, to dead animals, pieces of tires or metal, stones, mud, sand etc.  Always be watchful.

3. Center Line.  The center-line of the road divides the oncoming traffic from you.  It is not there to ride on.  Don’t even ride close to it.  It makes oncoming drivers nervous.  I’ve had the experience of riding behind someone who hugged the line.  The oncoming drivers would almost go off the road to give him room.  It scared me because I was afraid they would go off the road and jerk back onto it just in time to be thrown into my path.  That would not be good.  If you are riding with someone who cannot break this habit, perhaps they should ride at the back of the pack.

4. Avoid Raccoons.  Never kick a raccoon that’s crossing the road.  A friend of mine tried this.  He made a point of saying he would never do it again.  He said it felt like he kicked a large rock, and it nearly knocked him off his cycle.  The raccoon survived, but offered up some really interesting gymnastics in the middle of the road.

5. Avoid Dogs.  Watch out for the canines.  They tend to go after the first rider.  You will have to somehow miss them if you are next in line.  My raccoon-kicking friend sometimes carries a buggy whip along to educate them.   This is more of a problem for bicycle riders than motorcycle riders.

6. Photography.  Avoid snapping pictures while riding.  I’ve done this a few times, and have decided it isn’t safe.  Got some really neat shots, but it always made me feel a little uneasy—like I was teasing fate.  Looking through a camera lens changes the way things appear.  A GoPro is a much safer option.

7. Lemming Mentality.  Lemmings are small creatures who are known to mindlessly follow each other off cliffs into the ocean, where they drown.  This is not a particularly good way to die.  So when riding with others, think for yourself, and don’t follow the pack at speeds that you are not comfortable with.  Slow down and go at a pace that feels safe to you.  Never try to keep up a pace to save face.  The face you save may be your own.  

8. Rider Spacing.  Never ride side by side.  I see people doing this sometimes, but it just isn’t safe.  Not enough wiggle room.  When riding with one or more persons, keep several cycle lengths between you and stagger your positions in your lane.  This is the safest way to travel in groups, and makes you much more visible to oncoming traffic and vehicles at intersections.

9. Hand signals.  It’s a good idea to develop a few simple signals with which you can pass information about things on the road, sharp curves, your intentions to stop, etc.

10. The Wave.  What’s up with the motorcyclist wave?  There seems to be an unwritten rule that all motorcyclists must wave at all other motorcyclists.  And there seems to be two standard waves which cyclists give to each other at every opportunity.  A fist up and out, or an open hand down and out.  Of course it’s a friendly gesture to wave at other cyclists, but it’s always awkward when you pass a long string of them.  Do you give a quick wave to each one, or just keep your hand in the air?  For myself, I keep my hand on the grip when that happens.  I prefer safety over the possibility of being considered a snob.

11. Inexperienced Riders.  It is not wise to include an inexperienced rider in a pack of experienced riders out for a joy ride in the hills.  They should cautiously learn to ride on lonely roads until they can pass a test.  Better yet, new riders should complete a motorcycle safety course before joining group rides.   I once rode with two very green riders.  Due to the curvy, hilly roads we chose, we were very fortunate to make it home in one piece.  Once was enough.

12. Blind Curves.  On right hand curves, hang fairly tight to the right side of your lane.  Local drivers have a tendency to know the road too well and will commonly cut through the lane to save time.  I’ve experienced this several times and was thankful for the fact that I was holding tight to the inside.  On left-hand curves, it pays to stay about in the middle of your lane.  This gives you a buffer to move either direction a little if need be.

13. Competition.  Don’t.  If you suffer from the need to compete, get a dirt bike and do it off the road somewhere.  If you are the incorrigible street competitor, please consider a moped.

14. Pre-ride Inspection.  Always do a quick check on nuts and bolts for tightness. Check oil level and tire pressure.  Top off the gasoline.  Get your mind in gear first, then the cycle.

15. Riding Defensively.  Again, this is by far the most important thing to remember.  This is the heart and soul of safe riding. Yes, you must learn proper techniques, practical attire, good maintenance practices, and have intimate knowledge of your machine.  However, all those things are for naught if you forget to watch out for those to whom you have become invisible.  At intersections, always be prepared to yield.  Watch the driver’s eyes to see if he sees you.  Watch his tires for movement.  Hopefully there will be time to stop if he begins pulling into your path.  I’ve often wondered something.  If a collision appears to be inevitable, would it be possible to leap high into the air a split second before impact.  This could conceivably send you sailing over the car while your cycle plows into the side of it, with fewer injuries sustained.  I hope I never need to try it.  This technique will probably not work on a large truck or bus.  In that case, hit the brakes hard, make every evasive maneuver possible, and pray. (Always a good idea anyway.)  Finally, always expect the unexpected.  For cycle riders, that’s more than just a nice cliché.  

* * * * * * * * * * *

Below is an illustration that demonstrates how easily the eyes can be fooled.  Motorcycles can just as easily be missed by a quick glance.  Never enter a roadway or drive across an intersection without looking twice.  Save a cyclist’s life.  

Look around in the large block, and try to count the little black dots.  Notice anything?

Perhaps you have additional thoughts and ideas for safe riding.  Feel free to add to this list.   Happy riding, and keep the shiny side up.  

That’s all from Kidron, Ohio, where a few rare men would rather go for a walk or a cycle ride, than watch the Cavaliers vie for a title; a town where the beautiful Swiss women enjoy watching their families destroy the warm buttermilk crumb cake that’s covered generously with fresh crushed strawberries; and a curious place where the Amish kids listen devoutly to sports on the radio.  We’ll find out what they think about Labron next week.   So long.