The Awakening of a Biker: My Journey Away from the Highway

Imagine waking up one day to a world where your own safety is not guaranteed. This is the reality I faced as a biker in the early 80s, where I traded my dirt bike for a Honda Saber and found myself face to face with a dark side of road safety.

The story begins in the early 80s, after my graduation and securing a job. I traded in my trusty dirt bike for the Honda Saber, a water-cooled and shaft-drive cruiser, not your typical biker gang favorite. This bike was perfect for cruising, yet equipped with enough power to quickly catch anyone's attention, if the need ever arose!

A Tense Encounter on the Highway

But every good journey has its bumps, and as a biker, I encountered the kind that left me questioning my existence on the open road. A series of incidents began to shed light on the reckless behavior of other drivers. Cutting me off and ignoring my presence became the new norm, often dismissing my bike as merely passing by. I chalked up these incidents to simple inattentiveness or blindness, and I decided to simply avoid them as much as possible.

One day, during a routine trip, a car suddenly changed its course on me. This was a deliberate action, not an accident or a mere oversight. As I was cruising at a moderate speed, a car in the opposite lane swiftly pulled up alongside me, its occupants seemingly unconcerned and even encouraging the driver to get closer. From the back seat, the passengers seemed to be partying, while I focused on the road. However, the situation quickly deteriorated. The driver aimed to run me off the road near a steep embankment, effectively attempting a traffic accident just for the sake of it. What once seemed like an accident now appeared calculated and sinister.

In response to this life-threatening situation, I employed a simple but effective biking technique: I shifted down to third gear and accelerated. The sudden boost in speed caused my front tire to lift off the road, and with continued acceleration, my speed exceeded 100mph. It was a daring, albeit risky, maneuver that effectively outmaneuvered the would-be attackers. They, realizing they were outmatched, disappeared over the hill, leaving me shaken but alive.

The Realization and the Shift

This encounter was a turning point. It shattered my previous perception of these incidents as mere misfortunes and instead revealed a more sinister reality. The deliberate nature of the incident and the passengers’ approval emphasized a more alarming aspect: these drivers were not just misbehaving, but were intentionally trying to cause harm. This realization was a wake-up call, and I knew it was time to reassess my relationship with biking.

Moreover, the near-accident highlighted the inherent risks of biking, especially when compared to driving. If I had been in a car, the scenario would have played out very differently. I had not considered the extreme measures I was willing to take to ensure my safety. Should I have succeeded in driving off the embankment, I would have provided them with an impromptu crash course in traffic safety, leaving me in a life-threatening situation, and they with a thrilling personal achievement. The ethical and practical dilemmas were clear: the joy of biking was now overshadowed by the risk of injury or death, not just for me but for anyone on the road.

A New Journey: Embracing a Safer Path

With the understanding that my biking days were numbered, I decided to make changes. I embraced a new culture of DIY security measures. From better driving practices to purchasing high-end safety gear, every aspect of my cycling experience was re-evaluated with safety in mind. The freedom and pleasure of biking still remained, but it was now balanced with newfound vigilance and self-protection.

The journey away from the highway is not about denying anyone their pleasure, but acknowledging the importance of personal safety in the face of a more insidious reality. It's about understanding that while biking offers a unique and exhilarating experience, the world is not always as friendly as it seems. By staying informed and taking precautions, we ensure that cycling remains a safe and enjoyable pursuit for all bike enthusiasts everywhere.

Conclusion

The experience taught me a valuable lesson: the road is inherently dangerous, and we must be prepared to proactively ensure our safety. It's a reminder that while the thrill of biking is undeniable, it's crucial to prioritize our health and well-being above all else.