I'm a lucky person.

[vtlion]

I have a story to tell.  Always wear your gear.  You never know when its coming.

I rode from Alexandria, VA up to Baltimore, MD yesterday for a friend's birthday.  It was a beautiful day to be on the SV, even if there was a little more traffic on the beltway than I would like.  I thought to myself that I should put my camera on the bike just to see what sort of automotive stupidity I might catch as I rode around the beltway, but decided not to bother.  It was just a scoot around the beltway and up 95, what could possibly happen?  As usual, I was looking for gaps in traffic to occupy, and doing m y best to stay visible, frequently checking my mirrors, all while marveling at the stupid things some of the DC area drivers were doing as they blew by me while I was running 80 mph.

A young girl blabbing on a cell phone in a red mustang flew by me on the left, then suddenly cut right across two lanes of traffic, nearly hitting another motorist.  I thought to myself, "i need to keep an eye on this one".  Thankfully, I did.  As she pulled away from me, I saw something pop up into the air behind her, tumbling as it gained altitude.  It was white and flat and about 2 feet on each side.  First, the object started to fly away to the right, but then it hit the side of a box truck and started straight for ME 

80 mph, boxed in, nowhere to go, facing an airborn board coming straight at me.  All I could do was steady my throttle hand and point my head down so that the impact would happen on the top of my helmet instead of my visor.  As I was looking down at my guage cluster, I saw the board come in.  Thankfully, it came in flat (not edge-wise), struck the beak of my fairing and exploded into hundreds of tiny pieces!!!  Because I didn't panic I was able to ride right through it.  After realizing that I wasn't going down, I pulled off to the shoulder and inspected the bike.  Brake lines, ok; fender, tire and wheel, ok; headlights, ok; clutch and brake cable sheaths, ok.  It was amazing.  There was ZERO damage. 

My best guess is that it was a piece of gypsum board or drywall.  Whatever it was, riding through it was a real John Woo moment for me.  I'm not pleased that it happened, but I am disappointed that I didn't catch it on tape.  It must have looked spectacular from behind or across the road.  I was wearing a Shoei RF900 helmet, JR Blaster jacket and Ballistic pants, Teknic violator gloves, and good sturdy over the ankle boots.  I think being properly clad helped me to stay calm and avoid having an off.

Keep your eyes peeled out there, kids.  Ride safe.

[PuddleJumper]

Wow!

Glad you are OK. That could have been much worse.

BeSafe.

[galahs]

Wowzers! 

[Jared]

495 Beltway.... You Qualify for Combat Pay running on 495... been there done that...In no hurry to do it again anytime soon.

Yes very good you had gear on and did not panic- lucky on no damage to you and the bike.  Neck hurting today?

I was  in my truck yesterday  less than a few miles for home and witnessed 3 acts of near criminal stupidity yesterday. A dumbass in a Big diesel pickup running the center turn lane to pass 10 cars ( who were actually going more than the speed limit- this one the busiest dead end street in the USA.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Route_177 )... ducks back in line 2 cars up from me- at 45-50 mph it was no short trip in the turn lane with lots of curves in the road...then when he goes to get on Route 100 ( Flashing red light-Stop sign) completely blows through it. That person(s) he kills may be someone I know and Love...

Never a cop around when you need one.

The other inicidents were of similar lunacy...can't slow down and just wait your turn...better to risk a few lives for that 1.7 seconds you save in your day.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I feel your pain. Glad you're alright. I had a guy cut me off on 75, going about 65mph, because I left 2 car lengths in front of me, so he thought he'd occupy one and a half of them. I started to slow down, to give myself more distance, and the mf-er runs over a sheet of plywood on the road! Thankfully, it had rained all morning, so the plywood broke up until little-ish chunks, and I took a piece about a foot square in the headlights (brand new custom duals, shattered), and then to my chest. Just like you, because I didn't panic, and I braced myself, I rode away.. albeit with a newly stained pair of underwear..

stay safe people!

[Kasumi]

I think the scariest near falling off moment ive had was more due to aerial rather than motor vehicle traffic. I was on my way to school riding through a tiny almost single track road in the countryside - twice height hedges on either side so its like riding through a green tunnel basically, came round to a blind left then right S. Slowed down and kept tight because the road is only just wide enough for two cars and i didnt want to meet one cutting the corner. Went through the left, right between that and the next corner was a huge collection of pheasants, way too late to brake or anything - they flew up all over feathers i cudnt see shaZam! so braced myself and turned for the next corner to save going into the hedge and then wham hit in shoulder/head by one bird flying in one direction then another one i think flew into the back of my bike. All unsteadied me and i got a huge motoGP 'esque style rear slide round the right hander. Got to the end of the road by the junction, pulled over and recovered, definatly a new pair of underware moment.

[LPC2104]

Glad it wasn't something harder, Dr.

[ohgood]

You mean you RIDE in DC traffic ? Man, that's crazy. Isn't there are rule for NY/NYC drivers to lay on the horn BEFORE even starting the car or something ?

I know they can drive without the horn blaring because I've seen a fella do it. Not for long, but he did just the same.


All kidding aside, good thinking man, and good to hear you made it unscathed.

[reminor]

.....A dumbass in a Big diesel pickup running the center turn lane to pass 10 cars ( who were actually going more than the speed limit- this one the busiest dead end street in the USA.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryland_Route_177 )... ducks back in line 2 cars up from me- at 45-50 mph it was no short trip in the turn lane with lots of curves in the road...then when he goes to get on Route 100 ( Flashing red light-Stop sign) completely blows through it. That person(s) he kills may be someone I know and Love...

I wonder if you happen to film such behavior (with his license plate ans so on). It is clearly reckless driving, punishable here by suspending from driving. Can you show it to cops or bring that mofo to Court so they can at least fine him (or better suspend his license)?

[vtlion]

You mean you RIDE in DC traffic ? Man, that's crazy.

yeah, it is.  I seldom ride on the beltway though.  This was a weekend trip up to B'more to visit a friend.  My daily commute is the GW parkway, memorial bridge, whitehurst and canal rd.  It is actually a nice ride at 7am (before it clogs up).  I've been recording my rides hoping to get a nice sequence that I can post online sometime.