I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of canyon road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".
I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.
I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.
Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.
My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.
But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.
Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horspower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the canyon and I had preserved the proud tradition of another of America's best bikes.
I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Trek as well. They really make a great bicycle...
funny enough... back when I was into road riding, I could actually pass cars and motorcycles on downhill twisties.... now I don't think the motorcylces were trying, but I know the cars were.
Quote from: speedyts49 on April 16, 2006, 03:04:17 PM
I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting sections of canyon road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the curves have warning signs that say "15 MPH".
I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower alone.
I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering. three corners later, I was on his fender. Catching him was one thing; passing him would prove to be another.
Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down the mountain. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.
My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him. Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road straightens out and he would pass me for good.
But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.
Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horspower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the canyon and I had preserved the proud tradition of another of America's best bikes.
I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Trek as well. They really make a great bicycle...
Great story, this thing is a an eye caughter. I forgot what site i seen this on. I really thought somebody was really racing on there Bike. I was rooting for them then they said it was bicycle. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
I've seen that story somewhere on another site. It's really not too far fetched. There's a mountainous road not far from my house where I can hit 45mph on my Trek and maintain it through the corners. On my GS I always slow down through that section.
Just bumping a great post lol ... I copied this in an email to my Harley riding brother :flipoff:
Yea.. Pandy posted this on here about 2 weeks ago :icon_mrgreen:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=34493.0
Damn....he beat me by a year! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Ya know , i wanted to see it again , so I just searched for "passed harley canyon" and this one came up ... if you'rs was a couple weeks ago , yours is the one I was trying to find Pandy (if that helps at all lol)
:kiss3: genEricStL!
made me sweat !
just thinking of all those times _I_ passed harleys on MY TREK.
YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ITS ALOT OF WORK, BUT WORTH IT!
i was laughing loud enough to wake my son, you owe me 22 minutes of quiet tomorrow night, about beer-thirty. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Quote from: pandy on April 22, 2007, 02:57:48 PM
Damn....he beat me by a year! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
:laugh: :cheers:
This is being passed around motorcycle forums like it does every year like the metaphorical town bike... no offense intended to moderators of ours who REALLY like it :laugh:
None taken.... I'm easily amused! :P :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: