I had mini-bikes and dirt bikes when I was a kid for many years, so, naturally when I got old enough for a drivers license, I needed a road bike too. Understand, that for many years now, I am one of those people that got tired of asking myself “Why am I still alive?” See, I lived rural most of my life, so I didn’t ride in the city a whole lot. But believe it or not, it was a bit safer back then (1970’s and 80’s). Being young, married, and 3 little ones around, I found it a bit impractical to keep a bike for several years. Then, in the early 90’s, I got a deal on another one, and remembered what I loved about them. However, I was now living in a suburb, and driving in town and heavy traffic most of the time.

It doesn’t take much. It can happen in less than half a second, and (despite what many others state here) you can have no control over it. THE unexpected HAPPENS. Accidents and near accidents happen. In the upper midwest USA, I was driving about 60mph on a narrow country road with tall corn growing all around.

That scared me so damn bad, that the next thing I knew was the driver of the truck put his hand on my shoulder asking me if I was OK. I was still standing up on the footpegs just balancing it. I was sick to my stomach.