Very Close Call With 18 Wheeler

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I went for my usual afternoon ride today. I sometimes take a back way that takes me from Boaz, AL to Guntersville, AL. It is pretty much traffic free. Usually a very safe ride. The road I was was riding has the right of way at an intersection. The road that crosses has stop signs. I saw a truck coming from my right. I thought surely he will stop. Boy was I wrong. He didn't. I slid through the intersection and he never got stopped but got slowed enough to allow me to slide through just in front of him. He only missed me by an inch or so. I could have reached out and touched the front of his big blue truck. That is how close he was as I passed or slid through just ahead of him. You just never know. The only thing that could have saved me is Jesus. I kept waiting for the crash and me going over on my left side. Then I realized I had made it safely through.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I will try and ride back tomorrow and get pictures of my skid marks. The Nomad slid about two feet to the left and had that not have happened he would probably have hit me.

[unwind2]

Glad you're okay.

[cantridenuf]

Very glad you're ok......close one for sure.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Someone was sure looking out for me. Guess I will stick with the dangerous crowded four lane in the future. Thanks for your comments. I do appreciate it.

[dougster]

Glad you are o.k.

But don't stick to the crowded four lane; stay on your two lane, but just apply the lesson you learned: Don't assume people will stop, and be ready to stop yourself. And like you said: Only Jesus saved you.

[ringadingh]

One thing Ive learned on the bike is don't assume anything, especially if its bigger than you. I ride as if every car is out to get me. And I still have close calls once in a while, thats part of riding a bike I guess. Glad to hear you made it through unscathed.

[pirate]

Wow, that is way too close for comfort! Glad to hear you're ok. Often times the quieter roads can be dangerous with the unexpected happening when you're not looking for it.

[Yellow Jacket]

Gino, I sure am glad you made it past that truck! Like a couple of the others have said, you can't assume anything when you're riding. Sometimes it's hard to constantly be on guard but we have to try. Praise Jesus you're ok.

[Cajunrider]

Happy to hear you got through the situation unscathed. I always assume that others will do what I don't want them to and it has helped me not to have close calls as often. I've had a few though.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Thanks guys for your concern, I really do appreciate it.

[bobhamlin]

Someone put it into words (I think on this site)

There's an assassin out there. S/he is riding in a motorized vehicle and wants to knock you off your bike. Unfortunately, we don't know which vehicle s/he's driving.

Be alert.

[cheriann]

YIKES!
I am SO glad that you are okay and survived that close call!!
I am going to take your experience and apply it to my own riding....I will never assume someone is going to obey the laws of the road!!!

[macmac]

I'kd go back there and look at the place from a Drivers' point of view... maybe the stop sign is hidden by a branch or is placed in some way no one can see it.

Back in 1979 I was hit and hard by a drunk, but the stop sign was illegally placed.

The stop sign was on the wrong side of the road number 1, then it was hidden by a tree branch as well, and if that wasn't enough the pole was bent away from the road, making it even harder to see.

This was right smack in a school zone of the day... Not what quite we have now, but just the same someone in DOT got it all wrong.

[ridemslow]

Well, I too am thankful that you made it thru that incident ok. More importantly tho, from MY point of view, I am equally relieved you did not place all the blame on the trucker as many would have done. Untill you've been in his seat, and see what he sees, don't crucify him, like many tend to do. Thank you for being observant and again, I am thankful you are ok. :)