Stilcrazee

The nice weather seems to be here. For us Corvette guys it usually means fun time cruising. It also means that we will be sharing the roads with a lot more motorcycles. Please remember to watch out for them no matter how you feel about them. They often feel the same way about their bikes as we do our Vettes.

But, You Didn't See Me

I saw you,
hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.

But, you didn't see me,
put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you,
pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.

But, you didn't see me,
playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you,
change your mind about going into the restaurant.

But, you didn't see me,
attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you,
roll up your window and shake your head when I drove by.

But, you didn't see me,
driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you,
frown at me when I smiled at your children.

But, you didn't see me,
when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you,
stare at my long hair.

But, you didn't see me,
and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you,
roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves.

But, you didn't see me,
and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you,
look in fright at my tattoos.

But, you didn't see me,
cry as my children where born and have their name written over and in my heart.

I saw you,
change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.

But, you didn't see me,
going home to be with my family.

I saw you,
complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.

But, you didn't see me,
when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you,
yelling at your kids in the car.

But, you didn't see me,
pat my child's hands, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you,
reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.

But, you didn't see me,
squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you,
race down the road in the rain.

But, you didn't see me,
get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you,
run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.

But, you didn't see me,
trying to turn right.

I saw you,
cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.

But, you didn't see me,
leave the road.

I saw you,
waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.

But, you didn't see me.
I wasn't there.

I saw you,
go home to your family.

But, you didn't see me.
Because, I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker,.....

A person with friends and a family.

BUT, YOU DIDN'T SEE ME

(author unknown)

VetteTech81

True...

jmrl98

A former co-worker with my wife just had her dad pass away from a motorcycle accident, while going ot a charity event - I will definitely pay attention much more closely.

DPG

a couple of my friends are bikers and im always scared to death when we go out for cruises because driving behind them and seeing how no body sees them. I think its a good thing that most of the guys have loud exhausts. I think of it as a friendly reminder that they are near. Be careful out there and the only thing i can think of to remind others other than tell them to beware of other driver and riders, is to do it by example, dont cut others off even if you jsut did miss that exist or turn. Be safe out there and treat others with the same respect that you would want. That phrase goes the same on the road.

slolane

Thank you for posting, my wife and I both ride. I always watch for bikes

Monster231

Thank you for posting this.... Makes my life alot easier when people remember to look.

Wow!

TOBASCO

Good post, Jim!

Stilcrazee

Good clip. One of the MSF instructors that I had less than 2 years ago was T boned and killed by a 19 year old who blew a stop sign this last winter. Riding a cycle should be something everyone has to do, it would probably help cut down on accidents.

VetteTech81

One of the reasons I sold my bike... people don't care or pay attention..
-=Rick

Mopar Jimmy

JIM,

GOOD post BROTHER and if you drive a motorcycle (had my HONDA 650 dual sport bike out today running a few errands and beating the gas crunch) you have to act like your the invisible man as people just don't seem to see you (as they are in another world)!!

This post hits home as a friend of mine and a very good friend of my Brother, Bobby C. (Johnnyvettes and a few others here know him) lost one of his best friends last night who was killed when a drunk young woman rear ended him while he was on his HARLEY!!

EVIL ZO6

I hadnt seen that before Jim. Good post.

Would you or any other riders in the GL area be interested in joining me in July for the Ride For Kids charity ride??

Stilcrazee

I'm thinking about it, is that the one that ends up in Northbrook? Or was it the one that has in the past started at Wild Fire? (I thought I read that they moved it out Crystal Lake area?)

Monster231

Jim was he on North Ave!!! Its all over the bike forums

Monster231

I would be interested, I could get several others as well

CAP94

That was a great post. I just sold my bike a few weeks ago because I got hit by a kid on his cell phone.

NoOne

Here is a bit from the other side.

I am very respectful of Bike riders and go out of my way to be courteous, especially in heavy traffic on the freeway.

However....some cruisers EXPECT to be the rule of the road, including riding 15-20mph below the speed limit.

This is more for the area where I live, out in Livingston county where the summer is filled with bike riders out here. Its not unusual to see over 100 bikes parked in the summer nights downtown.

If your going to ride 10-20mph below the limit, don't get pissed when someone tries to pass you.

I've had some respectful riders where if they are in a small group they will go down to single file and wave you past, others spread out to make it impossible, which with a bike, means dangerous to pass so you putz along behind them.

Just because your on a bike doesn't mean your allowed to hold up traffic for miles. Out on these country roads its not unusual to see that happen.

So looking goes both ways, if your going that slow is it that hard to slide over and let a car pass?

Mopar Jimmy

Not sure about North Ave but most likely was him as my BROTHER was telling me that this happened in the St. Charles area!!

Stilcrazee

I heard that the GE Road and 64 fatality was a T bone, not rear end.

Stilcrazee

I agree with you about some riders riding too slow or hogging lanes. The fact is motorcycle riders are always watching out and most always see the car that doesn't see them for the above reasons. Courtesy and paying attention to your surroundings (bike vs. car) are 2 different things.

96KICKS

I print for two local HOG groups. These chapters contribute a great deal to charities and 'good' stuff. At one time I was a member. I get razzed now and then and "all in good fun", that vettes and bikes are rivals, again . . . all in good fun! We both have the common interest and that's 'passion' for our choice of rides.

Your post reminds us to be careful on the rode, be aware, and don't be quick to judge others, enjoy our passion, and to remember no one is guaranteed tomorrow.