My Motorcycle Made Me Do It...

Have you ever noticed how your motor sounds kind of annoying at 8,000 RPM when you're just maintaining a certain speed, but it sounds awfully good when you're passing 8,000 RPM on the way 13,000 RPM?

...Yeah. This morning was kind of a fast morning, if you get my drift. Actually, it was so easy to ride fast today that I decided it might be best if I just stayed behind the Buick travelling at a totally sane and reasonable 75 MPH.

So, cruising along at a prudent and safe 75 MPH keeping a reasonable distance between me and the Buick, I was a little surprised when the Buick's pilot suddenly darted into the next lane to the right for no apparent reason. There was nothing on the road. I hadn't been tailgating. And they weren't moving to exit. Odd.

Then I saw the bright, flashy, red and blue lights of a police patrol vehicle approaching rapidly in my rear view mirrors. The adrenaline rush made my lips and nose tingle in an unpleasant way. I moved to the right, and expected the officer to follow me - in which case I would have moved left again to the nearest breakdown lane.

Instead, unbelievably, he sped by on my left. The Buick darted right back into the HOV lane, and I resumed following the great grey whale, with a close eye on my mirrors for more officers.

I felt pretty lucky, and I did my best to ride a little more conservatively. I really did.

It didn't work. I arrived at the office shortly after unintentionally racing another guy on a CBR between stoplights. I was just trying to stay out of his way. I really was. Maybe he just really wanted to check out my bike. It happens...

I'll tell you what, the Speed Four gets me into all kinds of trouble.