For all you Harley riders . . .

[CycleRob]

From my friend Jim:

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 country 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 valley 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...

[danstl]

My wife....and ex-harley rider who switched to BMW's and Kawasaki's several years ago, but who is also a bicyclist will love this. She's out right now on a lengthy ride in the mountains in this SC heat on her Trek.

Tks.

[boxermania]

Robby

I thought that you had put that kind of antics in the back burner, after your retirement that is. On the other hand what on earth was this guy riding? a Renegade bike with one of their 150hp motors?

I know you would be fighting torque down low, but certainly you can outbrake and outcorner the "HOG".

Something similar happened to me errr...a couple of years back between my friend on an RT and me on the Bandit. Mind you that I had him outpowered, with the chassis antics about the same, but I just couldn't get enough steam going to get past him. So on a curve I stayed just to the left of him and dropped to second gear as we entered, the moment I had jst cleared the appex I gunned it, using all the road and got ahaed of him.....tached it, shifted into third gear and I was gone........

Yes, buddy.....expect the un-expected...... thanks for the experience, makes my skin crawl.......

[OU812]

Love your race story Rob!

[iowabeakster]

Good one, had me going goood.

"Cyclerob's gone and lost his mind", "Geez! come on Rob, Pass this sucker already!"
Just a couple thoughts that I had reading this.

I must have missed the From Jim at the top.

[VintageDirt]

That was awesome! You had me all the way to the end.

[dwayne]

Rob, I was just about to get into one of my 'safety talks' but when I read that last paragraph