I raced a Harley today...

478cc · Post by **478cc** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:45 pm

Saw this on another list today.

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 canyon 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 outbreak 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 horsepower and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won the race to the bottom of the canyon 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 Schwinn, as well.
They really make a great bicycle...
--

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 5:38 pm

Too funny...

...if you had been on an RR it would be just too easy.

DJ

Post by **wncbmw** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:54 pm

That was great! Way to sucker me in!

Post by **kbc68** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:56 am

Just one of the pure pleasures of riding .
In your case skill ,patience and confindence was on your side.

...if you had been on an RR it would be just too easy.

[img]
Hands and effortless!!!!!! [/img]

Post by **machew01** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:18 am

Once while descending a mountain on a very twisty road, I was caught by two bicyclists. I was embarrassed, but I wish I could have watched them ride.

mac

Post by **Boxer** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:28 am

I kept watching for the punch line. I seriously thought it would be a tricycle with a kid riding.

When I was riding out west 2 summers ago. I came across more a few bicyclers riding the same Rockie mountains I was on...And some of them had trailers! It made me tired just seeing them.

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 8:16 am

Seriously, years ago a bicycle event called the Tour Dupont held a couple of stages in the mountains here and I was asked, along with some other riders, to provide motorcycle escorts and lead the bikes through the race. I could not do it because of other obligations, but one of my friends did and said they had to get rid of one of the other bike escorts because the racers were faster than he was in the twisties!

Guess what he was riding!

collyers · Post by **collyers** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 9:56 am

Since current racing bicycles weigh around 16lbs, cornering speeds are phenomenal, and many times on mountain descents, I pass motorcycles & cars once, and do not see them again until the bottom. Of course, some HD riders take offence to this, so I wind passing them MANY times. On the RR or Duke II? Fuggedaboudit!

478cc · Post by **478cc** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:36 pm

Reminded me of a holiday in Northern Italy a few years ago.

We were driving a Fiat hire car around the Dolomites, and coming down from the Passa Pordoi. I was not in a hurry and driving fairly slowly to take in the views. I spotted a cyclist in the distance in the rear view mirror and within 3-4 corners he was right behind us.
He overtook up the inside on one very tight hairpin, put his head down and pedalled like crazy.
He was gone from sight within 2 more corners, never saw him again.

You know your in trouble when they overtake you going uphill

As we descended I started to drive the car more like Fiats were designed to be driven

We stopped at traffic lights in the first village at the bottom and the car filled with the unmistakable smell of boiling brake fluid. I got out to have a look and the brake discs were glowing a dull red.

The plastic wheel trims also looked slightly buckled

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:27 pm

I have to say, some of those pedel powered crazies go faster down the hills than I want to go on those skinny tires!

They use Avons or Metzlers?