I have ridden for 20-some-odd years, from coast to coast and well into Canada. Hazards ranged from traffic congestion in big cities to moose up north. I have worn a helmet everywhere, regardless of state law. Defensive m/c riding involves a wide range of skill and knowledge, but I do not consider myself an expert. I was very fortunate to learn from the experience of a couple of motorcycle cops with whom I rode for several years in Michigan. One of those fine men was killed a few years ago--run over from behind by a lady on a cell phone while he was stopped at a red light. Ironic, and tragic, that in the end, his experience could not help him.
I have seen two m/c wrecks directly in front of me, but have not YET laid it down myself. One wreck I witnessed was because the rider was on an unfamiliar bike (Ultra) that was heavier with a different balance due to hard bags. He also had his wife on board, whose weight probably compounded the balance issue. His wife was in halo traction for a few months, but survived. Her helmet was split open on impact, but saved her noggin. The lesson I took from that was to know my equipment. (Sound like farm work?)
It seemed like the further east I rode, the worse the drivers. In hindsight, I think it was just more congestion. Washington DC was the worst, though. Every driver in that city was from somewhere else, and unfamiliar with our roads and laws. Several close calls.
There are advantages to riding: better gas mileage, easier to repair, and I think it makes me a better driver. The disadvantages are many, and the results are all around us in the friends that have been hurt or killed. However, many work/leisure activities carry hazards that must be mediated by training, safety measures, and an ongoing assessment of our skills and surroundings. M/C riding, farming, law enforcement, construction, truck driving, etc. We all have to decide our individual limits, for the good of ourselves, our families, and everyone around us. No easy answer to your question.
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Today's Featured Article - A Belt Pulley? Really Doing Something? - by Chris Pratt. Belt Pulleys! Most of us conjure up a picture of a massive thresher with a wide belt lazily arching to a tractor 35 feet away throwing a cloud of dust, straw and grain, and while nostalgic, not too practical a method of using our tractors. While this may have been the bread and butter of the belt work in the past (since this is what made the money on many farms), the smaller tasks may have been and still can be its real claim to fame. The thresher would bring in the harvest (and income) once a y
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