Background:
I had just installed a new set of BT-012ss tires and was on my way to a track riding school about 45 minutes away. The tires had less than 30 highway miles on them.

The plan was to use the ride in as part of the tire scrub. The first few laps would then complete the process. The morning was just gorgeous. Sunny with some puff light gray clouds, not too hot yet.

What happened:
There is low traffic and I'm riding approx. 50-55mph on a two-lane highway. It's a nice and relaxing ride and I'm thinking that it's going to be a great day. About two miles from my destination, I see some curious-looking bikes coming from the opposite direction. My head turns 45 degrees to the left as I make out 4 yellow Gold Wings transformed into trikes.

The first one waves enthusiastically and I return the wave. There is moderate spacing between each bike. My left hand remains outstretched as they pass by. They are facing the sun and the bright yellow is captivating.

As I return my left hand to the handlebar and look back in front of me, I see the back of a Jetta dead stopped with its left flasher blinking maybe a couple of hundred feet in front. I have an initial nano-second of surprise/disbelief as I squeeze the front brake hard. The forks compress. I squeeze harder. The rear wheel lofts 2 maybe 4 inches. At this point, I KNOW I will impact the car. There just is not enough road between us.

And then the weirdest thing happens. It seems like everything instantly goes into slow motion. Like I enter another dimension. Really strange. I release the front brake and energetically countersteer. I swerve past the right corner of the car and onto the shoulder. I miss clipping the bumper with my left knee by a foot or so. And then, BAM, back into standard time again, as the Jetta quickly recedes in my rear-view mirror.

This was really a different sensation of time. As I released the brakes and countersteered, everything became extremely clear, focused, and detailed. I remember having the time to look at the license plate and the tail lights and thinking how clean and shiny this car was!

I'd like to say that I thought about what I was doing, but I didn't. It's like a part of my brain accessed a pre-recorded cassette with a set of instructions and executed those instructions. Didn't consult with me at all!! As soon as I knew I was going to hit, BAM, another instruction accessed and executed split-second style.

I went on and ended up having a great day. But I'll admit I was quite reflective during the first part of the morning. Certainly reminded me of the importance of "flying the plane".

PS: amazing how much stopping power a supposedly unscrubbed front tire can generate when called upon. I had never before done an emergency stoppie on the street!

Bruno
Montreal, Canada