Describe a risk you took that you do not regret. – The daily writing prompt wants to get into the risk/reward area of life.

I rode a motorcycle for a number of years in my life. It was a great time, and I had a ton of fun on the bikes. Taking pleasure rides often and commuting to work on a nice day. I’d still be riding today but it’s just too dangerous on the overcrowded highways in this area now.

First the risk seems minimal. But that quickly changed with the close calls that checkered rides. I never went down on the bike but that doesn’t mean many didn’t try to put me on the ground.

Size matters on the highway, size is everything. I’ve learned that from driving motorcycles and a small convertible. People will tailgate you, run you off the road, cut you off and pretend not to see you.

I always wore a helmet, even when there wasn’t a helmet law in our state. But those things don’t help much. People either don’t see you or don’t care. I’ve had people look right at me and then merge on top of me. Lots of people don’t think you deserve an entire lane.

I once stopped at a light for a right turn. Oncoming traffic prevented me from turning when I noticed a car coming way too fast from the back. As soon as I heard his tires start to skid trying to stop I knew he wasn’t going to be able to. I quickly turned onto the small shoulder because cars were still coming. He slid right through the spot I was in and into oncoming traffic barely avoiding hitting someone else.

Just one of many incidents I’ve had out on a bike. I stopped riding years ago. I thought about another bike about a decade ago, but I also knew my reactions weren’t as good as when I was younger. Plus seeing the number of people killed on bikes was starting to register with me.

I’m a firm believer that LOUD pipes save lives. They might not see you, but they sure can hear you. Those were stock pipes and they were loud enough. Plus, I liked the look of one on each side from the V-Twin.

Jeez, just writing about it has me thinking about throwing my leg over the saddle again. Point it east, till I hit the ocean. My right wrist still has a nasty twitch in it.