We just returned from a 4 day trip up to the Mogollon Rim {Northeast of Payson AZ}, to beat the heat and do some fine riding. I tow my Harley Dyna Super Glide behind our 24' Class C motorhome {yes I am too old and fat to sleep in a tent on the ground and we enjoy all of the comforts found in our RV}. Here is a shot of the rig I took at the Canyon point campground:



Tuesday morning we headed east on AZ 260, 2 lane, 55 mph with frequent one mile long passing lanes bound for Heber 20 miles away to have breakfast. Didn't get far when I saw this white car come roaring up on my ***. I was doing 62 in the 55 zone. He pulls to within 3' of my rear tire and at the first opening in on coming traffic flies by me, over the solid yellow line and despite my bailing for the right hand third of the lane he missed us by about 6' as he jams back into our lane, this time over the double yellow line.

We had just passed a "Passing lane 500 feet" sign but I guess he couldn't be bothered with waiting a few seconds more. I saw him approaching and was aware he would probably pass me and do it badly but this chucklehead set new records for felony stupid. No I did not honk, no time, did not flip him off though it crossed my mind. I figured all the fingers on both hands would be put to better use controlling the bike with my bride on the back. ARRRRRG!

The fool in the white car took off and I settled back to trying to enjoy the spectacular scenery at 7,700'. I noticed a late model silver pick up tailing me at a decent following distance and for the next 15 miles he remained on my six but well back. He had several opportunities to safely pass as there a number of passing lanes, one every few miles or so but he just held his interval.

When we rolled into Heber the road expands to 4 lanes {2 each direction}, and I had lost track of the silver pick up. But as we pulled into June's Cafe looking forward to a great breakfast there was the silver pick up pulling in just ahead of us. My bride and I dropped our riding gear on the bike and headed to the front door where I came face to face with a nicely dressed businessman who had just exited the pick up.

I said: "Nice to be followed by someone who understands the concept of following distance. Thank you!" He looked a tad confused until Jeanne spoke up and said we were on the black Harley {pointing to the bike now adorned with our gear}.

The light came on and he said wow, I thought the idiot in the white car was going to kill you back there. He roared up to 3' behind me and passed within inches then I watched him do it to you.

"Doing it over the solid yellow lines didn't exactly make my day either" I responded. We chatted for a couple of minutes at the front door, wished each other well and then went in, he to the counter and Jeanne and I to nearby table where we all enjoyed wonderful breakfasts.

I went to the cashier to pay for breakfast and had just inserted my CC into the chip reader and asked the waitress to add a $3 tip to our $12 tab when I heard a voice come from behind me saying "Don't charge that card, I got this" and our new friend reached around my shoulder, handed the waitress a twenty telling her to keep the change. Not sure who had the bigger smile... she or me.

We formally introduced ourselves as we shook hands and I thanked him profusely for both his courtesy and generosity. "Just be safe out there my friend" he said, turned and was gone. Wow, talk about making your day.

As much as I am trying to forget the moron in the white car I hope to never forget my new friend from the silver pick up. Me thinks it might be pay it forward time.
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That's a nice set up you got there.

Hey that's a great story and you have the skills to write them very well, that seems to be a fading artform!

I have basically given up my motorcycling days, not sure if I'll go back to it one day. But I have over 100k miles under my butt, I absolutely know where you are coming from when I read your story. Still have three bikes that needs to be reduced to one bike but hey, I'm far too busy handloading and shooting to mess around with those things!

A few of my biker friends used to carry a handful of steel ball bearings for such occasions. Along with other deterrents.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

Glad all is well been on two wheels snice 1975.Ride Safe enjoy

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Spin The Wheel

What a great story!!

That is a great first thing to read in the morning. Thanks!

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Real men love cats!

I thought the ending would have been better if: You encountered the driver of the white car in the diner where he confronted you for driving so slowly. Upon where you drew your M10 RB snubby and put 1 round of Buffalo Bore 158g +P right 'tween his eyes. When the Deputies showed up, they let you go because you improved the species. The driver, a local, was a known troublemaker with multiple felonies whose daddy was a politician of some sort. Probly chief bottle washer & dog catcher

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I love happy endings.
ETA:
And a free breakfast.

Nice story. Goes to show that there are good people out there.

John

I've had some time to think about what probably would have happened if it had been the guy from the white car I encountered at the cafe. Given how close this moron came to killing us for no discernible reason and being cursed with a bit of a temper I would probably be reporting from the Coconino jail.

As satisfying as it would have been to get in his face and then toss him off the front porch of the cafe it would in the end have only caused me more grief. I know that now, probably would not have thought of the consequences at the time.

With a few rare exceptions when rage overtook common sense I have learned not to extend a middle finger while riding my bike {I even now mostly restrain myself while driving other vehicles as well}.

This epiphany hopefully will stay with me and keep me out of trouble somewhere down the road.... well maybe. Was glad to be able to share this story with you. As noted sometimes it is good to hear about nice things happening out there.

In just about any two vehicle crash where one vehicle is a bike and the other a cage, the bike usually loses. Then, there is the classic art of kicking a door panel in. It takes practice and good control of the bike. Sure makes soccer moms sit up and take notice....for about 10 minutes.

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