TheBanyanTree: An "Interesting" ride home

[Russ Doden]

Today I had gone down to the shop where I work in various capacities.
Today was the day I wanted to do herb inventory so I could start putting
together another order.  The forecast had said rain was "possible" but it
didn't look like it would do much.  I was pretty focused on getting that
order put together.  After a while I realized it was getting pretty dark
outside so finally checked the radar with my cell phone.  Holy Sh#t.  A big
cell was developing almost on top of where I was!  This would be no big
deal if I was on 4 wheels, but I was on 3!  It had been such a nice day I
thought I would just ride the trike - as I much prefer it to being in a
"cage".

I grabbed my stuff, tossed it in the briefcase, grabbed my helmet and coat
and headed for the door.  It was just starting to sprinkle, but the sky to
the east was still reasonably clear.  I headed home just as it started to
rain a bit more.  About 5 minutes later it was no longer clear to the
east.  The clouds unzipped!  Well, I had been needing some practice riding
in a cloudburst, but holy moley, this was beyond the pale.

Even the cars were slowing down to 40ish on a highway that usually they
ignore the 60 mph speed limit!  I had a "feeling" that I needed to get over
to the inside lane (this is a 3 lane each way highway) so I started working
my way over from the center lane.  Not 2 minutes after I made that move, a
car shot by on my right, and the next thing I knew it had lost traction and
was doing 45 degree swaps.  Not just fishtails, but severe skidding with
the brakes locked up (the worst thing you can do).

EVERYONE was hitting the brakes to give that car all three lanes - and it
was using them.  You didn't dare lock the brakes up though because the road
was wet - and that adds to the hydroplane potential.  Apparently that car
had hydroplaned big time.  At one point they were going down the road
sideways drivers side leading then driver side following.  They finally got
it under control.   They quickly headed to the nearest exit ramp.  I'm
assuming they had to find a place to pull themselves together, say a little
prayer that everyone avoided them, and maybe change their pampers.

I was glad I was toward the front of that mess.  I didn't look behind me,
but I would imagine that traffic got bolixed up pretty good while we all
slowed down to a crawl to give that car all the room it needed.  The closer
to home I got, the farther I was from the cloudburst.  The streets were dry
when I got home but it was quite the ride home!

That was more practice than I wanted, but I did well!  No skids, no panic,
no problems!

Color me grateful for training for just such things!

Russ
-- 
Enjoy Life By Living In Joy

Well Being Consultant
www.rldwbc.com