The most precious commodity of all--patience

[Wheelin]

I didn't get into motorcycling until my early 40s. While it's posed a lot of disadvantages in terms of riding skills, waiting so long--at least for me--was the right decision. I was far too emotionally immature in my 30s to have so much power in my hands and am pretty sure that I wouldn't be alive to type about this now if I didn't wait.

Now in my 50s and having to split lanes in LA traffic in order to make my work commute and life balance palatable, I still have to tell myself (literally out loud while riding the bike) "Be PATIENT." It takes patience not to want to glare at a motorist who cuts you off. It takes patience not to scream at motorists who deliberately block the lane during a traffic jam so that you can't split lanes. It takes patience not to try to split lanes between 2 semi trucks only 2 feet apart. It takes patience to ride past motorists who are texting, putting on makeup, shaving, and smoking pot. Most of all, it takes patience to ride within one's limits--and given how late I started riding, being patient with myself is the greatest challenge that I face every day. Because if I'm not patient in LA traffic, I will not make it in the long term. Not being dramatic. It's just a fact.

I only wax poetic about this because I feel it's the only obvious advice that I can impart to other riders, no matter how high level their skills, because sometimes the obvious is hiding in plain sight. That, and I did a damn fool maneuver today because I wasn't patient enough....

 

[Kyle_E]

My go to saying is don't drive angry. Forget about that guy texting and cut you off, focus on the guy 2 seconds ahead about to do the same damn thing. You can't live in the past and get angry flipping them off MFering them etc. Just let it go and keep the head on a swivel!

Also watch out for construction and landscaping trucks and trailers too.
Ive been splitting a landscaping trailer and have seen a bent wire sticking out so far I would have lost an eye.

 

[Wheelin]

My go to saying is don't drive angry. Forget about that guy texting and cut you off, focus on the guy 2 seconds ahead about to do the same damn thing. You can't live in the past and get angry flipping them off MFering them etc. Just let it go and keep the head on a swivel!

Also watch out for construction and landscaping trucks and trailers too.
Ive been splitting a landscaping trailer and have seen a bent wire sticking out so far I would have lost an eye.

That's also a good saying to keep in mind. And as far as forgetting about the idiots on the road, I try to follow my father's advice, which is "you need to ride for everyone else on the road" and "Look 20 cars ahead of you". It's kept me alive so far.....

What I feel really gives us motorcyclists a black eye in the public relations department is seeing riders hammer fist driver's side mirrors because they didn't move over in time to let the motorcyclist pass. I almost want to catch up to them and say "c'mon, man....you're making the rest of us look like a-holes. Be the bigger man."

 

[AVGeek]

LA traffic is why I have my motorcycle endorsement...for me the commute by bike was always more relaxing than by car. Yes, I had to deal with the idiots who have no business driving, but with time, it became second nature to anticipate what was going to happen ahead, and adjust accordingly.

 

[EricV]

Patience is good, but just stop caring. They mostly don't do it on purpose, or even with any thought. Even when they do actually fire a brain cell or two and deliberately do something negative towards you, stop caring. They don't know you. They are just being jerks. They are just obstacles to your path. As with any ride, or path in life, avoiding the obstacles and finding/making a path around and thru them is an on-going challenge. You simply don't have the energy to get worked up about every idiot on the road, there are too many of them.

I've lane split in CA for a few years and do so every time I go back. I always have to make a mental adjustment when entering CA to get back into the lane splitting mode. Not to lane split per se, but the extra aggressive mode required to push my awareness out another layer. And yes, I've had all those things happen to me too. Sometimes you get a chance to explain to the other vehicle that hey, it's actually legal what I'm doing, so opening your door just because you're stopped in traffic doesn't fly. The rest of the time you just observe and avoid and continue on.

You can usually spot the worst of them before you get there and time your movement or adjust your path to avoid them. I've dropped into regular lanes just to get past some really dumb driver or blocking vehicle. I regularly drop back into a lane to allow faster bikes to go by me that are lane splitting. Sometimes I'll drop back in and follow the better rider that's more comfortable lane splitting. Sometimes I do that, then back off after seeing their poor behavior too. Not wanting to catch a driver's angst after he's pounding on their roof or hitting the horn/brapping the pipes all the time.

 

[Sierra1]

Y'all are FAR better people than I. I don't have much, if any, patience for stupidity. But, I do anticipate others actions, to keep from being road pizza.

 

[ballisticexchris]

Y'all are FAR better people than I. I don't have much, if any, patience for stupidity. But, I do anticipate others actions, to keep from being road pizza.

Yep, thats about all we can do. I ride like everyone is trying to kill me.

 

[EricV]

Y'all are FAR better people than I. I don't have much, if any, patience for stupidity. But, I do anticipate others actions, to keep from being road pizza.

It's funny, on the road, stupid seldom bothers me, it's just part of life and I'm too busy staying alive to use the horn or get worked up about it when on the bike. However, I stumble upon some poorly written code or latest software upgrade and I can go on a pretty good rant.

 

[Sierra1]

That's because we all have certain peeves that set us off. And, we all have that certain level of those peeves, that once reached, sets us off. Where I do most of my driving, stupidity has reached saturation levels. No escape. (and yes, I get just as mad at myself when I do something stupid) But, all of that stupidity is one of the top reasons I love the Tenere. Quick, nimble, and I don't have to worry about damaging her if I have to hop a curb, or two, to avoid disaster

 

[Longdog Cymru]

I didn't get into motorcycling until my early 40s. While it's posed a lot of disadvantages in terms of riding skills, waiting so long--at least for me--was the right decision. I was far too emotionally immature in my 30s to have so much power in my hands and am pretty sure that I wouldn't be alive to type about this now if I didn't wait.

Now in my 50s and having to split lanes in LA traffic in order to make my work commute and life balance palatable, I still have to tell myself (literally out loud while riding the bike) "Be PATIENT." It takes patience not to want to glare at a motorist who cuts you off. It takes patience not to scream at motorists who deliberately block the lane during a traffic jam so that you can't split lanes. It takes patience not to try to split lanes between 2 semi trucks only 2 feet apart. It takes patience to ride past motorists who are texting, putting on makeup, shaving, and smoking pot. Most of all, it takes patience to ride within one's limits--and given how late I started riding, being patient with myself is the greatest challenge that I face every day. Because if I'm not patient in LA traffic, I will not make it in the long term. Not being dramatic. It's just a fact.

I only wax poetic about this because I feel it's the only obvious advice that I can impart to other riders, no matter how high level their skills, because sometimes the obvious is hiding in plain sight. That, and I did a damn fool maneuver today because I wasn't patient enough....

You are absolutely, totally correct Sir! I rode my first motorcycle when I was 12 years of age, ( it was a 125cc BSA Bantam as you are asking ), and I am 65 years of age now and never was patience a more valuable commodity than it is with today’s drivers and riders.

 

[Wheelin]

Y'all are FAR better people than I. I don't have much, if any, patience for stupidity. But, I do anticipate others actions, to keep from being road pizza.

I don't know that anyone is "better" than you. We're all trying to survive and hopefully have a little fun along the way!

 

[Wheelin]

You are absolutely, totally correct Sir! I rode my first motorcycle when I was 12 years of age, ( it was a 125cc BSA Bantam as you are asking ), and I am 65 years of age now and never was patience a more valuable commodity than it is with today’s drivers and riders.

Thank you! May I print out your quote about being correct and show it to my wife!!??

 

[Wheelin]

I don't have to worry about damaging her if I have to hop a curb, or two, to avoid disaster

She IS stout, isn't she? I tipped over my bike twice due to dumb mistakes. I inspected her afterwards, along with a pro mechanic. Not so much as a scratch!

 

[Wheelin]

It's funny, on the road, stupid seldom bothers me, it's just part of life and I'm too busy staying alive to use the horn or get worked up about it when on the bike. However, I stumble upon some poorly written code or latest software upgrade and I can go on a pretty good rant.

You're right. There's really no time to worked up because we've got to focus our attention on what's in front of us next!

 

[Wheelin]

Patience is good, but just stop caring. They mostly don't do it on purpose, or even with any thought. Even when they do actually fire a brain cell or two and deliberately do something negative towards you, stop caring. They don't know you. They are just being jerks. They are just obstacles to your path. As with any ride, or path in life, avoiding the obstacles and finding/making a path around and thru them is an on-going challenge. You simply don't have the energy to get worked up about every idiot on the road, there are too many of them.

I've lane split in CA for a few years and do so every time I go back. I always have to make a mental adjustment when entering CA to get back into the lane splitting mode. Not to lane split per se, but the extra aggressive mode required to push my awareness out another layer. And yes, I've had all those things happen to me too. Sometimes you get a chance to explain to the other vehicle that hey, it's actually legal what I'm doing, so opening your door just because you're stopped in traffic doesn't fly. The rest of the time you just observe and avoid and continue on.

You can usually spot the worst of them before you get there and time your movement or adjust your path to avoid them. I've dropped into regular lanes just to get past some really dumb driver or blocking vehicle. I regularly drop back into a lane to allow faster bikes to go by me that are lane splitting. Sometimes I'll drop back in and follow the better rider that's more comfortable lane splitting. Sometimes I do that, then back off after seeing their poor behavior too. Not wanting to catch a driver's angst after he's pounding on their roof or hitting the horn/brapping the pipes all the time.

All good advice. Sure, my reflexes have gotten better out of necessity, but even more important is the ability to anticipate far in advance...and not care about all the other stuff. Having stated that, it will be a while before I reach that level of stoic enlightenment of “not caring“.

 

[ballisticexchris]

That's because we all have certain peeves that set us off. And, we all have that certain level of those peeves, that once reached, sets us off. Where I do most of my driving, stupidity has reached saturation levels. No escape. (and yes, I get just as mad at myself when I do something stupid) But, all of that stupidity is one of the top reasons I love the Tenere. Quick, nimble, and I don't have to worry about damaging her if I have to hop a curb, or two, to avoid disaster

All good advice. Sure, my reflexes have gotten better out of necessity, but even more important is the ability to anticipate far in advance...and not care about all the other stuff.

This thread you started is really good as a reminder that I'm not the only one who sees this crap!! I drive a tanker truck for a living with Mobile Eye and Drive Cam. It has made me a better driver. OTOH I still sometimes lose my composure and cant help but get upset. What Sierra said really stuck with me during my Saturday shift last night. The drunks and goofballs were out in full force and I was able to laugh it off knowing that many other guys deal with this stupid behavior from other drivers as well. Thanks guys.

 

[FlyingSkeet]

Smith system and drive cam were the best tool I ever received. The big picture and knowing that my actions would be reviewed calmed me down. I could still being aggressive but in a safer manor. If you have to use the horn you already lost the game. I do admit once in a while I still lose it. I keep in the back of my mind while splitting lanes. Be conservative you’re already saving time don’t let the people you just passed laugh at you as they pass By you waiting for an ambulance, or corner! Ride safe my friends,

 

[ballisticexchris]

Smith system and drive cam were the best tool I ever received. The big picture and knowing that my actions would be reviewed calmed me down. I could still being aggressive but in a safer manor. If you have to use the horn you already lost the game. I do admit once in a while I still lose it. I keep in the back of my mind while splitting lanes. Be conservative you’re already saving time don’t let the people you just passed laugh at you as they pass By you waiting for an ambulance, or corner! Ride safe my friends,

Yep, I use the SMITH system all the time as well. Last company I worked for gave us annual training. We rented a van and did 6 hours of driving split between the drivers. FWIW my air horn gets tucked into the hole and the only time I use it is when kids ask me to blow it.

 

[Wheelin]

This thread you started is really good as a reminder that I'm not the only one who sees this crap!!

Glad to be of service!

 

[Wheelin]

Smith system and drive cam were the best tool I ever received,

Plus, you’re educating us neophytes. I had to Google the Smith system.