I just returned from another trip to south Texas and the hill country. All in all I racked up right at 1,000 miles of riding over the weekend. The best part of the trip was riding the "three sisters" and all the curves and canyon carving it entailed. State highway 16 was a blast as well. If you ever have the chance to hit it up, do it!

As I'm riding, I catch myself thinking about how good a story this turn would make, or how blowing by the Harley guys would get a laugh, or the amazing views I saw. About 175 miles into the 3 sisters, I came upon a really bad accident that kinda took the wind out of my sails. We notice ahead of us that about 40 bikes are stopped right before a curve and we were told of an accident. I walk up to the curve and see a truck with a motorcyclist pinned under it. On the side of the rode was an older Gold Wing completely twisted up. Obviously the rider didn't make it and the emt's were pulling out the dreaded black bag.

It kinda snapped me back to reality and made me remember what's important in life. The bikes not going anywhere but I noticed my riding was a little more conservative the remainder of the weekend. A good thing I guess.

I don't know the rider but RIP.

Ya...makes ya reflect on things...riding style,stuff like that.In a heartbeat...it can all go wrong.Glad that wasn't you.Sorry for the other there.His/her family.Real bummer.Our bikes are so smooth,and strong,they can lull you into thinkin you're invincible.Something like that anyway.They're no match for a cage.And as "in control" I "think" I am...in reality...it's ONLY two wheels...a few inch contact patch,and regardless of "having the best brakes on a bike"....she'll only do so much.I OFTEN forget that.Oncoming cages/trucks still make me react...especially when cornering.Lots of drinkers here.Good ole boys,you know.Drinkin a beer(s)after work while drivin home.Yep....it happens here with some regularity(head ons that is...crossing the center lines on curves...stuff like that).Every week there's something in the local paper about someone in a cage "going off the road and flipping".IDK HOW they do it.But it happens a lot here.

Ever since I got this bike my wife has made numerous comments about a will or life insurance but not jokingly. She is genuinely worried about what will happen to her if something should happen to me. We got our tax returns and we're gonna put them in the bank till next winter when we plan to go on vacation and she says she's worried about putting the money in my credit union because something could happen to me and her name isn't on the account. WTF? I don't know if I should be offended by this or worried!
I just figure if it's gonna happen it will. My dad died riding a motorcycle before I was a year old and 11 or 12 years ago at the same age he was I had a stunting accident where I lost half my foot suddenly. Made me think long and hard about things. In the end I decided I just needed to enjoy things while I can and to be more responsible for my actions which really is the only thing you can control in this world, not what that asshole sitting at the bar does or the grey hair driving her Cadillac when she has no right to be touching a steering wheel of a Little Rascal wheelchair, or the soccer mom who thinks it's more important to turn around and pick up that sippy cup her two year old threw on the floor while she is driving her red Dodge Caravan of death. By riding a motorcycle you are willingly accepting the fact that you can be taken out of this world in any myriad of ways everyday at any time which is the price paid for such freedom most people will never experience.

This is why all riders / passengers of heavy cruisers and touring bikes (not to mention you and me) should take the Total Control course now that MSF is presenting it.

The MC I belong to has a couple heavy touring bikes (2x GoldWings, Road King, Ultra Glide). The one Goldwing guy has ridden so long, he knows how to take curves. When I've been behind him when he was road captain on a ride, I got to see his cornering and its nothing to complain about.

Still, even a guy like that would improve from taking TC.