Another Reason Not to Ride Parallel

[terese]

TUESDAY MAY 17, 2010


PERSONAL-INJURY ACCIDENT

MINERVA, NY — A Glens Falls motorcyclist suffered minor injuries Sunday after she was bumped off the road by her riding partner.

Mary B. Barker, 46, was riding north on a 2009 Harley Davidson at about 3:27 p.m. behind Wayne E. Barker, 52, who was riding a 2008 Harley Davidson, according to Schroon Lake-based State Police.

Wayne Barker slowed his motorcycle in an attempt to get closer to Mary Barker and speak to her.

When he was riding parallel to Mary Barker, Wayne Barker's right rearview mirror bumped her left handlebar, causing it to twist and sending the bike off the road and into a ditch near the intersection with Murphy Jones Road.

Mary Barker suffered back and left hip pain and was transported to Glens Falls Hospital for treatment.

No tickets were issued.

[JSparks]

I was thinking back the other day about riding in my teen-aged years and the fact that we almost always rode parallel, why I don't really know. We were lucky I guess. In those times when we were confident in our immortality I imagine we did it because John and Ponch did it, although we couldn't talk to each other at interstate speeds like they did.
Jeff Sparks
R1150R