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The Pigeon

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    The Pigeon

    I was talking with one of my buddies about this site. He reminded me of something that happened around 10 years ago. I'd like to say that; 1. I cant believe I forgot this happened, and 2. my excuse is I was 22 at the time.

    My buddy and I used to take high speed trips up to Carlsbad (that's in Southern California) to eat at "Pee Soup Andersons." Often we would arrive during the last few hours they were open. On the way home (N 5 fwy all the way to where it meets the 405 fwy) we would be hitting triple digits. On this particular night I was riding my 1979 GS1000 (I'm a GS lover from way back) It had a small cafe style fairing, was painted orange, pipe, carbs...the usual. As the both of us approached "El Toro Marine Base" I was moving at around 120 indicated when it happened. I felt a crunch against my chest/stomach area. The next thing I recall I was gasping for air , trying to keep the bike in a straight line. My friend who was riding behind me was now by me, pointing to the side of the road. He was motioning for me to pull over. I really thought I was going to pass out, thinking was not on top of my list. Somehow I made it to the side, stopped, put down the side-stand, then stepped off. I felt deep, sharp pains around the ribs. The next thing I did was step in front of my bikes light. I could see what looked like rasberry jam with feathers mixed into it, maybe a beak, or a claw? My riding partner ran up looked at me, made sure I was ok (which I was not), then started laughing . He told me he was riding behind me and all he saw was something white explode from around me. He was thinking I had struck something in the road. On the contrary something had struck me. It was either a pigeon, sea-gull, or ??

    It still baffels me to this day. Once we arrived at the E.R (rode with two cracked and multi bruised ribs: OH youth) the E.R Doc was equally perplexed. According to him Pigeons dont fly at night, I guess most birds dont. I told him I wished he'd tell my ribs that. We were by a Marine base. Perhaps it was a secret military bird, prototype Kamikazi bird? Anyway, he scolded us both for riding so fast.

    I thought you'd enjoy the story. I'm sure I'm not alone when it comes to running into lifes feathery or furry friends. I know I'd like to hear about your story. Might make me feel better, now that I think about it my ribs kinda hurt

    #2
    You rode from the 5/405 split all the way down to Carlsbad, just to go to Pea Soup Andersons? That's dedication. From what I remember, that stretch from Oceanside up to San Onofre is nice and straight though.

    I'm almost as bad. I made my sister in law drive 180 miles each way to go to Adalberto's in Sacramento (well, didn't MAKE her, she was going down there anyway, I just had her bring me some good mexican grub back).

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      #3
      Yeah Jeck...those were the days. It was prior to getting married. We used to do all sorts of those things. Ride up to San Fransisco to see a movie, Vegas for the buffet. Heck we would sit at the local Carrows (this was when they were open 24hrs) with one cup of "Joe" all night, then go to work from there. It was a pretty good waste of time. The sad thing is they closed the Carlsbad "Pee Soup Anderson" some years back, matter of fact they just closed the Carrows we used to hang out at. IM FEELING OLD HERE....

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        #4
        Some birds roost/nest on the ground. Its possible the noise from your bikes, or a predator spooked one such bird at just the wrong time.



        Or maybe it was one of those rare Californian feathered bats.

        Billy

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          #5
          I remember a cloudy day when I took off my aviators on a ride- caught a grasshopper right in the eye. Um, that's not nearly as impressive as Jeckler's high speed Panda...Cool!

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            #6
            I found that pic on an R/C site I frequent. I want to recreate it myself, but use one of my kids bikes.
            You haven't seen the ballon pic yet, have you? How about Hap in the thong? Scotty dressed as a clown?

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              #7
              I'll bet it was a game bird. Maybe a grouse or something. I don't know about the law down there in Cali, but up here it's illegal to use a motor vehicle while hunting. Around here, pheasant strikes aren't too uncommon. I just wish I had that much luck with the shotgun. I need a dog...

              Michael

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                #8
                Sounds like time for the bug and singing story again. Maybe the bee stings in various places also.

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                  #9
                  .....Last clown I met was riding a VW trike with his 'ol lady. Thankfully no thongs were present! Anyway, ever see that CAG 50 Suzuki made? Might make a cute shot (If one could be found!) You can see one here...

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                    #10
                    THE BIRDS!!!!!

                    I think I have an ID for ya on the bird.
                    We were pulling out of a casino at night in the Eastern Oregon high desert one night driving an SUV...doing about sixty when the headlights picked up a winged critter holding some food in its claws pulling up and out of the ditch on the right.....the last I saw was this giant wing spanning the hood of the vehicle .....POW!!!!. Punched a hole in the grille some six inches across.
                    Hmmmmm..predator bird...flying at night & big....It was a large barn owl!. Only thing that made sense. Got home OK....discovered a small pinhole in the radiator, but no bird to be found on the turnaround.
                    Rick.......

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                      #11
                      I almost ran off the road avoiding one of things at night in eastern WA. I guess he thought the road was a nice place to eat dinner. So much for having excellent senses...

                      Michael

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                        #12
                        One of my buddies was talking about getting a bee inside his helmet. I guess he was riding with the visor at half open. He also wears glasses (which is probably what saved him) when he heard a "Thwap" sound on his helmet. Next thing he knows he feels something on his face, then sees a big ol bee climbing on the lens for his glasses. I have to give him credit for pulling calmly to the side of the road, opening his visor all the way, taking his glasses off, then closing the visor again. He wanted me to tell you no bees were harmed in the telling of this story.

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