I went for a short ride of about 20 miles tonight. I was on a two lane county road, dark, light traffic and with cross intersections about every 1/2 mile. My road was through traffic, no stop signs. I'm cruising the speed limit of 45 mph when I see a semi tractor trailer rig, no lights and not running, parked on the right shoulder, maybe 300 feet ahead. The road is dark and there is no traffic for maybe 1/2 mile ahead. As I reach the rear of the rig, I get an odd, flush feeling, the kind you get when when something is really wrong, but there was nothing wrong, nothing there and no one in sight. A small voice whispered to chop the speed and get on the brakes. I did and as I reached the back of the cab, a car that was parked in the dark, in front of the semi, lights off, pulled onto the road and then turned on their lights. Had I continued at the speed limit, I would have been in the space the unlit car pulled onto the road at. This type of thing has happened more often that I can attribute to chance. Maybe I've been riding so long that I've developed some kind of odd instinct. It certainly isnt any concious thought or directed effort. It just happens. I almost scare myself sometimes. I wish I knew how I know.
Earl
Earl