I set out to the BCR Saturday, a day late to avoid the rain and for my punishment, rode down in the poring rain. I took a two laner, US421 to Lafayette, then US231 to Spenser.
Riding a 2 laner is mostly preferable to taking an interstate, but they have one main issue, Pilgrim Caravans. A pilgrim is a driver not in a hurry, driving below my pace. My pace on a 2 lane highway is 65 mph, 55 is the posted limit. A caravan forms when another pilgrim tailgates the first and then another and more, until there's 4 or 5 pilgrims bumper to bumper, too close together to allow me to pass them each one by one.
After hours of rain I was getting cranky. I came up to a caravan and passed the last two cars and forced my way in. The road looked clear so I pulled out to get the lead two cars. Lo and behold a grey car, in a grey landscape appeared in front of me. There was a dip in the road ahead, and this car came forth from the dip. I'm not the panic type so I applied a little brake slowed down and forced my way back into the caravan where I came. The person behind me was just mean enough to close the gap when I pulled out, but not fast enough.
After a minute I felt that post adrenaline heaviness, and the realization came that for a moment there I was looking into the eyes of the man with whom was to collide.
We were coming into a small town, slowed down and came to a stop light. As we sat there I had a flash back to my life in Chicago during the 1980s & 90s. I pulled up to the front of the line on the right, and when the light changed to green I pulled out and left this pilgrim caravan behind.
That's what I call a Chicago Pass. However when I lived in Chicago I used to call it a Stop Light Pass. Chicago Pass sounds more cool and that's where I learned it.
I used a Chicago Pass three more times on my way south, and once on my way north. But really I don't like to do it, it gets folks riled up. On my way north I dumped a red neck in his black pickup, he tried to catch up to me on the highway, but he cooled off.
Anyway I'm sure I did not invent that trick, but it was my bad to use it.
Bill
P.S. That is how we collect fe' the old way.
Riding a 2 laner is mostly preferable to taking an interstate, but they have one main issue, Pilgrim Caravans. A pilgrim is a driver not in a hurry, driving below my pace. My pace on a 2 lane highway is 65 mph, 55 is the posted limit. A caravan forms when another pilgrim tailgates the first and then another and more, until there's 4 or 5 pilgrims bumper to bumper, too close together to allow me to pass them each one by one.
After hours of rain I was getting cranky. I came up to a caravan and passed the last two cars and forced my way in. The road looked clear so I pulled out to get the lead two cars. Lo and behold a grey car, in a grey landscape appeared in front of me. There was a dip in the road ahead, and this car came forth from the dip. I'm not the panic type so I applied a little brake slowed down and forced my way back into the caravan where I came. The person behind me was just mean enough to close the gap when I pulled out, but not fast enough.
After a minute I felt that post adrenaline heaviness, and the realization came that for a moment there I was looking into the eyes of the man with whom was to collide.
We were coming into a small town, slowed down and came to a stop light. As we sat there I had a flash back to my life in Chicago during the 1980s & 90s. I pulled up to the front of the line on the right, and when the light changed to green I pulled out and left this pilgrim caravan behind.
That's what I call a Chicago Pass. However when I lived in Chicago I used to call it a Stop Light Pass. Chicago Pass sounds more cool and that's where I learned it.
I used a Chicago Pass three more times on my way south, and once on my way north. But really I don't like to do it, it gets folks riled up. On my way north I dumped a red neck in his black pickup, he tried to catch up to me on the highway, but he cooled off.
Anyway I'm sure I did not invent that trick, but it was my bad to use it.
Bill
P.S. That is how we collect fe' the old way.
