Driver Insolence!

[Groins_NZ]

I’m new to these forums but I have a story to tell about an incident which happened to me last night.

I rode up to Levin last night from Pauatahanui to visit my parents. My parents live near the hills on Queen Street and I decided to turn up Tararua Road to go ‘the back way’ home. There’s a couple of tight corners on Cladstone Road travelling from the top end of Tararua Rd to Queen Street East going North. Anyway, on the first corner I slowed right down to take the corner calmly – just as I was going to start putting a little power on coming out, a car coming the opposite way headed straight for me! They actually swerved into me, aiming to hit me and the bike .

This all happened in about two seconds. I just remember saying FUCK! or SHIT! or both, and automatically braking and swerving off the road to avoid being somersaulted over the top of the car. In this 2 seconds I managed to get a good glimpse of the car’s occupants – a car load of young men who looked all but 16-17. In the 3rd second I flipped my head over my shoulder and saw the car lose control in the grass verge opposite, re-gain control and take off.

I estimate I was going about 30km in the corner, while the offending vehicle looked like they were going like a bat out of hell.

I was really shook up, but determined to give chase so I could get the number plate. I stalled trying to turn the bike in the narrow road (plus I was shaking – either with shock or rage I don’t know – probably both). Eventually got the bike on the straight and narrow and absolutely caned it back up to Tararua Road seeing the car turn down Tararua Road in the distance. I came up to Tararua Road and slowed right down as there’s a lot of loose gravel at the top end. Couldn’t see the car before the bend in the road. Accelerated like a mad bastard up to 160km in a matter of seconds, came around the bend and saw the car in the distance getting further away!

By now I was thinking, f__k me! they must be doing 160km+. I saw the car turn left into Arapaepae Road in the distance at first, but then they doubled back to go right. By the time I got to Arapaepae and gave way to traffic I could not see them. Still wound up I let fly again, passed two car’s at about 160km and saw the car turn down Queen Street heading into Levin. By this time I was thinking to myself that this was getting a bit dangerous as they must have been travelling pretty quick to be increasing the distance all the time. I slowed down coming up to Queen Street/Arapaepae crossing, turned the corner and they were gone. A fellow biker was coming towards me, oblivious to my resent near miss – he waved out as I decided to give up the chase, regaining a cool head , did a u-turn and headed for my parents where I would have be 20 mins ago if it weren’t for some darn right lunatic driver bent on causing grievous bodily harm to motorcyclists – fucker!

I rang the cops anyway to give a description of the car (bronze coloured 1993-95 Honda Civic) hoping like hell I would get a call later in the evening saying they’d found it so I could go and give the driver a piece of my mind, and steel capped boot – no such luck.

Another story comes to mind which happened not so long ago on my older bike (Honda GL400) when I decided to go up the Akatarawa’s over to Silverstream. This was when the snow was up there so I was taking it real slow, not wanting to slip. I came round a bend and a car coming the opposite way decides to loft snow balls at me which hit the front windshield, cracking it, and then hitting me in the stomach. ‘You fuck!….’, I think, as they continued down the hill. I thought about turning about face this time too but thought it wasn’t a good idea considering the road and weather conditions.

I think this attitude towards motorcyclists really sucks, its appalling – do they think it’s a joke?! Maybe they’d like to swap places and then they’ll have some appreciation.

Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them?

[Groins_NZ]

Oh... and hello to all - sorry for ranting on, on my second post too!

[riffer]

I think this attitude towards motorcyclists really sucks, its appalling – do they think it’s a joke?! Maybe they’d like to swap places and then they’ll have some appreciation.

Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them?

No, not really. I had to take evasive action when I was 18 to avoid a Holden Ute driven by a drunk driver. I ended up hitting a traffic island and sailing in to a lamp post. Wrote off my GP125.

Except for that, most of my problems with cages have been that the drivers just don't notice me.

This behaviour sounds very off to me. I take it you've taken it up with the appropriate authorities? Levin's not a big place. If they are locals they will be known...

[Uncle B]

On the motorway in the morning when the traffic is banked up & crawling I carefully scoot down the middle cause I hate being stuck in traffic.
I've had people swerve to block me comming through just because there not moving (so tempted to knock off their mirror).
Also I herd about one bloke had someone open a car door on him to block him comming through.
When I'm in my car & being a rider myself I would never do anything to harm a fellow biker.

[crashe]

at least you are still alive to tell the story.... which is the main thing.

Ring the cops again to see if they know who it was..... Levin is a small place so they will know all the local kids.... I bet ya a bottom dollar that the driver isnt meant to have passengers.... just imagine if they had crashed.... and they died.... the parents would be blaming someone else.... instead of themselves for letting there wee darlings out at night... If they are 16 years old there is no way they would have their full license.

[ajturbo]

you poor bugger! not much luck down there eh? hell i will not have levin on the place to live list!

years ago a woman ( the most amazing looking woman i have EVER seen) did a "U" turn in front of me, i lay the bike down, and slide right past her, the passenger was the one that saw me!!! ( most likely herd me!!!)
didn't know it was the girl of my dreams( wet) untill i ripped the door open ready to punch his...... it is funny what a women does to a guy

[SuperDave]

Had some shit happen to me in my short time since starting to ride, but nothing comes close the crazy shit you have experienced

[Skyryder]

I’m new to these forums but I have a story to tell about an incident which happened to me last night.

I rode up to Levin last night from Pauatahanui to visit my parents. My parents live near the hills on Queen Street and I decided to turn up Tararua Road to go ‘the back way’ home. There’s a couple of tight corners on Cladstone Road travelling from the top end of Tararua Rd to Queen Street East going North. Anyway, on the first corner I slowed right down to take the corner calmly – just as I was going to start putting a little power on coming out, a car coming the opposite way headed straight for me! They actually swerved into me, aiming to hit me and the bike .

This all happened in about two seconds. I just remember saying FUCK! or SHIT! or both, and automatically braking and swerving off the road to avoid being somersaulted over the top of the car. In this 2 seconds I managed to get a good glimpse of the car’s occupants – a car load of young men who looked all but 16-17. In the 3rd second I flipped my head over my shoulder and saw the car lose control in the grass verge opposite, re-gain control and take off.

I estimate I was going about 30km in the corner, while the offending vehicle looked like they were going like a bat out of hell.

I was really shook up, but determined to give chase so I could get the number plate. I stalled trying to turn the bike in the narrow road (plus I was shaking – either with shock or rage I don’t know – probably both). Eventually got the bike on the straight and narrow and absolutely caned it back up to Tararua Road seeing the car turn down Tararua Road in the distance. I came up to Tararua Road and slowed right down as there’s a lot of loose gravel at the top end. Couldn’t see the car before the bend in the road. Accelerated like a mad bastard up to 160km in a matter of seconds, came around the bend and saw the car in the distance getting further away!

By now I was thinking, f__k me! they must be doing 160km+. I saw the car turn left into Arapaepae Road in the distance at first, but then they doubled back to go right. By the time I got to Arapaepae and gave way to traffic I could not see them. Still wound up I let fly again, passed two car’s at about 160km and saw the car turn down Queen Street heading into Levin. By this time I was thinking to myself that this was getting a bit dangerous as they must have been travelling pretty quick to be increasing the distance all the time. I slowed down coming up to Queen Street/Arapaepae crossing, turned the corner and they were gone. A fellow biker was coming towards me, oblivious to my resent near miss – he waved out as I decided to give up the chase, regaining a cool head , did a u-turn and headed for my parents where I would have be 20 mins ago if it weren’t for some darn right lunatic driver bent on causing grievous bodily harm to motorcyclists – fucker!

I rang the cops anyway to give a description of the car (bronze coloured 1993-95 Honda Civic) hoping like hell I would get a call later in the evening saying they’d found it so I could go and give the driver a piece of my mind, and steel capped boot – no such luck.

Another story comes to mind which happened not so long ago on my older bike (Honda GL400) when I decided to go up the Akatarawa’s over to Silverstream. This was when the snow was up there so I was taking it real slow, not wanting to slip. I came round a bend and a car coming the opposite way decides to loft snow balls at me which hit the front windshield, cracking it, and then hitting me in the stomach. ‘You fuck!….’, I think, as they continued down the hill. I thought about turning about face this time too but thought it wasn’t a good idea considering the road and weather conditions.

I think this attitude towards motorcyclists really sucks, its appalling – do they think it’s a joke?! Maybe they’d like to swap places and then they’ll have some appreciation.

Has anyone else had anything like this happen to them?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you did the wrong thing giving chase.

1 (I was really shook up,)

2 ( I stalled trying to turn the bike in the narrow road (plus I was shaking – either with shock or rage I don’t know – probably both).

3 ( got the bike on the straight and narrow and absolutely caned it back up to Tararua Road seeing the car

4 ( passed two car’s at about 160km

All this and for what. If you get your self stressed out on the road you are going to kill yourself. Safe riding is about self control.

Don't take this the wrong way. But there is a lesson here.

Skyryder

[Paul in NZ]

Don't take it personally...

It's not the fact you were on a bike it's just the world is full of pathetic small minded people with no self esteem and even less self control....

There was a lot of them in the car and the driver felt 'safe' having a go at you for a 'laf' because you looked vunerable and there would not likely to be any consequences (for them).... If the worst had come to the worst he would have been horrified by what he had done and would appear blubbing in court 'I didn't mean it, I was just having a lark, I'm so sorry, I had no idea....etc etc'

They were probably off to buy some beer on a fake ID and then deal to a couple of letter boxes......

sigh....

All you can do is try not to sink to their level..

Paul N

[Wellyman]

Cage drivers has no respect for us motorcyclists. We should be respected as road users and cage drives stupidity is definatly shown in the stories above.

[Sniper]

Im with the others, just take into account you are very lucky and that there is always another time. Quiet word of advice is if you around Levin sometime, keep an eye out for the car, get the rego and go to the cops.

You never know, those cars you passed may have taken down your rego and then suddenly you are the bad guy, not the wankers that tried to run you off the road.

Just take care buddy, meet up with some friends, have a few drinks, plot revenge and then forget about. Thats just my advice and you decide if you want to use it.

[750Y]

On the motorway...I've had people swerve to block me comming through just because there not moving.

been there

Also I herd about one bloke had someone open a car door on him to block him comming through.

there too.

...so tempted to knock off their mirror.

makes a staisfying noise, lol

[Hitcher]

Groins welcome to the site.

And all of this on your near-new Hornet!

I met you the other night on top of the Paekak hill on your way back from Wanganui with your new pride and joy.

[Groins_NZ]

Thanks for the comments Skyryder – good to be pointed out.

I do think I was fully aware of my actions after the incident. I almost decided not to follow, but as I deemed the incident to be absolutely ludicrous I was quite keen to get the number plate of the vehicle. If I hadn’t had my wits about me then I might have been doing 180-200km instead of 160km. I think 160km sounds like an exaggeration in my story and doesn’t relate to constant velocity but instead, only ‘burst’ speed when I saw the road ahead was clear.

Right from the beginning, in pursuit of the car, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to catch up to the vehicle as I knew that was dangerous (would have entailed me going at least 200km/hr constant) but thought they may have slowed thinking I had gone on my way.

I think you’re right however, in pointing out; ‘All this and for what….’. At the time I debated with myself (loosing a good 20secs on them ) whether or not to follow. I couldn’t help thinking how blatant their actions were, it really was absurd! – “should I get their number plate?” I guess you had to be there and experience it – I made the decision to follow and maybe get a registration – it soon became clear to me that this wasn’t going to happen – any further action on my part would have been too dangerous.

crashe
“just imagine if they had crashed.... and they died.... the parents would be blaming someone else.... instead of themselves for letting there wee darlings out at night...”

That’s exactly what I was thinking…
I can also remember my younger days as a teenager in which I did some pretty irresponsible/dangerous stuff which I didn’t usually repeat – fortunately I learnt my lessons the first time around. Hopefully these chaps, won’t be repeating this kind of thing anytime soon.

Cheers

[Groins_NZ]

Hi Hitcher

Yes indeed, all on the new Hornet - clad I had the use of new brakes in this situation. Don't know how the old GL400 would have coped.

Would have liked to of gone on that big ride you guys did overnight just gone - pity I had to work Saturday! - next time.

Cheers.