unclebuck
13 January 2006, 14:57
>I raced a Harley today and after some really hard riding I managed to
>PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting
>sections of Oxford road with no straight sections to speak of and where
>most of the bends have warning signs that say "15 MPH".
>
>I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
>big-V-Twin motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling
>and rider skill are more important than BHP alone.
>
>I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could
>catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering.
>Three corners later, I was on his tail. Catching him was one thing;
>passing him would prove to be another.
>
>Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down a long
>downhill. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got
>by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to
>pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came
>out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost
>too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.
>
>My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until
>the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him.
>Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he
>struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road
>straightens out and he would pass me for good.
>
>But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I
>stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the
>canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.
>
>Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before
>he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no
>match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest
>section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower
>and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won
>the race to the bottom of the valley and I had preserved the proud
>tradition of one of the best bits of brit iron.
>
>I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so
>hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Raleigh cycles, as
>well. They really make a great bicycle...
:D
>PASS the guy. I was riding on one of those really, really twisting
>sections of Oxford road with no straight sections to speak of and where
>most of the bends have warning signs that say "15 MPH".
>
>I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those
>big-V-Twin motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling
>and rider skill are more important than BHP alone.
>
>I saw the guy up ahead as I exited one of the turns and knew I could
>catch him, but it wouldn't be easy. I concentrated on my braking and cornering.
>Three corners later, I was on his tail. Catching him was one thing;
>passing him would prove to be another.
>
>Two corners later, I pulled up next to him as we sailed down a long
>downhill. I think he was shocked to see me next to him, as I nearly got
>by him before he could recover. Next corner, same thing. I'd manage to
>pull up next to him as we started to enter the corners but when we came
>out he'd get on the throttle and outpower me. His horsepower was almost
>too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.
>
>My only hope was to outbrake him. I held off squeezing the lever until
>the last instant. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was by him.
>Corner after corner, I could hear the roar of his engine as he
>struggled to keep up. Three more miles to go before the road
>straightens out and he would pass me for good.
>
>But now I was in the lead and he would no longer hold me back. I
>stretched out my lead and by the time we reached the bottom of the
>canyon, he was more than a full corner behind. I could no longer see him in my rear-view mirror.
>
>Once the road did straighten out, it seemed like it took miles before
>he passed me, but it was probably just a few hundred yards. I was no
>match for that kind of horsepower, but it was done. In the tightest
>section of road, where bravery and skill count for more than horsepower
>and deep pockets, I had passed him. though it was not easy, I had won
>the race to the bottom of the valley and I had preserved the proud
>tradition of one of the best bits of brit iron.
>
>I will always remember that moment. I don't think I've ever pedaled so
>hard in my life. And some of the credit must go to Raleigh cycles, as
>well. They really make a great bicycle...
:D