Raced a Harley Today

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ceemes · #1 Unread post by **ceemes** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:20 am

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 mountain road with no straight sections to speak of and where most of the bends have warning signs that say "MAX SPEED 40 MPH".

I knew if I was going to pass one of those monsters with those big-cubic-inch motors, it would have to be a place like this where handling and rider skill are more important than horsepower 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 mudguard. 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 the mountain. 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 out-power me. His horsepower was almost too much to overcome, but this only made me more determined than ever.

My only hope was to out-brake him. I held off squeezing the lever until the very last moment. I kept my nerve while he lost his. In an instant I was with 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 mountain 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...

Fri Jun 19, 2009 8:53 am

PacificShot327 · Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:54 am

Love it!

#4 Unread post by **jaskc78** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:18 am

absolutely haha-larious!

Brackstone · Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:14 am

dean owens · Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:35 pm

king robb · #7 Unread post by **king robb** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:39 pm

Gummiente · #8 Unread post by **Gummiente** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:31 pm

Man, some of you must be really new to the internet... I remember seeing that 6 years ago on a Triumph forum I belonged to at the time.

PacificShot327 · Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:09 am

Hm... 6 years ago, I was just starting high school, strolling around in my pickle-green ROTC uniform, walking home 2 miles because I was too shy to ride the bus with the other kids, and didn't even have a computer to lead me to the Triumph forums...

Gotta admit, that was quite the image, picturing Ceemes on a bicycle pedaling his heart out.

Brackstone · Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:17 am

PacificShot327 wrote: Gotta admit, that was quite the image, picturing Ceemes on a bicycle pedaling his heart out.

LOL, now I am picturing that too!