A Sad Day

Today, Negros Day, is a SAD day for all the biking community.

We bikers have developed a certain esprit de corps being bonded by our common love for the sport. Naturally, we have a deep and sincere concern for each other’s safety, regardless. My ride is never complete without sending out prayers of safety and protection to all the other bikers I come across with.

Bikers are not just a bunch of reckless, careless and suicidal lot as some motorists perceive us to be. We are acutely aware of the dangers on the road. All the gears, from the helmet down to the bright jerseys and tail lights are not just for aesthetic purposes but mainly for safety reasons…particularly to be seen--- literally--- on the road.

Hence, the news earlier this morning of a fatal collision involving a biker named Ben Morana was totally awful and shocking. From the bits and pieces I gathered from fellow bikers, Ben was struck from behind by the driver of a speeding pick-up who, unable to overtake on the left because of an oncoming vehicle, opted to overtake on the right where Ben was then.

I was particularly stunned as hubby and I passed through the same route Ben took earlier in the day.

The horrific news immediately spread like wildfire among fellow bikers. For sure, his death left a lot of us devastated and with shaken confidence.

Ben was on the right side of the road –factually and figuratively --- at the time the collision occurred. At the right place but, unfortunately, the wrong time. What a senseless tragedy!

What are we supposed to do now? Are we expected not only to look forward for road hazards, sideways for passing motorists…but likewise, backwards for reckless drivers?

Like others, my heart goes to Ben, his family and to all those who feel this loss.

To everyone, Ride on but Ride safe!

Wood War

Wonder what the picture here is of? That’s the detour roadblock…after I, on a bike, attacked it. The roadblock, which took up the entire right lane, was set-up to prevent cars from traversing the newly cement-covered fissure on that portion of the road.

It was about a quarter before 6 in the morning when I approached said roadblock, made-up of 3 makeshift wooden signboards and an orange-colored hard plastic barrier placed about a meter apart along side each other. The day before, I noted that one can negotiate right through each meter gap.

My pet peeve while biking is being compelled to stop after gaining momentum. It is a hassle to stop in the course of my trip and pick up pace all over again.

As I was getting nearer the roadblock, I thought of 2 options. First, to take the opposite lane with an oncoming speeding motorcycle and a jeepney right behind it; second, to pass through the one meter gap between the orange plastic barrier and one of the wooden signages. Full stop? I just mentioned it’s a hassle…so...not one of my options.

I picked up speed to beat the motorcycle before it crosses the contested roadblock. Just a few meters away, I realized that the motorcycle driver had the same intention, forcing me to take on my next option. My naturally wide eyes opened its widest when I noticed too late a 3x6 inches wooden plank on top of the entire length of the roadblock. Both feet being clipped to the pedals, a full stop was out of the question. Left with no other choice, I braced myself to ram directly to the wood plank hopeful that the impact would cause it to fall down. And, boy... no wonder they call it hard wood.

I found out later after I picked up my spoils of war…watch with a broken strap…a shaken pride…. that the wood plank was nailed to the signboards.

Well….the swelling bruises on both my forearms and right hips are mute witnesses to my ignominious loss with my war versus the wooden plank. Oh…of course, there are other witnesses --- like the 2 other bikers right behind me.

For sure, the minor wounds in my arms would only take a few days to heal…but…how long does it take to heal a bruised ego?