We all say we know the risks of riding a bike on the road and we accept those risks .... do we, or do we just lock our concerns and thoughts in a box in the back of our minds, stick our heads in the sand and think it will never happen to us
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I think you are spot on there.
20 years ago I came in from work and my wife said '' Sit down, I've got some bad news''
Upshot was that my young brothers best friend was riding to work down a country lane and a dog ran out in front of him. He braked and because the road was muddy he lost it and hit a car head on and was killed. He was 21.
I'd watched him grow up from a 5 year old lad in short trousers into a young man with an excellent future ahead of him. We'd had a few rides out together and he was a good rider.
I saw first hand the devastation to the family and couldn't bear to go near my bike for 6 months and when I did go out I didn't enjoy it at first. But time heals even the deepest wounds.
I think you are absoloutely right to have your thoughts and feelings, but when bikes are in your blood you seem to be drawn back to them, as not many things can give you the same thrill.
I've got a young family and sometimes I think to myself '' You've got away with it up till now, pack it in while you're ahead'' and then the sun shines and I can't resist another ride...''I'll be O.K.''
Phil