Now that February is almost over, maybe we will start to see some warmer weather.  It is unbelievable how cold it as been this season.  I was beginning to think that I was back living in New England!! Even though it has been quite "cool" we have still managed to get some riding in although dressed in multi-layers.

One of the many things that we "preach" in Rider's Edge is that motorcycling is more of a mental process than that of the hands and feet.  What we mean is that you must always be paying attention to what is going on around you, in front, the sides and behind you.  Ride as if you are invisible!! Now, thinking about your surroundings, you should always think about your placement on the road.  Can you see oncoming vehicles, but more importantly, can they see you?   Something for you all to think about is what happens if an oncoming vehicle decides to turn left in front of you.  Will you be prepared and what will be your reaction? Where is your escape route? Be constantly planning and playing "What if"?

Something I see quite often is a motorcyclist stopping very close behind other vehicles at traffic signals or stopped traffic. In a vehicle, if you can't see the rear tires touching the ground, you are too close!  On a motorcycle, you can get much closer and still see the rear wheels, but where is your escape route if you need to move fast?  How many times have you seen a car rear ended at a traffic light?  If the car behind you gets hit, where do you think it is going to go?  Give yourself some room, just in case, and DON'T shift into neutral!!  If you need to move quickly due to a potential problem behind you, suddenly needing to shift back to first gear may not give you time to get out of the way!!

You may not be able to move far but anything is better than getting rear-ended.  Leaving space in front may also allow you to move forward slightly if the driver behind you stops too close to you.  Again, what if someone hits him or her?  Use your mental skills to stay as safe as possible!!

Ride safe!!