Problem is motorcyclists, not cyclists

[Trek420]

I've had wonderful experiences with motorcyclists. Yes, there are crazies out there, wacky pedestrians, nutso cyclists, skateboarders, unicyclists, cross country skiers converting the skis to roller blades and OMG people on trikkes

But I've often experienced what feels like a bond of "4 wheels bad, two wheels good" with motorcyclists.

I got lost on my 1st attempt at a multi day tour. I stopped at a dive for a drink and a pee while getting back on route. A motorcycle gang was there. One of them overheard me tell the bartender that I was riding from San Francisco to the Russian River and back and was a leetle off course.

So they made it their gang goal to escort me back to the route.

They sent one of their riders from the bar out down the road and then back to their bar, then another one would pass me and wave and then back to the bar ... this went on till I was safe on the right road.

I've been on descents where motorcyclists slowed entering car traffic till I or my group get past. They know more than many drivers how tough it is for us to brake on a descent.

You don't forget this kind of help. To say nothing of our "moto crew" on the California AIDS ride, those guys and gals are angels.

Spazzdog on this board has told me about a couple of instances on the New York AIDS rides. In one case the riders were on a two level bridge. I don't know New York but I think this is one that enters the city? The riders were on the upper deck with opposing traffic below. I don't know how it happened but she says a rider fell through to the lower deck as a group of motorcyclists were speeding head on towards the fallen cyclists. The motorcyclists stopped creating a V shape around the rider protecting him till help arrived.

Motorcyclists face many of the same issues we do especially visibility and vulnerability of car crashes. We should be working together. We have a lot to learn from each other.