Date:         Thu, 18 Oct 2001 10:14:16 -0700
Reply-To:     David Bingham <DBingham@CASAGOFASTICA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Bingham <DBingham@CASAGOFASTICA.COM>
Organization: Casa Gofastica Motorcycle Service
Subject:      Re: Near Death Experience in the Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I was driving kind of fast on a winding gravel road above lake Coeur d'
Alene in Idaho.
I came around a corner and the sun hit me in the eyes, totally blinding me
for a minute.
The passenger side front wheel hooked over the edge of a cliff and the wheel
tried to
tear out of my hands. I was able to recover and continue on at my pseudo
rally driver
pace.
Always wear your seat belt. That should be obvious. Also, secure everything
in your
vehical that weighs more than 8 onces. That tool box or cooler can become
leathal
in a roll over. Also, not only should you have your hands at 10 and 2 on the
wheel
at all times, but during agressive driving off road or on dirt roads, don't
wrap your
thumbs around the wheel. If you hook a tire on somthing the wheel can
actually
break your thumb causing you to lose control.
I think I should also mention, please keep right except to pass. I hate
passing cars
in the right lane while on my bike. Just let me go by and before you know it
I
will be long out of site and no longer pissing you off.
David