Sunday, July 18th, 2010

Silver roared out of the Coast Mountains into the Fraser Valley like a wild stallion that had been caged too long. The open skies and wide valley simply encouraged him to take wing with an unbridled enthusiasm I had not seen in a very long time. It was then that I realized that it was not Silver who was soaring- it was me. I was the one in control. I had a gigantic smile on my face as I was experiencing the ultimate in personal freedom, not realizing that in a half hour I would come within two feet of the unthinkable.

…….

The day started in Penticton. Our group woke up and headed south to Oliver where we visited a few more wineries:

Silver Sage- 4th time here (2007, 2008, 2009 previously). This has become a staple of my visits simply because the wines are so unique. They do not use sulphites in their wines and use more fruit per litre to make up for that. Consequently, they have some very powerfully flavoured wines that do not store for very long. I bought a bottle of “The Flame”- a gewürztraminer infused with a hot pepper. It is very spicy and quite sweet. I have no idea when I’ll drink it (since I bought a bottle last year and still have it). Service: 6/10 (usually a 9), Wines: 8/10

Oliver Twist: 2nd time here (2008 previously). They have very nice whites here. I was partial to the Pinot Gris but ended up purchasing their Kerner- it was stellar and very fruity (peaches, citrus). This is a friend- sharing after dinner sipper. Service: 7/10, Wines: 7/10

Desert Hills: 4th time here (2007,2008,2009 previously). This place is a real treat and has the BEST gewürztraminer I’ve ever had. I bought a bottle of that. If I had the wallet for it I could really to go town in here cos the reds are amazing too! One day maybe…. Service: 7/10, Wines 9/10

That was it for wine. The rest of the group went on to tour Seven Stones, where they were good enough to pick up a few bottles of their Syrah for me. I had a bigger task ahead. It was nearly 35 degrees out and Silver and I had to head for the next phase of the That Thing You Do Tour. I was headed for the Coast- Port Moody, where Scott and Gill live.

The ride out of the Okanagan and through Canada’s only desert is pleasant. The heat, however, posed a threat and I had to stop every half hour and drink a litre of water just to stay hydrated. I took the Crowsnest out of Osoyoos to Princeton, then rode through Manning Park to Hope. There’s no better way to ride from BC’s hot, dry interior to its mild, wet coast. Still, I was sad to leave the Okanagan. I love it here, and after five years I’ve gotten to ride down every little road. I feel at home here…although I’m not sure I’d like to live here…if that makes sense.

By suppertime I was in Hope and was ready to leave the mountains for the coast. It was supposed to be a pleasant, uneventful ride.

It wasn’t.

………..

As I passed Abbotsford and neared Langley the traffic was getting thicker and thicker. Weekenders from all over the interior were swarming home. I resolved myself to riding in the passing lane, as I was able to go faster than the myriad of trucks carrying boats and trailers. I watched my speed as I knew there were police around, and made sure to allow at least 5 car lengths between myself and the car in front of me. This is for safety, but sometimes other cars cut into that space.

It was this space that saved my life.

I was behind a large pickup truck. Although I had plenty of space between us, I could not see past the truck at all, so I had no idea what was in front of him. What happened next occurred in the blink of an eye…

Suddenly the truck’s stopping lights flashed red and a plume of smoke emerged from where the tires met the asphalt and a high pitched squeal filled the air. The truck swayed back and forth as it lost all control and contact with the road. The truck was coming to a sudden stop and contact was imminent. It was then that I could see that nearly all traffic had come to a halt in front of it- in both lanes.

I squeezed on my hand break and press hard on my foot break simultaneously. A white SUV behind me was screaming toward me. I began to lose control as the rubber from my tires was melting and being ripped from Silver’s tires. I was starting to sway back and forth myself, and I was unable to stop in time to collide with the truck. There were several vehicles in the lane to my right, and there was only one place to go. I thought I was going to tip over and slide on the asphalt. Sure glade I was wearing lots of leather!

Somehow I was able to manoeuvre Silver in BETWEEN the two lanes of traffic. It was not a moment too soon, and I came within two feet of smashing into the truck ahead of me. My tires squealed loudly as I continued to lurch forward, and all of my concentration was on retaining my balance so that Silver would not tip over.

I slid a few car lengths ahead of the truck and came to a halt. I was stopped next to a blue minivan to my left and a small blue hatchback to my left. They were each about two feet from each side of Silver. Behind me I saw that the white SUV collided with the pickup truck, and I am pretty sure the pickup truck hit the vehicle in front of it. They were not serious collisions, but I would not have wanted to have been between the SUV and the truck when they collided.

The stench of burned rubber was everywhere. A young woman in the car beside me stared at me in disbelief as I tried to collect myself. Traffic started to move again and she let me in front of her. I simply put Silver back into gear and slowly moved forward, and could barely contain myself until I pulled over into a rest area 5 minutes later.

I needed about 20 minutes to collect myself on the grass at the rest area. My adrenaline was still pumping very hard and I was in a state of shock and disbelief. I knew that I was very fortunate to ride away from that unscathed. Luck had little to do it- I thanked my instincts and natural defensive positioning for my fortune.  No time to think.

Silver’s rear tire was down to the cords. I’m pretty sure it was time for a replacement anyway but leaving all of that rubber on the road didn’t help. I was able to ride him into Port Moody and park him at Scott and Gill’s for the night.

Tomorrow I would need to get a new tire for him. But for tonight, I’m just happy to be able to write this tale, and to survive to ride another day. Things sure do become clear in a situation like that- like what is important what isn’t. I learned a lot in that moment.