So, a couple of days ago one of my employees was driving a little outside town, cruising the 55-mile-per hour speed limit (which is about as fast as you need to go on that road anyway) when suddenly this motorcycle comes tearing along from behind doing about 80. The bike shot around and went right into a turn the rider apparently wasn't expecting. He strayed off into the ditch, hit the end of a culvert, and that was it. Thank God he was wearing a helmet and hit tall, soft grass at just the right angle of incidence to skid to a stop without major injury.

Turns out he was late to a class in another town and was racing to get there. At 80 on a narrow, curving rural road. On a bike he'd only had for about two weeks and wouldn't yet have been truly used to riding.

Now the new bike is totalled. It just so happens the guy's family lives down the street from me. I've seen the remains of the bike. I can't even identify the make any more, it's such a mess. It really is providential that he wasn't killed in a crash like that. I hope very much that he heeds the painful and expensive wake-up call that he just got.

Truly. Thank Goodness he is OK. Stories like this have to be frustrating for you bikers.

Frustrating yes, but also very, very sad if he had gotten killed. He's only 21! They're a nice family. I'd hate so much to see something like that happen to them, or anyone else.

You couldn't legislate a long enough mandatory training period for motorcycle ownership that would make me happy.

I would love to have a Motorcycle. I'll probably get a 50 CC scooter soon for that 5 mile commute to work during the 9 months of beautiful weather we have every year here.

Scooters make great commuting machines in places where they're suitable. I'd commute on two wheels if I wasn't already close enough to work to walk. If you're looking for a 50-cc machine a Honda Ruckus would probably be just right. Or you could get one of the cheap Chinese scooters that they're selling everywhere now.

Some time back I got behind an older woman riding a scooter in Little Rock. When we approached a red light she whipped off down the side street and reappeared a few moments later from another one beyond the red light. That was the last I saw of her. You could tell she knew the neighborhood well and was used to handling that machine. I thought "You go, girl!"

This morning on the way to work I had a visit with the neighbor whose son wrecked his bike. He had stitches in his knee but no broken bones. He says he doesn't want to replace that bike any time soon. Just as well I'm sure. His father plans to see whether he can salvage any parts. The bike's an obvious write-off.

Incidentally it was a Kawasaki 750 Ninja. Figures. There's probably nothing on two wheels more dangerous than a kid on a Ninja.

Don't I know that...

Also, there is nothing more AWESOME.

Oh, I don't know. I was pretty awed when Dad and I were admiring the scenery at a little roadside spot near Hot Springs and all of a sudden a whole herd of Hogs came rumbling up and surrounded us. Then they all killed their engines and for a moment all you could hear was the distinctive clicking of cooling cylinder heads. It was a magical (and initially slightly scary) moment.

Just found out that my brother plans to come down for a visit. And he plans to ride his own bike. It's something like an 800-900 mile ride. I wouldn't dare try riding that far at this stage in my development as a rider, and I've been riding longer than he has! I'm a little worried about him. It's going to be a serious challenge. But after you've served in Iraq and Afghanistan I guess your idea of "challenging" changes.

On the bright side there shouldn't be anyone shooting at him.

True. He's not going to be riding through Los Angeles.

Dad is making plans to meet him halfway with a bike trailer in case he reconsiders riding the whole distance.