Having read about the fatal crash on the A31 this week in which a motorcyclist hit a horse and died and another biker is seriously ill - and in the knowledge that I have travelled that road every work day for the passed 13 years. In fact I was on the A31 that night but was turned off just minutes before the incident happened - "there but for the Grace of God go I....."
I try not to get too philosophical about life, death and motorcycling but the thought that if I had not turned off that night, I too would have filtered to the front of the traffic and could have been sat with the other two guys.
Life on a bike is risky and you do what you can to minimise those risks but somethings you just can't factor in - New Forrest ponies on a Dual Carriageway declared "OK" by police is one of them. Hence being a member of the IAM.
I have, for years been thinking about, talking about and planning for my retirement at about 65 and about taking the trip of a lifetime but ....... will I still be well enough or even alive to enjoy it !!!! I bet the biker that died had plans too.
So what's to be done ? Enjoy every day as if it was your last - or is that too is risky..... Keep planning - oh yes ! Get fit, lose a few pounds - possibly ! Stop biking - definitely not....... RIP Biker who ever you were. N