Deer and Police

[Bludy L]

Yesterday we broke out of a pattern of below average temperatures so I decided to put the TTSE through her paces. Hooligans in the Hills is going to have a Friday ride for barbecue so I decided to check out the picnic pavilion at Seneca Lake Park. The beauty of living in rural Ohio is that I can head out on rides, particularly to the south of beautiful Wayne County and carve curvy, twisty roads with little traffic. The ride to Seneca Lake Park was simple, route 83 to 313 to 574 and I'm there. 90 miles of curvy roads. The only potential hold ups are Millersburg and Coshocton and the route really by passes Coshocton.

I set out early when it was still a bit chilly but being properly dressed for the road it was pleasant. All went well until I was a few miles south of Coshocton, when what to my wondering eyes did appear but a group of three white-tailed deer. They were on the side of the road just waiting to run out in my path. I was fortunate that I spotted them early so I slowed down. We then started a game of chicken. It seemed as if my reduced rate of speed ruined their plans to jump out in front of me. They waited and waited and finally resigned themselves to the fact that I wasn't going to ride by until they made their move. They gave up and ran across the road and the field and into the woods. The trees are lacking leaves so visibility was good. I scanned and scanned and once I was confident that coast was clear I sped down that section of road.

The rest of the ride went well until I was coming north out of Millersburg. Route 83 has some twists and turns but also some straightaways. I was behind a couple of poky drivers so when I got my first passing opportunity, I passed. Still the pokiest of drivers had to be overtaken. At the next opportunity, I passed that driver and then I saw blue and red flashing light come on. I figured he was after me by I didn't know why. I pulled over at the first opportunity for both he and I to get off two-lane, no-shoulder route 83. I dismounted, and got my wallet to retrieve license and proof of insurance. I needed to take the rear seat off as that's where I stow the registration. With all my documentation he retreated to his car. When he returned he asked if I knew why he pulled me over and I told him I didn't. He explains that though I began my pass with a dash line, I returned to my lane after the passing zone ended. He said it's a really short passing zone and I replied that I my view of the road was unobstructed for at least a half mile and how was I supposed to know that the passing zone was really short. To end this tome I'll just say that he gave me a written warning.

I forgot. Later in the day while driving my car to Loudonville a group of 5 white-tailed deer ran across the road in my path, sufficiently far ahead that I wasn't in danger of hitting them. I guess it was my lucky day.

[trophied]

THREE warnings?????    It was indeed your lucky day!

[Xsv]

Originally Posted by Bludy L

When he returned he asked if I knew why he pulled me over and I told him I didn't.

Aww....you missed an opportunity for some fun!!

Because you are lonely? Is the appropriate response

Glad the deer reconsidered their suicide pact and the cop only gave a written warning

[Bludy L]

I'll try that next time!

[1675]

I think you should be grateful for the warning from the officer. After all, it was you who broke the law.

[Xsv]

Originally Posted by 1675

I think you should be grateful for the warning from the officer. After all, it was you who broke the law.

Sounds like a deminimus violation where the warning was appropriate as opposed to a coupon.

[Coconut]

I think the way you handled the LEO by explaining that what you did,
albeit an offence, was perfectly safe in the circumstances,
without being confrontational, will have gone a long way
to earning you that written warning instead of a ticket.

As for the Deer - Top Marks for even spotting them - Many don't !

[Donk]

Deer are unpredictable at best.  A couple of months ago I was headed down a scenic road at about 50mph paying too much attention to, of all things, the scenery.  I passed within 3 feet of a deer standing on the edge of the road.  I remember thinking "she's beautiful and she has the biggest eyes I've ever seen on a deer"  I imagine she was thinking "that TTSE is beautiful and he has the biggest eyes I've ever seen on a rider!"  Nice when everyone survives the incident unscathed.