This afternoon I was driving "the back way" from Crystal Lake to Woodstock and was poking along at 40MPH (in the 40MPH speed zone) on Country Club Road near McConnell Road. I had been keeping an eye on the grey Corvette convertible (license SIXSPD 3) behind me, because the driver was antsy and I expected him to pass me.
Hey, it's not my fault that the County engineer decided on a modest 40MPH speed limit at that point. I think I once counted the number of times that the speed limit changes from Ridgefield (where???) to Woodstock; I think there are nine speed zones in that relatively short stretch of Country Club Road.
Suddenly a crotch rocket flew past me. I heard him coming and checked my mirrors. There he was, across the double yellow no-passing lines and in the oncoming lane of traffic. I estimated his speed at 75MPH as he passed two cars behind me and me. And then a second crotch rocket flew past at about the same speed. And on they went out of sight toward Woodstock.
Wouldn't you know that I was in a weak cell phone area. I speed-dialed the sheriff's department but, while I was talking to the dispatcher, the call got dropped. Realizing that there was no way a deputy would be likely to encounter them, I dialed the Woodstock Police to ask their help.
At least, that call didn't get dropped, although the connection was not good. I was hoping the two motorcyclists would head on into Woodstock and that a Woodstock officer find might a reason to detain them near the Jewel. When I reached Jewel, I pulled into the lot, hoping to see the bikes - no luck.
Just then a Woodstock officer told me he had talked to two motorcyclists in the Walgreen's parking lot on the same type of motorcycles. We headed that way, but I could tell they were different bikes and that the riders were dressed differently.
One of the jerks on Country Club Road wore a white t-shirt with a fluorescent, high-visibility vest over it. Maybe that's so, when he lands in the trees, the rescue squad will be able to find him faster.
There was no chance to get a license plate number or to keep them in sight very long. They were lucky this time. Maybe I'll see the bikes in a parking lot and get the plate numbers. I'll be sure to save them for the next time they pass me like that.
Many thanks to the Woodstock dispatcher and the officer who attempted to find these dangerous motorcyclists!
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8 comments:
Didn't you recently complain about drivers talking on their cell phones when they should be driving?
Doesn't sound like they were any more of a danger to you than you were to yourself. Phoning and chasing, phoning and trying to get plate numbers maybe you should concentrate on driving. Hey! Weren't you recently complaining about this too? For future calls to the police about these two fortunately bikes and riders are unique and no two look the same.
Many drivers are able to talk on a cell phone and operate a motor vehicle safely. High awareness of the division in the brain's activity helps. So my complaint is not about people driving and talking; it's about people talking on the cell phones and driving unsafely.
Where did you read that I was chasing the speeding motorcyclists? My car was on Cruise control and remained on Cruise control, without accelerating. Gee, it wouldn't be fair for me to speed and break the law while reporting someone for breaking the law, would it?
I only see two speed limit signs on Country Club Rd. eastbound from Dorham Ln. to Rte 47. They both say 30.
I only see two speed limit signs on Country Club Rd. eastbound from Dorham Ln. to Rte 47. They both say 30.
Sometime, count the number of speed zones between Route 47 and the east end of Country Club Road in Ridgefield...
So what? Count the number of speed changes from here to Mundelein. What, does it hurt your finger to change your cruise control?
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