3 Strikes

Fri, 27 Jul 2001 So as it happens to be I am on the fate of 2 with the probability of getting 3 strikes and being put out of the ball game. I am optimistic however with my waves of good fortune and understanding the movement of life. Yes, it happened finally my second major scooter accident in the heart of Taiwan. Let me play a bit on the first strike that happened nearly 3 months ago. I was at the third intersection that we can see from our building. Incidentally if you stand outside on our balcony (the 11th floor) for a time you will most probably see an accident! So I was turning the corner and a hot rider came whipping around me at some higher top speed. Well unfortunately he caught the side of my bike and both our bikes went spinning into oblivion. I am sure he felt like Alice in Wonderland when she was in her spin cycle. I received a bruised hip a broken mirror and some other minor cuts. I was scared with shock for a while after and wow I was pumping adrenalin. The great thing about these teenage cruisers is the stereotype. They all are skinny, rich, brown dyed hair, the hockey style helmet with their 100cc Suzuki Dream scooters that could blow bye my slightly older 125cc. Occasionally their high school girlfriend is riding on the back almost always young and gorgeous. So my run in with this kid was less than favorable and he must have got the worst of it. However despite his spinning bike and body he got up in a hurry boarded once again his bat cycle and cruised on to victory, that I am sure. My cousin Mike promptly yelled “get your can over here”. A good effort but had no effect on the 100% Taiwanese roadster boy wonder. Now the second accident was in (my eyes full of compassion) concern of who’s fault it was. I was cautiously going through the next intersection and what before my eyes should appear but an old ladies scooter and her eyes full of fear. Yes she just jumped out in front of me not looking and I bulldozed her. I almost drove right over her. Quite the speedy dream I was having. I got up picked up my bike and she had slid from out under her scooter and she had a boo boo on her knee. Yip she was just a little hurt and I was once again a shocked man. I picked up all of her things that got scattered and sent her on her way. One guy even drove his scooter over and said that it was nice of me to help her. He obviously did not see the whole picture and assumed that this old lady could barley drive a scooter let alone see where she was going. There you have it folks the talented driving of the Taiwanese. I am amazed almost everyday I see drivers whipping past and through and in between and inside and beside, wow amazing. It has put me over the edge for the competition in the North American market. When I return I will be rearing to go. I will just need to consider something a little bigger than the maximum 150cc that is restricted by law! The third strike I am sure will come at the most crucial part of the game and I will be ready! Love McKay