playing chicken

[trykemike]

A few weeks ago I was riding back from the lake. The highway is a 2 lane 50 mph road. Traffic usually runs at 55 - 60 mph. No problem for the GZ . This road is heavily used by gravel trucks some pulling trailers. The trucks usually run at 60-65 mph. There are several hills along the route. On 1 long hill I encounterd a gravel truck pulling an empty trailer. I was doing 55 mph and as the truck pulled onto the highway from the on ramp he cut in front of me I braked to avoid being hit. Later along the route we encountered a long hill with 2 lanes on the up-side. I decided to pass this same truck. He picked up speed and as I approached in excess of 75 mph and the half-way mark of his trailer he decided that he had enough of me and signaled that he was pulling into my lane. I could see these big tires coming at me I was forced to straddle the yellow line as an oncoming transport approached, I was able to fade back in behind the gravel truck at the last second. The lesson that I learned is not to play the ego with something bigger than you and if you are already exceeding the posted speed limit there is no reason to pass.