Arrested for Speeding

For those who are interested, the breakfast run was a cock-up!
It started great, we rode in relaxed manner from the meeting point to the on-ramp onto the high way. Even then it was a relaxed pace. there were some cars that prevented us from passing, so we were pretty much chilled. then over the one hill we found the highway open. not a single car in sight. so what is a man on a super-bike supposed to do?
I tapped back 2 notches on the gears,opened the throttle and tore along the dotted line. we let ripped…. you know just to see what these babies can do. OK so actually we know what they can do, but we had to re-confirm all of this. Chest flat on the tank, with only the tip of my helmet showing above the tinted single bubble screen. All I could hear was the wind and the beautiful high pitched music coming from the engine, and the resonating exhaust in tune with one of the other riders. Never have I seen the high way in such a beautiful state. Not a car in sight, not a breeze in the air, and warm tarmac. What more can a man ask for? I then decided to slow down a little. There was a blind rise coming up and I don’t trust those. on the left there was a broken down fire truck, that seemed to have lost a wheel. I wonder what that was all about. I took the corner (or actually it more of a bend than a corner) at about 140km/h and then there was a another beautiful open stretch in front of me. I opened up again, and listened to the amazing love speech the machine underneath me was shouting in my ears. Just ahead was another blind rise, so I tapped off the throttle, geared back and brake a little, then had to hit the anchors in full might! 2 Metro Police cars blocked the highway with sirens flashing. I wonder what was up with that. At 1st I though it was a standard roadblock, just checking if we have our licenses with us etc… Then it hit me. We went over a bridge, with plenty of space for a camera man to hide. Was this the case? They ordered us to pull over, so we did. I mean there really is no point in trying to avoid them. The officer asked me very nicely to get of my bike and switch it of, which of course I did without protesting at all. I knew… I’m in deep shit now. The morning was just to perfect. Something was bound to go wrong. Well at least I was not going that fast I though. I mean… I hope.. After all, on a sportbike you have very little sense of what speed you are riding! I wondered at that point if it was possible that I maybe did go over the normal spectrum of traffic fines. On this highway, as in most of South Africa, they will only fine you up until 179 k/h. Any thing over that, it is immediate arrest. The kind officer put his hand on my shoulder then I kind of relaxed. I think he going to give me a very stern warning then let us go. Well mostly that was true. He did let the others go…. but damn… to me he said…

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in the court of law.
You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, the state will provide you with one
etc, etc, etc
At that stage I froze cold. This kinda sounds like a line in a movie I have seen. Are these guys for real? It was real, and reality hit me hard at that point. I was under arrest. This shit just got real. Forget about the musical sound of a bike screaming under you with joy as you enjoy a beautiful part of road with no cars on it. Only bikers, and none of them staying even close to the posted 120 km/h

The one officer (and I shall not name him) then came up to me, and told me that he is going to ride my bike back to the police station, and I need to get into the van. He then asked me if it will be necessary to be cuffed. Of course not. What am I going to do between 6 cops armed with guns? So I climbed into the police van and then the shock suddenly screamed to me that it is time for a cigarette! I need to smoke. But damn, I left my lighter at home. You know this is the worst feeling ever. You really really need to smoke, you have the cigarettes, but nothing to light it with!!!
The cop that took me in smoked as well, so he offered me his lighter. I’m sooo stressed and in deep in though I tucked the lighter into my pocket. I suppose this was his only lighter as well, since when he realized I still had his lighter he made his point about getting it back… in a joking, light hearted manner that is.

So when I got to the police station I was greeted by the sight of another 2 guys with their girlfriends and dressed all in biker gear. We smiled at each other, then sighed, shaking our heads. 1st question one of the other bikers asked me was… how fast, with a grin on his face! Trust bikers to fish for info like that in a time like this. Lucky we got bail without asking for it. They said they are not going to luck us up, but we have to pay R500 bail to be released. (this is because we behaved so good, and did not give them any shit like most guys do!) If we cannot pay, we will be held in jail until the court date. Shit. I have just over 70 bucks with me. The idea was ride to the dam, eat a nice big breakfast then ride back. I really did not budget for bail as part of my Sunday morning breakfast run. That will be very pessimistic of me if I did, and for those that know me, I’m one of the biggest Optimists that exists! (remember how I though it was just a normal roadblock, or that the cop is going to give me a stern warning then let me go?) While I sat there, feeling sorry for the predicament I’m in, a few other bikers arrived in the police van as well, with the cops that rides the bikes behind the bikes. Now these cops told me that they did not ride the bikes hard, but I have an eyewitness that saw them ride the living shit out of those bikes. Well I’m not sure about the other bikes, but I know the cop that rode mine opened her up good. Who could blame him, with a bike that just invites or begs you to open the throttle… no wait, it’s a cop! get your filthy hands of my baby! I do not have a girlfriend, so my bike is next in line. And that cop violated her! I am the only one with the right to ride her like that!!!!!
Back at the station we all met upstairs. All 7 of us. We joked, and cussed the situation etc just to break the tension. At least we made some good friends.I called my sister who then brought me some bail money. If it wasn’t for all the shit that goes with this episode, I would have almost called this good times! Think about it! Its a bunch of people with a interest that they all have in common. No wait, interest is the wrong word. Passion is more like it. And all of in a single place. You are bound to make friends that way!

We appeared in court, but that is another story for a next time. The hearing will be in mid April, so I will keep ya all posted!

Just as a note. Yes I enjoy riding fast in both my car as well as my bike, but with what happened on Sunday…. It did put a damper on my throttle hand. Even if the road is clear with no cars or wind to interfere, to go though all of this shit again is simply not worth it!!! If you feel the need for speed, feel free to contact me. I have a friend with a racebike rental company where you can ride the tits off a bike around a track. I promise you this, there aint going to be any Metro Cops pulling up road blocks just after a blind rise to catch guys doing over 180!!!!

The cop also promised to email us the pictures from the trap in full colour. We can frame it, and keep it as a reminder as to what shit you have to go through when you speed! Will post that when I have it!

Be Safe, Ride Safe, and take care!

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