Ol' Buzzard

I think I learned something new this weekend and it only makes sense to share it. My bro and I were riding on a straight, flat piece of road and I noticed something up ahead by the center line. We were traveling at about 55 to 60 mph so I slowed slightly and moved to the right side of the lane following my bro. As we rode nearer, I recognized the shape of a bird and, what I thought may be a crow, I quickly came to realize was a big-ass buzzard on some roadkill. It watched us approach and my buddy was no more than 20 feet from it when it suddenly took off. These large birds do not take off quickly and it flew to our right, back towards the shoulder of the road, right in front of him. Already driving on the right side of the lane he swerved his bike slightly to the right as he rolled his left shoulder back to try and avoid a collision. The bird hit his left shoulder and flew off as we passed. My buddy drove off into the grassy shoulder, miraculously missing mailboxes and culverts. He nearly went airborne over some uneven ground and held on to regain control and ride safely back onto the pavement.

So what did I learn? If you think you’re going slow enough; go slower. Secondly, I think he’d have been better to put his head down and drive straight through the bird than try to avoid it hitting his body, which caused him to lose his balance. Please add your experience and advice so that the next time we can all be that much more safe. Thanks!