This was the first really scary experience I had since I have been riding, which isn't that long.

I took a weekend ride with a couple of friends from my home in Santa Cruz,CA to San Diego.  On the way home today we decided to get off the 101 in Santa Barbara and take the 154, a scenic, kind of twisty road that runs up to Santa Ynez and reconnects to the 101.

We were riding fairly spread out with me in the second position.  Tony, who was leading, pointed to a deer on the side of the road just in front of him.  Just as he passed the deer the deer paniced, but instead of running away from the road, this deer ran straight across the road.  I FREAKED!  Quickly thinking back to my riding class I didn't panic and lockup both brakes, but swerved to the right since he was heading left. I swear I could of spanked him with my left hand as I passed.

We pulled over and I was just about hyperventilating.  I finally calmed down and we got back on the road.  Still feeling kind of wierd and out of my riding rhythm...it took me a good hour to finally settle back in. 

Hopefully I got that out of the way and it doesn't happen again.

Yes we are all happy you are ok.  And just as a reminder to all new and experienced riders...always remember SIPDE!

The acronym is SIPDE or Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.

• Scan
  
  You should constantly be aware of what's in front, to the sides and behind you. I personally scan constantly, first forward then through the mirrors and to each side and back again; scanning my tach & speed as I go. If you don't already scan or you're new to biking; take time to develop a pattern that includes your mirrors, your controls, and the area ahead of you. You should always be on the lookout for potential hazards and escape routes - even when you are stopped for a traffic signal/stop sign. When changing lanes be sure to check your mirrors early and often. When slowing to stop, check your mirrors to ensure that other motorists behind you are aware that you're stopping. One trick that I use to get the attention of motorist behind me is to tap my brake (either front or rear) in a 3-1-3 pattern. Maintain a 10-12 second lead. Meaning that you need looking at where you'll be 10-12 seconds from now.
  
   
• Identify
  
  Identify the situation ahead. Is there a hazard? Would you consider a side street a hazard? Probably not if you're in your car. Car's are "big"; meaning that their easily spotted by someone wanting access to the main road. Motorcycles are nearly invisible and you need to be aware of that when you ride. The same car on the side street will 99% of the time see the oncoming car, the percentage get's much lower with an oncoming motorcycle. Be ready, change lanes if you can, approach with cautious awareness that they may not see you. Are there multiple hazards ahead? Oncoming traffic, canyon road, side streets all pose their own risks scan and plan at all times. What are your escape routes? If you need to "ditch" or "lay it down" where? Options? What presents the least threat to you and your safety? Identify each situation by what represents a threat and what represents an opportunity or escape route. The motorcycle safety foundation recommends separating hazards into three separate and distinct categories.
  
  
  • 1. Other vehicles sharing the road.  
     
  • 2. Pedestrians and animals.  
     
  • 3. Stationary objects.
  
  

  With each category representing a different level of risk and each needs to be addressed by the rider differently.

  
   
• Predict
  
  Learn to anticipate what the hazard is going to do; if it's a deer nature says it's going to get startled. There's a 50/50 chance it will dart in front of you - what's your plan? Once you've formulated a plan (about 0.5sec to do, predict what might happen - I always use the worst case: Of course the deer will dart in front of me - now what? Formulate your escape route; this may be as simple as "I'm going to slow down" or as drastic as "he's crossing the road, I'm going off road." I personally feel that it's best to make my assumptions and plan based on the worse case scenario so that I'm ready for whatever happens.
  
  
   
• Decide
  
  Determine your course of action. Let your presence be known; using the 3-1-3 pattern is one way I make sure that I'm seen. Increase or decrease your speed speed, changing the lane your in or maybe even your direction all together. Combine any or use all three. Some riders put "whistlers" on their bikes, can't be heard by us but it is supposed to keep the deer and other wildlife out of the way. No matter what decision you make, be certain that you've account for your skill/experience level and road conditions.
  
  
   
• Execute
  
  Take action based on what you decided to do. If you can, separate the hazards so you're only dealing with one at a time. Continue scanning and adjust your actions based on the situation. Remember riding a motorcycle is fluid and things might change. Concentrate on the motorcycle and what you can control. Create a larger safety bubble around the motorcycle. Your safety bubble is the amount of space between you and other vehicles sharing the road with you. When following cars or trucks you should have a 4-5 second safety bubble. When in wet or adverse conditions increase this to 7-8 seconds.

Your just lucky it was a deer  Try swerving around these guys.

na good pal, ma mate hit one the other week in the works van ,was a ******* mess , u should have seen the dear , **** took a photo like

*this post was edited by a CycleFish Moderator*