Author Topic: ROAD HAZARD REMINDER WARNING! (Read 4214 times)

1976cb750f836 · « **on:** October 22, 2019, 06:58:24 AM »

Ever go around a curve on your favorite test loop close to home to find 30 freshly fallen walnuts arranged as an obstacle coarse of little land mines? Here in TN, we had a late fall, leaves and walnuts just now beginning to fall from trees. Happened to me yesterday, first time this year. It was almost 80F , so I decided to go for a short ride.
Just a reminder You all, be safe, don't crash those CBs.
And yes, I made it through ok, no crash!

ekpent · « **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2019, 07:20:03 AM »

I crashed on Oct 30th one time years ago at night after dark when I swooped around a sharp curve I was very familiar with and somebody had raked a ton of wet leaves into the road.

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2019, 07:42:36 AM »

Both examples of why I gave up road riding for road racing on a closed course. No worry of people, leaves, grass, walnuts, etc being in the road and causing a crash.

johans · « **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2019, 07:56:21 AM »

When Nicky Hayden was riding for Ducati the factory gave him a brand new bike which he flatly refused to ride on the streets stating that it was too dangerous and he let his friends ride it instead . Fast fwd. to Italy when he was killed riding a bicycle . You never know when and where . Just enjoy life and ride when ever and where ever you like , Like Keith Code said in " A Twist of The Wrist " if you are not willing to commit 100% of your attention to riding , sit it out that day.
Riding here on Long Island there are some of the worst drivers in the country and after 40 years of riding on the streets it has made me a better and more cautious rider ( and driver ) . BTW , i was almost killed on a bicycle in 85' and spent 2 weeks in the hospital . You never know...

RIP #69

Ace Blackwell · « **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2019, 08:35:02 AM »

I had a similar experience years ago. Riding on a back road I was used to. Was heading around a tight curve. When I got half way through the curve I seen that a car had started into it from other direction. It wasn’t a panic situation. Both were going slow enough to react. I edge to the outside of the curve. Unfortunately there was wet gravelly sand along the less driven side of the lane. The bike started to slide given that I was leaning into the curve. Funny what pops in you mind at a time like that. I remember thinking Damn these are new jeans. I guess I realized I wasn’t going fast enough to die but it was going to mess some stuff up on both me and the bike. But God was with me that day. As I slid out out the sand, I hit dry ground and the bike pulled it self up right and away we went. Shaking and rubber legged but safe. No harm no foul. Like has been said here. You just never know what’s going to happen.

Kelly E · « **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2019, 08:40:05 AM »

Quote from: slikwilli420 on October 22, 2019, 07:42:36 AM

Both examples of why I gave up road riding for road racing on a closed course. No worry of people, leaves, grass, walnuts, etc being in the road and causing a crash.

You can't see the country while riding in circles in hyperdrive. There are too many cool places to ride to be stuck in closed loop.

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2019, 08:56:06 AM »

Quote from: Kelly E on October 22, 2019, 08:40:05 AM

Quote from: slikwilli420 on October 22, 2019, 07:42:36 AM
Both examples of why I gave up road riding for road racing on a closed course. No worry of people, leaves, grass, walnuts, etc being in the road and causing a crash.

You can't see the country while riding in circles in hyperdrive. There are too many cool places to ride to be stuck in closed loop.

I can actually see more from my car as I do not need to be hyper-aware of what is in the road to the extent that I need to be on a bike. Things that would cause a crash on a bike I can drive over in a car with not a single worry. Sounds like someone who has never raced. It is a rush that cannot be replicated on the street.

JoeDuc · « **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2019, 11:50:30 AM »

Good fall reminder. I just about took a header while walking (!) the other day from those same walnuts and acorns.

Tracksnblades1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2019, 12:04:45 PM »

In the breadbasket, its safer to avoid the 8:00am traffic and the after 5:00pm traffic especially on four lanes....regardless of your type of transportation....

johans · « **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2019, 12:22:23 PM »

slikwilli420

wow, how many people on this site are track only riders ? .005 % I ride fast and i ride with a bubble around me on some of the most dangerous roads in the country , still here to tell the tale . I guess if your about the 420 , sure ; stay on the track.... just hope your not riding with a Marco Simoncelli or Romano Fenati type, there's danger all around us ooooh , its almost Halloween. be afraid , be very afraid ...

Don R · « **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2019, 12:53:43 PM »

I ride slow compared to many but fast enough to enjoy it. And yet, if I'm not really into it I take the car.

Tracksnblades1 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2019, 01:26:48 PM »

Quote from: johans on October 22, 2019, 12:22:23 PM

slikwilli420

wow, how many people on this site are track only riders ? .005 % I ride fast and i ride with a bubble around me on some of the most dangerous roads in the country , still here to tell the tale . I guess if your about the 420 , sure ; stay on the track.... just hope your not riding with a Marco Simoncelli or Romano Fenati type, there's danger all around us ooooh , its almost Halloween. be afraid , be very afraid ...

(Sic)

Literally,

let Marco RIP....

Keith · « **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2019, 06:29:59 PM »

Back in the day, I learned a valuable lesson. ‘76 750 super sport on my favorite back road doing about 70. Came into a sharp bender where I always touched the foot peg. This time it had rained heavily the night before and the road was covered in sand or dirt. I countersteered through the corner sliding. I remember thinking don’t let off.. don’t let off!! I got through the corner, pulled over and stopped until the Adrenalin wore off! Now I ride through the road first looking for problems, then ride a bit more spirited on the return trip. Good think I had ridden dirt bikes and knew how to counter steer!

slikwilli420 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2019, 07:06:41 PM »

Not missing the point at all guys. Not telling anyone not to street ride. I personally find the risk too great at this time. I supplement the love of riding by hitting the track. Danger is everywhere but I like the more controlled environment of a track. Everyone be safe out there.

jgger · « **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2019, 09:26:08 PM »

When I raced District 37 it used to scare the crap out of me to go to a popular "play riding" area. You never knew what direction some smack would be comming from at full speed. At least in the Desert races ALL of us smacks were going in the same direction!

As for street riding, it's a whole different mindset and almost like those old "play riding" areas but with cars.

PeWe · « **Reply #15 on:** October 23, 2019, 03:17:33 AM »

I hope I can have a ride on my blue K6 after work today. I must know if the last carb jetting is OK. Up to 5000 rpm on 5:th gear is enough. But I guess I'll reach 8000 on the gears before.

The days are shorter now and we can get some animals on the roads like deer and moose stressed by hunters and their dogs.
I do not trust the roads for racing style riding in corners, especially not now.
No rain is a mandatory condition for the ride.

my name is nobody · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2019, 05:52:53 AM »

Three years ago, a lady backed out of a driveway in front me. I stopped in time, she didn't. About a two
mph hit. ended up me laying on the road trapped between the back of a chevy suburban and my bike,
with gasoline leaking out the tank vent. Luckily a neighbor nearby heard the skid/thump, and ran out
and pulled the bike up to free me. Minor damage to the bike, and me with both ankles banged up.
Walking hurt for several days after. I was lucky. She was hysterical. She kept crying, repeating, "I didn't see him"...I believe her. Since that time, every side street I pass spooks me a little, and sometimes I brake and prepare to swerve, especially if somebody races to an intersection and stops late. It's taken some of the enjoyment from the ride. Maybe I'm getting old and overly cautious. You never know
how people are going to act. Things have changed from the old days. More cars now, and drivers who
think they have the right of way, regardless. just my thoughts..Freshly cut grass blown on the pavement
is one to watch for here in the rural areas, in the summer months. Be careful out the there guys.

Tracksnblades1 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 23, 2019, 06:23:47 AM »

Quote from: my name is nobody on October 23, 2019, 05:52:53 AM

Three years ago, a lady backed out of a driveway in front me. I stopped in time, she didn't. About a two
mph hit. ended up me laying on the road trapped between the back of a chevy suburban and my bike,
with gasoline leaking out the tank vent. Luckily a neighbor nearby heard the skid/thump, and ran out
and pulled the bike up to free me. Minor damage to the bike, and me with both ankles banged up.
Walking hurt for several days after. I was lucky. She was hysterical. She kept crying, repeating, "I didn't see him"...I believe her. Since that time, every side street I pass spooks me a little, and sometimes I brake and prepare to swerve, especially if somebody races to an intersection and stops late. It's taken some of the enjoyment from the ride. Maybe I'm getting old and overly cautious. You never know
how people are going to act. Things have changed from the old days. More cars now, and drivers who
think they have the right of way, regardless. just my thoughts..Freshly cut grass blown on the pavement
is one to watch for here in the rural areas, in the summer months. Be careful out the there guys.

Sounds somewhat familiar...

Illinois 415 ILCS 105 Litter Control Act Makes it illegal to "blow grass on the roadways".

Smaller municipalities still do. Worse is those with yard waste disposal areas. Tree limbs, firewood grass clippings and leaves litter the street to and from them.

Rural areas have lost hay bales, mud, grain spills, and gravel on highways near intersecting roads fields etc.

Old Motorcyclists tend to be better alert drivers...😇 After all they survived.....😇

Prospect · « **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2019, 06:24:08 AM »

I'm in my 26th year of riding and can honestly say that I've never crashed or dropped the bike. Not even close. When I was 16 I owned a cbr600 and rode it at high speeds but mostly on straightaways. Going fast didn't give me an adrenaline rush. I soon sold it and got into vintage bikes and ride to enjoy the feeling of a 50 year old machine that I've brought back from the dead.

Perhaps I'm lucky or cautious. I always ride like I'm invisible to the drivers and try to see two seconds ahead. My biggest fear is a big accident in front of me that I won't be able to avoid and getting pinned.

Having said that, I don't think I'll let my son ride street when he is old enough.

1976cb750f836 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 23, 2019, 06:53:11 AM »

Being aware, and decent reflexes, has saved my butt many a time, just like the walnuts! I live in rural east TN. Black top county roads. Their is a mix of everything on the roads. Trash, grass,leaves, nuts,dead animinals, live animinals, wet spots, oil spots,drunk drivers, texting drivers, and more. The ONLY place I feel safe opening it up, is on a couple half mile straights, with great viability. Most of my riding is done at the speed limit (45) +or- 5mph. Never drive faster than you can see! Blind curves mean slow down!
Like mentioned easier, Ride the loop looking for trouble, then on way back, open it up a little!

Ace Blackwell · « **Reply #20 on:** October 23, 2019, 07:01:20 AM »

I’ve laid the bike down once. Was in a parking lot when I lady pulled out in front of me. Looking back, if Had had been more experienced, I probably could have avoided that one. I’d only had the bike a month or so. I’ve also had a few close calls where the bike was going down but pulled out. One of those with a blown rear tire.

I guess if I had any words of wisdom to offer to newer riders, ALWAYS make sure the kickstand is up before taking off. That one has scared the hell out of me more than once. Two, no matter how natural/instinctual it may seem, never put your foot down to stabilize yourself like with a bicycle. LOL that one also took few times before it sank in.

As for kids riding. As I hit milestones with getting my bike running again, I often share with my boys. They always come back with "Hey cool Dad. When you get it running we can go riding. I've been looking at a bike too." Wasn't a big deal when it didn't seem the bike would ever be mobile again. Now that I've got it running some what and the end if starting to seem achievable. I'm starting to think sharing with them wasn't such a good idea.

Kevin D · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2019, 07:17:27 AM »

I watch for and dodge any debris in the road, but occasionally I hear and feel something snap out from under a tire.... and then I'm waiting for a tire to decompress and the wobbling that follows, but luckily I'm guessing it's only an acorn or a stone that I didn't spot. My last flat was a drywall screw so I'm always looking for debris in the road and just yesterday I picked up (with my hand not my tire) a 2" screw in a busy parking lot.
I try not to imagine getting impaled at speed by any flying road junk, and I'm always wearing a face shield.

TurtleSnifferII · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2019, 11:24:23 AM »

Live animals are danger to riders in my area. One night I took the bike out for a spin. I hill live in a hilly area with lots of trees and bushes. Coming home I was braking down a steep hill toward a stop sign when a giant rat came out from the bushes. It came out and took its sweet time crossing the road and ended up hitting it. Coming downhill there wasnt much I could do but keep the tires straight and take it. The bike literally bounced up a good 4 or inches after hitting it and the rat just kept on walking to other side of the road. Its amazing how tough they especially after getting run over with both tires.

Veloman518 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 23, 2019, 11:46:00 AM »

Funny that people keep mentioning bicycle safety. I actually came from the bicycle world to motorcycles late. I attribute 10s of thousands of road miles on a bicycle to my awareness and balance on a motorcycle. And my safety gear on a bicycle was a helmet, gloves and some lycra. I just always assumed anyone not sitting on my bicycle was there specifically to kill me and I just kept that mindset on my motorcycles

1976cb750f836 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 23, 2019, 01:54:12 PM »

Great safety idea, pretend e anyone else is out to kill you. Lol.

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Author Topic: ROAD HAZARD REMINDER WARNING! (Read 4214 times)