Topic: Tips for keeping your organs.

[mennedy]

I was out for a nice evening ride and as I climbed this long curving hill at about 100K/60mph I was passed on the right by a rider on the proverbial crotch rocket. The only problem is that it was like I was standing still - he had to be 60K/40mph over me and I was 20K over the limit. There were 15 - 18 cars in the three lanes and he was weaving in and out all the way up the hill. It came to mind that I have never seen anything on these pages about safety tips or driving technique. I assume you all ride, not just work on the bikes, and your collective experience must be vast. What are your personal "rules" for keeping life and limb in place while of course protecting the bike?

I will start off with my rules for riding:

1. Never ride angry, sick or in a rush. Take the car!

2. Know everything going on around you all of the time. Mirrors and shoulders full time. (I drive a very large bus so this information is crucial and even more so on the bike because things happen faster with a lot less protection.)

3. Handlebars NEVER, EVER leave the lane you are travelling in. While in Wales in August, I was continually meeting riders who were riding the line and leaned over into my lane 2 feet. I never saw them coming most of the time with the tight curves and high speeds. I ride the right side of the hump on left curves and the left side on right curves and give 'er. Handlebars never leave the lane. 

4. Check all four corners and the ramps at intersections and then"Clear" the intersection before you enter it.

5. If oncoming traffic is turning across your lane as you approach an intersection, do not "Clear" until you have made eye contact with the driver. I have seen two cars and one motorcyclist head on in this situation. The cyclist did best but I think that was because he could stop much quicker than the cars.

6. If in doubt, yield. Otherwise, you lose!

7. Assume they will cut you off, especially if they are from Saskatchewan (the next province east of Alberta).

8. You will live to be old and crochity if you leave lots of space between you and the vehicle in front (cars or motorcycles). It took three years of full time driving to discover this single all encompassing truth. The truckers know it. It is because space forgives not only your mistakes but those of all the other drivers around you. If you want lots of forgiveness, leave lots of space. If you don't want forgiveness for your mistakes, snakes on a plane!

That's all I have for now. I'm sure you all have at least one tip you can add so please do so. I can use the advice. Also, I like this site for all the tips he has in it. Throw in any sites you have that you like. 

http://www.msgroup.org/TIPS.ASP

Thanks, Marty.



 

[scunny]

Treat all other road users as homicidal maniacs.

[putnaja1]

Here's what I'd like to add:

1)  Always plan for an escape route:  If you suspect that someone might come into your lane (and you should always presume drivers will be guilty until proven innocent!), have a line planned for where you'll go to be safe.
2)  Stay the heck outta people's blind spots!  If you like to just cruise around being totally oblivious as to where an adjacent car's blind spot is (and whether you're in it or not), you are not being careful!
3)  Position yourself within the lane to be SEEN by other cars/motorists.  Think about this one- I used to ride on the left side of a lane if I suspected a motorist coming from the right might come into my lane- but sometimes I'll stay on the right side, so it's not as inviting for the motorist to come over (there isn't 2/3 of a lane for him to eyeball)
4)  Stay away from roads that are known cluster f**k's..  Where I live, there is a major highway, two lanes each direction, with a shared turning lane in-between.  This same highway runs past a major university, and is always crowded, busy, and packed with pissed off, young hot-head drivers.  I'm scared to drive this highway in an SUV, let alone a motorcycle!  There are other safer roads that get to where I need to go, and I use them.

[SteveD CB500F]

Usual stuff gained over the last 30 years:

1. Look for exhaust smoke from parked cars - they may pull out.

2. Look UNDER parked vehicles for pedestrians feet - they are going to cross in front of you (or at least lean out and take a look)

3. Look for slightly moving wheels on vehicles that are sitting at side junctions.

4. When lane-splitting, always keep an eye in your mirrors coz a crotch rocket will zoom up behind you (let him past)

[ProTeal55]

1. That person waiting to turn in front of you WILL !
2. Be careful of cars that dont have working brakelights.
3. Watch out for cellphone drivers, as they dont have a clue what is going on.
4. I agree with the "ClusterF&*k" streets, stay away from them.
5. Try not to ride during the "I am drunk and need to get home" hours of the night
6. Never be behind a gravel/construction truck if possibile, those rocks hurt !
7. Ride at your own speed, people will go around you if need be.
8. Never pick a fight/road rage while your on your bike, and the other person is in a car.
9. Sidewalks are a great esacpe route if need be (just watch out for kids).
10. Assume the worst, and you will live to ride another day...

My 2cents..............

[Bob Wessner]

On a two lane rural road, when you see a string of oncoming cars backed up behind a lead (slower) car, hug the right side of your lane. It gives the cars backed-up, and contemplating passing, a better chance of seeing you, plus it gives them a better chance of squeezing by if they go ahead anyway. 

This is also a good tip here in Ann Arbor where elitist bicyclists refuse to "share the road" and insist on riding two abreast and not letting cars pass. 

[Gordon]

When stopped at an intersection and you're the last in line, keep the bike in 1st gear, watch your mirrors, and leave an escape route in case the person coming up behind you decides to make you the meat in a car sandwich. 

[crazypj]

On multi lane roads (highway), never travel at same speed as rest of traffic or someone will think there is a space between cars and try to move into it ( loud horn sometimes works, air horns directed sideways sound like a truck, gets some notice )
If it doesnt 'feel' right, it isnt
And, not only everyone else on the road cant drive, but they are activley trying to kill you, stay a moving target
PJ

[upperlake04]

7. Assume they will cut you off, especially if they are from Saskatchewan (the next province east of Alberta).

 thems fightin' words mennedy

[eldar]

No, he just knows canadians!

Bob, when you come up to cyclists doing that crap, you get right behind them and lay on the horn. Technically it is not illegal since they are holding up traffic. So not only do you get away with it but you get a good laugh when one of them craps his spandex!!

[byidesign]

Drive like you are the black sheep
     of the family, on the "Soprano's"
     everyone has a contract out on you.........
            Then your driving will have a
       defensive perspective to it.........
           Trust your instincts,
          if it "feels wrong" it probably is...
                       Bruce

[Bob Wessner]

you get right behind them and lay on the horn.

These are true elitists, they don't even blink. I was fooling with the video camera on some rides last year and captured a typical encounter on tape. You can hear the horn, no indication they had any intention of moving over. What you can't hear on tape was my expletive as I went around them to pass.  

[Magpie]

Keep reading! Good book - "RIDE HARD RIDE SMART" by Pat Hahn published by Motorbooks International, www.motorbooks.com
I good idea, a reminder of a good idea and just common sense can keep us alive.
Cheers,
Cliff.