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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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Roadkill1962 wrote:
before you even realize it, you're tooling along at 87 MPH and don't even know it.
 Been there. She was purring like a kitten too I'll bet.
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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frank w wrotepossibly culminating in a cross-country ride from Tennesee to my parents' home near Bakersfield, California.
Frank where close to Bakersfield do your parents live? I am 60 miles North of Bakersfield. If you decide to come out, let me know and I will give you my phone # and I will ride to Bakersfield and we can meet for lunch.
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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If you are riding all by yourself you better ride with your fully battery charged cellular phone and have a cb radio as backup.
Have an extra set of keys in your luggage.
If you were prescription glasses bring an extra pair.
It doesn´t matter in what lane you are riding, always use your mirrors frequently, as the traffic density increases you better scan your mirrors more often.
What will be the best lane? The one that you feel more comfortable riding, the left lane let you be less careful for left side passing traffic since there should be none, in that lane you should ride in the right side of the lane.
Try to avoid riding in the left side of the left lane since you may find debris, avoid riding in the center of all lanes since you may find oil spills produced by cars.
As you get further away from the edge lanes you should be able to find a cleaner lane, less debris.
Be extremely careful while riding through the mountains, the wind can trick you badly once you get out in the open.
This also happens when riding near trucks. They can suck you into their back if wind conditions, speed and proximity to the truck are rite.
The same happens when you are passing on being passed by a truck, the wind that the truck is pushing away from it path with it mass will escape sideways from the truck as a very strong wind.
So basically scan your mirrors as often as you like. Scan is to see what´s in it not stare. You need to know what surrounds you all the time so you may take corrective measures with time, in other words avoid surprises.
Respect rain: if it rains and
If you feel uncomfortable riding you better stop and fast, don’t let anyone intimidate you, riding nervously will limit your ability to think straight and when you have unfriendly weather conditions against you better play it smart.
Try to schedule stops every 50 to 75 miles. Get out of the bike and stretch out a bit, walk a bit and drink some water, the heat created by the engine really dehydrates you little by little.
If you are riding with other bikers these tips still applies but I assure you it’s “fun times # of riders”
Ride together in groups of 4 or 5 bikes, this way you may ride all together in a zig-zag formation and still use the same amount of space as a truck does.
That’s pretty much I can remember at this time.
Happy riding
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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Thanks, RD. I appreciate it! I'm going to print all of this stuff out...
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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6hrtbt3 wrote:
frank w wrotepossibly culminating in a cross-country ride from Tennesee to my parents' home near Bakersfield, California.
Frank where close to Bakersfield do your parents live? I am 60 miles North of Bakersfield. If you decide to come out, let me know and I will give you my phone # and I will ride to Bakersfield and we can meet for lunch.
Howdy!! They live 50 miles east of Bakersfield, in Lake Isabella. If I head out that way, I'm probably going to end up cutting through/around B'town on 99 for 178 through the Kern Canyon, but I'll definitely let you know, if/when this trip begins to take shape. Thanks!
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Last Edit: 2009/02/12 15:50 By Frank_W.
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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kayakguy wrote:
IMO, the biggest danger to bikers on the SuperHighways is the Semi-truck drivers. Some of those guys are a piece of work. You'll be cruising down a highway and see a couple of Semi's in the slow lane ahead. One behind the other. You swing into the left lane to pass. You'll be going 80 and they're doing about 60. The idiot in the rear semi will wait until you're right on top of him and will pull out in front of you, half the time without even signaling. I've had this happen to me numerous times on I-5, I-80, and I-15. My guess is this is common manners for truckers all over the U.S. I came close to locking up my brakes not to long ago. Flipping these guys the bird only gets a grin back. On an interstate, this is the one thing you really have to be aware of.
As an ex trucker I can say this is not common manners for all truckers. Most of the truckers I see that do this kind of thing are local drivers. By local I mean a driver that is home every night or every other night. Local freight haulers come to mind, they are always in a hurry to get their drops made so they can go home. Over the road/Interstate drivers are more kick back and cruisin kind a guys. I know because I have driven in both worlds.
I view the left lane as the passing lane/hammer down lane, the middle lane as the through lane, and the right lane for getting on and off the highway and slower traffic. On the bike or the cage I stay in the middle lane predominately, the left lane for passing others, and I am never in the right lane unless exiting or entering the highway. Too much traffic in the right lane impedes traffic entering and exiting. On the bike in the middle lane I stay just to the left or right of center in that lane depending on traffic around me. I try to stay off the "Backbone" middle of a lane because that is where oil and other residue will be. You will also be more likely to pick up junk in your tires, like nails or screws because it will collect to the center of a lane. Try to stay on the tires path of the cages.
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Last Edit: 2009/04/08 00:59 By Road_Hawg.
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Re:Highways and Long Distance Riding 3 Years, 3 Months ago
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I've put a ton of miles on the interstates. Not bragging , just have. First thing I'd say is Don't get on 'em if they scare you. Frank , somehow I don't think that applies to you. Second , make sure the bike is up to snuff. 5,000 mile trip on well worn tire is just asking for drama that could be avoided.
Also , dress right. Watch the news in the area you are headed to , dress for that. Left Atlanta once , headed for Michigan , wearing what felt like way to much gear. I'd watched the news , and things weren't peachy up there. Bonus points for me. But , too many times I've ridden thinking I'd just "tough it out" , and I had to , and it stunk!
Think safety! Even if you are not a helmet user , once on the super slab , it's kind of like getting in the ocean , you are no longer at the top of the food chain. Wear a good helmet , even if it's not your thing.
Find a safe pace YOU are comfortable with. That don't mean ride 50 MPH , but if speed(ing) doesn't work for you , move at the slowest safe pace traffic is. Many of you will think this is an exaggeration , but a "slow" Atlanta pace is 70-75 MPH. Nothing to do 85-90 and be in the flow of traffic.
Take enough tools to work yourself out of easy fixes. You know when you're over your head , that's what the cell phone is for. Alert your Credit card company of your plans......as they WILL turn your card off.....want to know how I know.....
You could always think of something more could do/carry. But don't go overboard. Save room for a tee-shirt or two , you'll be glad you did.
Most of all , have a great ride. When you get in the Atlanta area , holler at me , I'll pretend I'm busy , then 'break' those plans and grab supper with you.  BB |
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Favoured: 0
Thanks for the speed reminder, too!
