Singin' in the Rain - Part II
Nov 08 '01
The Bottom Line Riding wet in the city? Ewwwwwwwwwwww. But a biker's gotta do what a biker's gotta do. Here are some things to watch out for.
OK, for the basics and background, read Part I in Highway Riding.
Now, some extra things to know about riding in town:
We all know that people NOT on a bike just don't pay much attention to us folks on two wheels. Well, when it is raining, they pay even less attention to us.
Once rain hits a town or city, the average person gets grumpy, resentful that he or she is out driving around in the wet, and is focused almost completely on finding a parking space closest to the door of whatever establishment is next on the "to do" list.
Pedestrians are focused on getting across the street in the driest possible manner, covering their heads with umbrellas, purses, newspapers, or whatever - ALL of which prevent them from easily seeing you. And they WILL dart right into the street without checking traffic, because they are looking for the path of fewest puddles and the quickest route to shelter.
Add to this the fact that YOU can't see as well, either.
NOW add to this the fact that YOU have hardly any traction.
It's a great day to stay home in warm fuzzy socks, listen to "Carmina Burana," and read my back-issues of "NASA Tech Briefs." But I gotta go to work.
Once again, the biggie everyone talks about is being wary of the accumulation of oil on the streets which mixes with the rain, resulting in driving conditions similar to black ice.
Additional things to be wary of are:
Painted lines - these guys also are slick like ice.
Speed bumps - not only do they present an abrupt change in terraine, but they are usually painted.
Rumble strips and dots - these are like little gremlins which sit on the road just waiting for motorcycle tires to cross them during lane changes. Try to drive between them.
High crowned roads - (the crown is how the road is curved - sort of like a loaf of bread. It allows water to drain off the surface) not only does a steeply crowned road offer less traction because you are basically riding part way up one side of your tires, but the edges/gutters can be full of water, making it LOOK like you have road there, but it is actually a rapidly flowing stream.
Gutters, drains, and culverts - stay well away from them. In Hilo we have some steep gutters and drains. My Nighthawk is pretty narrow. If I slipped in one of those gutters, not only would I go down, but my bike would fall halfway into the drain. When it is actually raining, the whole gutter is full, so I find the drains by looking for the cross-ripples in the current. I'll walk back a block or two rather than park near one of those things.
Gravel - rain degrades road surfaces, eating away at the asphalt and returning it to its component parts: oil and gravel. Then the rain lays the oil and gravel in a fine layer across the roadway. Then covers it with a fine layer of water so you can't see that it is there. This usually, due to the way tires stress the road, occurs at intersections, where you will be turning on this interesting traction challenge.
Nice things:
I frequent merchants that reserve space for bike parking. One of the mega-chains really upset people in our small town when they first moved in. I felt much better about them when they let us park our motorcycles in the bicycle area by the covered walkway. When you find such a merchant, thank him or her and try to buy your stuff there. Encourage your friends to do the same. BE RESPECTFUL and keep things tidy! When my friends and I eat our snacks on the benches thoughtfully provided next to the bike racks, we not only throw away our own rubbish, we police the area and tidy it up before we leave. We also are very careful to remember that we are to bicycles and mopeds what cars are to us.
My credit union provides hot tea or coffee and cookies while you wait in line. That's really nice to come in to when I've been fighting traffic in the cold and wet. I appreciate my credit union.
My favorite bar lets us ride up the loading ramp and park by the door. No, I don't consume alcohol when I ride. I drink tonic water with a lime twist and dance the night away. Since I am not supporting the bar by purchasing alcohol, I'm quite happy to pay the cover charge and tip the band.
Whether you are a newbie like me, or an old hand, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCourse will brush up your skills and help you to increase your safety margin on the streets - even in the rain.
E nihi ka hele, and remember - Hilo Riders have Bigger Rooster Tails!
Hula Rider
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hularider
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Member: Leilehua Yuen
Location: Hilo, Hawaii, USA
Reviews written: 69
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
HulaRider is an author, artist, and educator who specializes in Hawaiian culture and arts.
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