Bikes Down
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 15
From:
I am familiar with this section of I-5. It's easy to understand why traffic may have slowed suddenly if you've ever driven it. Especially on a Friday afternoon at about 1500 hours.
I'm not ******* the riders. Just saying heavy traffic in that area.
I'm not ******* the riders. Just saying heavy traffic in that area.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Ditto..... This is one of the worst stretch of hiways around and claims victims consistently. There is a much safer and far more rider friendly route than I-5, through that area. Sucks to see this happen!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,721
Likes: 372
From: Tonopah Az
I ride with two groups, The American Legion Riders and the local H.O.G. Chapter and as a rider that has only been riding for 1 year I can see how something like this could happen. You keep your 1 second 2 second rule going but at 70 mph+ that 1 or 2 second gets used up real fast. Hope those bros. heal fast.
Last edited by santajim; Sep 20, 2009 at 07:10 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: U.S.S.A.
I ride and drive a lot on interstates and I see this rubberband effect often -- after a slowdown (rubbernecking is a perfect example), everyone goes quickly back up to speed (the stretch), but the volume of traffic can't support that many cars going that fast, so you get a bunch up with panic-braking (the contraction), which leads to another stretch out. I can't tell you how often I see this and many times, on perfectly clear sunny days, cars are literally driving off into the shoulder or grassy median to avoid colliding with other cars. It's insane. Too many people, too impatient.
Always remember to take a long, LONG view of the road and keep an eye on the vehicle in front of you as well as all of the vehicles in front of it. If your view is blocked, consider dropping your group back.
Also watch out for people with cruise-control on in heavy traffic -- they'll slide right up to someone's bumper before hitting the brake to disengage the cruise. My wife used to do this and it drove me crazy.
Always remember to take a long, LONG view of the road and keep an eye on the vehicle in front of you as well as all of the vehicles in front of it. If your view is blocked, consider dropping your group back.
Also watch out for people with cruise-control on in heavy traffic -- they'll slide right up to someone's bumper before hitting the brake to disengage the cruise. My wife used to do this and it drove me crazy.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 629
Likes: 3
From: Mission, Texas
I will be praying for them. Sad to see and it's hard to avoid on a busy interstate where you have to keep pace with traffic which eliminates good spacing. We generally try and avoid interstates, but when we do ride interstates, we don't ride in formation through urban areas. We just each take a spot and try to get through to open roads and then hookup again. I also don't ride in formation with anybody I haven't ridden with for a few thousand miles or more with so that I'll know what to expect from them.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 276
Likes: 3
From: Canton, MI.
my guess...
groups in the fast lane, and the suv in front wants to teach them how to drive...just doing the speed limit (or below). so the lead riders get a lil close to the suv suggesting move to center lane. azz clown in suz (nobody makes me move over) slams on the brakes after some drafting by the lead riders...WHAMMM!!!
had it happen to me many times (as i'm sure you have too)...in the hammer lane and the cage in front just won't move over...even tho there is 1/2 mile opening in front and nobody in center. i hate to pass on the right...then when i do, the donkey wants to teach me and starts to get over when i get over...aagh!!!
prayers to those involved...
groups in the fast lane, and the suv in front wants to teach them how to drive...just doing the speed limit (or below). so the lead riders get a lil close to the suv suggesting move to center lane. azz clown in suz (nobody makes me move over) slams on the brakes after some drafting by the lead riders...WHAMMM!!!
had it happen to me many times (as i'm sure you have too)...in the hammer lane and the cage in front just won't move over...even tho there is 1/2 mile opening in front and nobody in center. i hate to pass on the right...then when i do, the donkey wants to teach me and starts to get over when i get over...aagh!!!
prayers to those involved...