Yea...LOL...Me too...

 

have them all over the place here! Should be Nevada's state animal, "The Tar Snake". Go over them, try not to react and let the bike do it's thing. Scary as hell, but most people eat it on those from trying to react rather then let the bike naturally go over them. At least that's my experience. Doesn't make them any more fun though...

 

I was in Mammoth Lake in CA and their Tar Snakes are actually 8-10 inches wide and several inches deep in some spots. Most Tar Snakes fill little cracks but these seem to fill major expansion joints and pot holes.

These things were everywhere especially in parking lots and they were so wide, soft and deep you could push on them with your finger like a sponge.

When I rode accross them it felt like I had a completely flat front tire and I almost dropped my bike twice.

Crazy!....


.

 

Like most have said, ride through them. And modulate your throttle easily. No sudden power changes.

Ride safe!

 

You really get the best effect from the tar snakes while on a road bicycle in a flat curve in excess of 30 MPH with the narrow tires at 120 PSI while in a pace line with about 4 other bikers drafting, tucked low, with less than a foot of seperation between bikes, hammering away while riding one handed as you are squeezing a drink from your water bottle europro style in the drops.
It's something we learn to live with. Get over it! Faster!

 

I hate the ones that run the direction of the road in big sweepers. They suck.
I have found a firmer seat helps with the dreaded tar snake though. It doesnt get sucked up as far as a softer one.

 

Rolling through the Sierra foothills, you run into BIG tar snakes all the time - and on a hot day they really get your attention in the corners when you're focused on carving a good line. Best way I've found to deal with 'em is to keep my eyes focused way out front, avoid 'em by picking a different line if possible, but most of all keeping a loose grip on the bars and just letting the bike wobble a bit rather than fighting it. The hotter the day, the more wobble you're gonna get, but don't over react and you're fine.

Another big problem up here in the rain is those damn laminated lane arrows and HOV symbols they place conveniently in corners and on-ramps. If I'm not paying attention, those things really amp up the pucker factor!

 

lol. Agreed. I usually look as far ahead as I can and just try and get a feel for where they are, especially the ones you described. I've found you can usually avoid "some" of them but the ones you can't, just relax and unless they are huge!! you will get through them ok. Obviously, I also try and cross them as sharply as I can.

1HarleyGuy1

 

Tar snakes don't seem to be a problem for our rig.



JackL

 

They're bad enough going straight on them let alone turning on one!