Tar Snakes
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
a real hazard riding in the warmer climes, once the sun warms these, they can be slick as oil...for a moment, then your tires grab and you high side...
I'll email over your warning to Barry at Cyclerides
Mike
I'll email over your warning to Barry at Cyclerides
Mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 293
From: Too close, Pa
Several roads around here the same way, I generally try to avoid them especially during the hot days. Tried a new road last year up in the pa mountains that had a heavy canopy of pine trees above, that was by far the worst road I was ever on don't think it ever dries off and actually felt slippery regardless of what lane you tried. And the op is right as little as a 1" slide and everything just tenses.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 168
From: WPB, FL
What Was That?
1st time I hit a tar snake was coming off the NJ Parkway (long curved exit). The wife calmly asked "what was that?". I calmly replied "tar strip, no biggie". One of those WTF dumbass moments! 5 minutes from home and I wasn't paying enough attention. That'll wake you up really fast!
Novice
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Harpers Ferry, WV
Well that just sucks! I was out in Phoenix a few years ago on business and had a long weekend to kill so I rented a Road King and headed off north. Found myself in Prescott (learned it's pronounced "Preskitt") and had the fortune to stumble across 89 going to Jerome. Had such a fun time on that road that when I got to Jerome I turned around, rode back to Prescott and then back to Jerome again. It is (was?) a fantastic road that has stayed in my mind many years later. Would hate to think it is now a snake pit!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Over time the tar picks up dirt, sand and other grit and becomes less slippery. But BE CAREFUL after a hard rain! One of the roads I ride all the time has lots of curves with tar snakes. They had lost their slickness and I had increased my speed on those curves. After the outskirts of Hurricane Sandy came through, they were washed clean and were slick again. So beware after a rain.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
They do settle in after a while. Once the surface becomes dirty they give you a little better grip.
Does the road repair people even understand the life and death danger they create with these things, or maybe the question should be do they even care? It reminds me of oil that collects at stopping points along the road, but at least your going fairly slow then.
EDIT: Kirk looks like we had about the same info at the same time. I see you posted just a minute before me. AND riding the roads just after a rain makes me think of early spring rides where the frosted roads stay slick as ice in the shadows.
Does the road repair people even understand the life and death danger they create with these things, or maybe the question should be do they even care? It reminds me of oil that collects at stopping points along the road, but at least your going fairly slow then.
EDIT: Kirk looks like we had about the same info at the same time. I see you posted just a minute before me. AND riding the roads just after a rain makes me think of early spring rides where the frosted roads stay slick as ice in the shadows.
Last edited by JohnnyC; Apr 25, 2013 at 07:30 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,445
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From: Oklahoma
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Prescott, AZ
Well that just sucks! I was out in Phoenix a few years ago on business and had a long weekend to kill so I rented a Road King and headed off north. Found myself in Prescott (learned it's pronounced "Preskitt") and had the fortune to stumble across 89 going to Jerome. Had such a fun time on that road that when I got to Jerome I turned around, rode back to Prescott and then back to Jerome again. It is (was?) a fantastic road that has stayed in my mind many years later. Would hate to think it is now a snake pit!