Lane-splitting in the Bay Area
While it is true that California is the only place in the United States where splitting lanes is actually legal doesn’t mean that it is supported by everyone in the state. There has been a great deal of controversy regarding its safety for motorcycle riders and car drivers as well as arguments about whether there are any real benefits to lane splitting. As you will see, legality and rules regarding lane splitting fall into a not so well defined grey area which leaves motorists at an disadvantage.
Actually, the preferred terminology for the sake of correctness is "lane sharing" (a term probably coined by motorcycle activists in order to make this activity sound a bit less intimidating, thanks Roger.) If you weren’t aware, lane sharing can be described as when motorcycles maneuver between cars (usually on the highway) in order to get ahead of traffic. I wish I could say that there were rules regarding lane sharing but it does seem that no such specific rules exist. Refer to this to see just how much of a grey area lane sharing can be. http://law.californiapersonalinjuryattorneys.us/index.php?m=06&y=07&entry=entry070609-151458
Nevertheless, lane sharing is a daily occurrence on the major highways through Oakland and the surrounding communities. For those riders that rely on air cooled systems for their motorcycle, sitting in traffic is not an option and constant movement is necessary for the well being of their vehicle. Also, there is an argument that allowing motorcycles to pass quickly through traffic will help to alleviate some of the traffic congestion. On the other hand, there is a level of frustration shown by car drivers who see motorcyclists getting where they need to be in a much more efficient and timely manner. This causes them to block lanes, open doors, throw objects and otherwise drive erratically. Stories also have been told of car drivers being "spooked" by quickly passing motorcycles which in turn causes them to overcompensate and cause accidents or near accidents. Interestingly enough, a high number of accidents are caused by cars that fail to check to see if the road is clear before changing lanes (without using blinkers as is the annoying custom in the Bay Area..) After the lane sharing motorcyclist has been run over, the common car drivers defense is, "well, he just came out of nowhere!"
Finally, where do we stand in the legal system? If a motorcyclist is pulled over for something done while lane sharing, what defense is available to the rider since the rule book hasnt really been written yet? Has the punishment been left to the whim of a police officer or are we finally going to get someone to propose some well defined guidelines
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
My new article at Examiner.com
Heres my new article on Examiner. They limit me to so many words so I have an opportunity to expand here if i need to.
Oakland Roads Hazardous for Motorcyclists
So if you live in Oakland and ride a motorcycle it would be nearly impossible for you to not have noticed the horrible condition of our roads. As a matter of fact, if you haven’t noticed a problem with condition of our streets, it would be safe to assume that either you don’t ride or don’t care.
You don’t even need to be out riding to notice that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. Chances are that you can step out onto the street in front of your Oakland residence and spot an imperfection, whether it be a pothole, cracks, uneven road, unfinished or poorly executed construction, wavy road, improper drainage, etc. I can’t tell you how many times that I have noticed a "road improvement" being done and weeks or months later at its conclusion, the situation that prompted the construction to begin with may be fixed but usually with new problems left behind. I have even noticed in many locations potholes being filled in and in a matter of weeks the filling comes out and covers the road surface with brand new slippery gravel.
Now if you drive a car, these issues aren’t as much of a concern as they would be for a motorcycle or scooter rider. The worst you could expect would be a flat tire or damage to the undercarriage of your car. For a motorcyclist, the same issues could potentially cause a much more serious problem. A car and motorcycle riding over the same crack in the road could cause two very different outcomes. While the car wouldn’t even notice it, the crack might cause an abrupt change in direction for the motorcycle and potentially a crash.
So I guess the question is that if the road conditions cause a serious hazard for a certain population, wouldn’t we want to fix it? Seems like a cut and dry answer to me. However, the problem remains. Sure, Oakland has its share of more serious problems to deal with but is there reasons why it cant deal with some of the more basic issues? The only answers I can think of is that Oakland cant, Oakland wont or Oakland doesn’t care.
One possible solution is to get out there in force and start smoothing out those potholes ourselves and send the city of Oakland the bill for our services. Another more realistic resolution is to contact our elected officials and inquire about the situation. Here is a link to the officials in your district: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/ElectedOfficials/index.htm Don’t hesitate to send your complaints, that is what they are in office for.
Oakland Roads Hazardous for Motorcyclists
So if you live in Oakland and ride a motorcycle it would be nearly impossible for you to not have noticed the horrible condition of our roads. As a matter of fact, if you haven’t noticed a problem with condition of our streets, it would be safe to assume that either you don’t ride or don’t care.
You don’t even need to be out riding to notice that there is an issue that needs to be addressed. Chances are that you can step out onto the street in front of your Oakland residence and spot an imperfection, whether it be a pothole, cracks, uneven road, unfinished or poorly executed construction, wavy road, improper drainage, etc. I can’t tell you how many times that I have noticed a "road improvement" being done and weeks or months later at its conclusion, the situation that prompted the construction to begin with may be fixed but usually with new problems left behind. I have even noticed in many locations potholes being filled in and in a matter of weeks the filling comes out and covers the road surface with brand new slippery gravel.
Now if you drive a car, these issues aren’t as much of a concern as they would be for a motorcycle or scooter rider. The worst you could expect would be a flat tire or damage to the undercarriage of your car. For a motorcyclist, the same issues could potentially cause a much more serious problem. A car and motorcycle riding over the same crack in the road could cause two very different outcomes. While the car wouldn’t even notice it, the crack might cause an abrupt change in direction for the motorcycle and potentially a crash.
So I guess the question is that if the road conditions cause a serious hazard for a certain population, wouldn’t we want to fix it? Seems like a cut and dry answer to me. However, the problem remains. Sure, Oakland has its share of more serious problems to deal with but is there reasons why it cant deal with some of the more basic issues? The only answers I can think of is that Oakland cant, Oakland wont or Oakland doesn’t care.
One possible solution is to get out there in force and start smoothing out those potholes ourselves and send the city of Oakland the bill for our services. Another more realistic resolution is to contact our elected officials and inquire about the situation. Here is a link to the officials in your district: http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/ElectedOfficials/index.htm Don’t hesitate to send your complaints, that is what they are in office for.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Sorry for the delay...
Sorry for the delay with my suspension post. I have been working on other articles for the Examiner.com since they hired me as a independent contactor. I will be writing motorcycle related articles for the Bay Area. I will continue here at the United Speed Project as soon as possible I will soon post the links for their site and my articles. I hope you take a look.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Atten: Basic Suspension and Setting Sag
My next post will focus on the basic idea of suspension, how it works and why most people dont set sag or even know what it is. If you already know, leave a comment.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The Morning Ride
I woke up at 6:30 a.m., rolled over and saw my riding suit that I had hung on the bedroom door the night before. I then remembered the plan for this morning. I rolled out of bed, stiff and shins hurting from the repeated kicks received from my girlfriend during the night. She denies it of course.
The cats hop off the bed and followed me to the kitchen, watching intently and making an occasional half meow, half whine sound. This routine was expected and I know what they are thinking. "Dad, why does making coffee trump feeding us?" They care nothing for the role coffee plays in our society, they care nothing for my morning ride plans, they don't care about my concerns for early morning road conditions but all of sudden their food concerns are waylaid by the fat squirrel they spy in the backyard. Now my actions in the kitchen are old news while the cats take up position at the window to see what the rodent is up to. Cats...
Household concerns taken care of, I put on my one piece race suit and Alpinestars boots. This was my first time riding in this suit. Usually I would feel that a full race suit on the street is unacceptable behavior but the leather needs to break in somehow before I use it on the track. The night before, I had affixed my GoPro camera to the top of my backup helmet and adjusted it to what I thought was the perfect angle. I grabbed my old, worn in shorty Teknic gloves (which I refuse to replace because you can't buy them anymore) and headed out.
As I went down to my bike, I felt good about the fact that I had serviced it the morning before. Chain clean and lubed, slack adjusted, tire pressure checked, brake dust eliminated, lubed levers and made a few APR changes to the power commander (there were a few flat spots in 2nd gear.) A fired her up, probably woke up some irritated neighbors, stiffened the GPR stabilizer 2 clicks and I was off.
I cruised around the neighborhood for awhile and headed toward Skyline Blvd. in an attempt to warm up my Michelin's before getting down to business. My plan was to hit some local twisties to get myself acclimated and then head down the highway to Castro Valley and gas up at the start of Redwood Rd.
Overall, the ride was good, fun as usual. The roads had more gravel than is typical and were still damp in spots due to the early morning hour. My rear tire slipped out more than once. Traffic was minimal but was of the irritating kind. Slow cars that wouldn't pull over, groups of bicyclists that hogged the road and the occasional loitering pedestrian who seem to think that the center of the road is an acceptable place to stroll.
Later at home I reviewed the video, the main purpose for this morning ride. Turns out that the angle it was set at was slightly too low and the the camera itself was far too high on top of my helmet. The result was content that showed the front of my bike from my hands forward and about 20 feet of road in front of the bike... for 53 minutes. At that angle its hard to discern between sweeping turns and straight aways as well as not being able to tell at what lean angle I achieved or if there was any vertical movement.
Since watching this video causes almost instant motion sickness, I wont post it here. I guess I'll have to go on another ride to try and get it right. Geez... what a hard life I have.
The cats hop off the bed and followed me to the kitchen, watching intently and making an occasional half meow, half whine sound. This routine was expected and I know what they are thinking. "Dad, why does making coffee trump feeding us?" They care nothing for the role coffee plays in our society, they care nothing for my morning ride plans, they don't care about my concerns for early morning road conditions but all of sudden their food concerns are waylaid by the fat squirrel they spy in the backyard. Now my actions in the kitchen are old news while the cats take up position at the window to see what the rodent is up to. Cats...
Household concerns taken care of, I put on my one piece race suit and Alpinestars boots. This was my first time riding in this suit. Usually I would feel that a full race suit on the street is unacceptable behavior but the leather needs to break in somehow before I use it on the track. The night before, I had affixed my GoPro camera to the top of my backup helmet and adjusted it to what I thought was the perfect angle. I grabbed my old, worn in shorty Teknic gloves (which I refuse to replace because you can't buy them anymore) and headed out.
As I went down to my bike, I felt good about the fact that I had serviced it the morning before. Chain clean and lubed, slack adjusted, tire pressure checked, brake dust eliminated, lubed levers and made a few APR changes to the power commander (there were a few flat spots in 2nd gear.) A fired her up, probably woke up some irritated neighbors, stiffened the GPR stabilizer 2 clicks and I was off.
I cruised around the neighborhood for awhile and headed toward Skyline Blvd. in an attempt to warm up my Michelin's before getting down to business. My plan was to hit some local twisties to get myself acclimated and then head down the highway to Castro Valley and gas up at the start of Redwood Rd.
Overall, the ride was good, fun as usual. The roads had more gravel than is typical and were still damp in spots due to the early morning hour. My rear tire slipped out more than once. Traffic was minimal but was of the irritating kind. Slow cars that wouldn't pull over, groups of bicyclists that hogged the road and the occasional loitering pedestrian who seem to think that the center of the road is an acceptable place to stroll.
Later at home I reviewed the video, the main purpose for this morning ride. Turns out that the angle it was set at was slightly too low and the the camera itself was far too high on top of my helmet. The result was content that showed the front of my bike from my hands forward and about 20 feet of road in front of the bike... for 53 minutes. At that angle its hard to discern between sweeping turns and straight aways as well as not being able to tell at what lean angle I achieved or if there was any vertical movement.
Since watching this video causes almost instant motion sickness, I wont post it here. I guess I'll have to go on another ride to try and get it right. Geez... what a hard life I have.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
A Little Something Technical -TIRES- Part 2
So now that some of the basics are out of the way, lets discuss something a bit more interesting and relevant to riders who just want to get down to the point. What are the best tires for my bike and why? I will have to generalize here since there are obviously numerous tires to choose from and endless models and styles of bikes. First, there are a few questions that you may want to ask yourself before taking the plunge and getting new tires.
1) What type of bike are you riding? If your bike is more suited to touring or commuting you may want to choose tires that will hold up to those long miles and heavy loads. If it is suited to speed and handling you may want to consider something with dual compound construction.
2) Where do you most commonly ride? Carving up the canyons and going straight down the highway both require the right kind of tires for ideal conditions. Don't get me wrong, commuting 70 miles a day on sportbike tires can be done but you will wear through those tires quickly. Conversely, hitting the twisties with touring tires is fine but don't expect to be able to execute perfect lean angles and do any knee dragging.
3) What are others using? Ask around, take a look, go to a forum, do what you need to do to see what tires are popular and what people are using. Chances are that if you see the same brand of tire on the same style of bikes, there is a reason. Also, popular magazines and websites often do tire reviews that are very helpful and informative.
In my personal opinion, stock tires are fine but you will need to upgrade in order to get the most out of your motorcycle.
1) What type of bike are you riding? If your bike is more suited to touring or commuting you may want to choose tires that will hold up to those long miles and heavy loads. If it is suited to speed and handling you may want to consider something with dual compound construction.
2) Where do you most commonly ride? Carving up the canyons and going straight down the highway both require the right kind of tires for ideal conditions. Don't get me wrong, commuting 70 miles a day on sportbike tires can be done but you will wear through those tires quickly. Conversely, hitting the twisties with touring tires is fine but don't expect to be able to execute perfect lean angles and do any knee dragging.
3) What are others using? Ask around, take a look, go to a forum, do what you need to do to see what tires are popular and what people are using. Chances are that if you see the same brand of tire on the same style of bikes, there is a reason. Also, popular magazines and websites often do tire reviews that are very helpful and informative.
In my personal opinion, stock tires are fine but you will need to upgrade in order to get the most out of your motorcycle.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
A Little Something Technical -TIRES- part 1
So I guess its time to talk a little about something a bit more technical. This is something that I'm sure we can never really come to any solid conclusion because so many people have so many different preferences.
Tires Tires Tires.
So what do we know about tires? What facts cannot be refuted? So heres my list as I see it:
1) Different tires are for different bikes just as different tread patterns are for different styles of riding.
2) There are 3 different main styles of tires. Biased ply tires, belted bias ply tires and radial tires. For our purposes here, we can just say that radial tires are the best style available and you will find them on all modern sportbikes.
3) All tires have markings. Brand, direction arrow, colored dots to mark the heaviest spot on the tire (should be lined up with valve stem) and a series of numbers and letters that give valuable information. For example, 180/55ZR-17. 180 is tread width in millimeters. 55 is 55%, meaning that the height of the tire is 55% of the tread width. In this case 55% of 180 mm. ZR is a speed rating and 17 is the rim diameter. There are also some tires with standard number indications in inches, instead of metric.
4) You should always fill your tires with the psi recommended by your bikes manufacturer, not by what it says on the tire. Check your tire pressure frequently.
5) Find the wear indicators in the tread of your tires. They are there for a reason, to keep you safe and keep you bike handling as it should.
6) Finally, you can tell what type of rider a person is by checking out their rear tire. A flattened center or profiled tire means that they do quite a bit of highway, straight line riding. Unused tire edges might indicate an newer rider or possibly someone who doesn't hit the twisties too often. Evenly rounded tires without chicken strips possibly shows an experienced, aggressive rider who enjoys all types of riding.
The next post is part 2 : Brand review and tread preference.
Tires Tires Tires.
So what do we know about tires? What facts cannot be refuted? So heres my list as I see it:
1) Different tires are for different bikes just as different tread patterns are for different styles of riding.
2) There are 3 different main styles of tires. Biased ply tires, belted bias ply tires and radial tires. For our purposes here, we can just say that radial tires are the best style available and you will find them on all modern sportbikes.
3) All tires have markings. Brand, direction arrow, colored dots to mark the heaviest spot on the tire (should be lined up with valve stem) and a series of numbers and letters that give valuable information. For example, 180/55ZR-17. 180 is tread width in millimeters. 55 is 55%, meaning that the height of the tire is 55% of the tread width. In this case 55% of 180 mm. ZR is a speed rating and 17 is the rim diameter. There are also some tires with standard number indications in inches, instead of metric.
4) You should always fill your tires with the psi recommended by your bikes manufacturer, not by what it says on the tire. Check your tire pressure frequently.
5) Find the wear indicators in the tread of your tires. They are there for a reason, to keep you safe and keep you bike handling as it should.
6) Finally, you can tell what type of rider a person is by checking out their rear tire. A flattened center or profiled tire means that they do quite a bit of highway, straight line riding. Unused tire edges might indicate an newer rider or possibly someone who doesn't hit the twisties too often. Evenly rounded tires without chicken strips possibly shows an experienced, aggressive rider who enjoys all types of riding.
The next post is part 2 : Brand review and tread preference.
BARF -Bay Area Riders Forum-
For riders in the bay area, check out http://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/ . A very useful site for all riders living in california or those wanting to visit to check out the sweet rides out here.
Thanks Mario J from the R6 Forum for reminding me of this useful resource.
Thanks Mario J from the R6 Forum for reminding me of this useful resource.
Attention Out Of State Riders!
Ok, we all know that California is a superior place for motorcyclists to do their thing. We can ride year round, we offer endless mazes, twists, turns and straightaways to challenge the most seasoned riders and we also offer some of the greatest landscape for off-road dirtbikes and quads. There are also numerous professional tracks and riding schools to utilize in order to go all out and improve your skills. But what about the other 49 states and the rest of the world???
If you live or have lived in a location besides California and have experienced some awesome riding that you want to talk about, send it to me. If you have pictures or video, even better. I would love to post it and give you credit.
Remember, this isn't limited to the United States. If you are in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia or on a snowmobile in Antarctica and have something to say, pass it along!
If you live or have lived in a location besides California and have experienced some awesome riding that you want to talk about, send it to me. If you have pictures or video, even better. I would love to post it and give you credit.
Remember, this isn't limited to the United States. If you are in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia or on a snowmobile in Antarctica and have something to say, pass it along!
Chance to participate in bay area group rides
Motorcycle researchers required! I will be testing various rides in the bay area and writing up my impressions (similar to the Redwood Rd and ride a few posts ago) and then posting them on this blog. If anyone wants to join me and express their ideas in a few sentences (likes, dislikes, etc,) I will add them to my blog and give credit where credit is due.
I've had riders out with me for this exact reason in previous sessions and it has worked out quite well. We discuss the route before hand and cover all the details. We will have a designated stopping point to talk about how bitchin' that ride was, how lame it was or to stop and laugh at the bicyclists we scared the shit out of when passing them at 90 mph!
If you're interested, respond to this post or email me. michaelgonnelli@gmail.com
I've had riders out with me for this exact reason in previous sessions and it has worked out quite well. We discuss the route before hand and cover all the details. We will have a designated stopping point to talk about how bitchin' that ride was, how lame it was or to stop and laugh at the bicyclists we scared the shit out of when passing them at 90 mph!
If you're interested, respond to this post or email me. michaelgonnelli@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Check out the R6 Forum
The R6 forum is one of the best sites out there for motorcycle info. It focuses primarily on Yamaha R6/R6S but the people who participate are some of the best caliber riders I've ever met. They are always full of interesting comments and are knowledgeable about most motorcycle related topics.
http://www.r6-forum.com/
http://www.r6-forum.com/
Lane Splitting
As far as I know, lane splitting is only legal in California although I'm sure it is done to some extent in all states. Of all the riders I know, most do it and don't think twice about the safety issues. I do it myself... sometimes to a reckless degree. I've heard all kinds of stories of lane splitting from both sides of the issue (cagers and motorcyclists.)
I've heard about riders kicking off the mirrors of cars, carrying things to throw at cars who don't move over, being pissed at the occasional car who purposefully moves into the path of a splitting motorcycle....
I've heard of car drivers being pissed that loud motorcycles come so close to their vehicles, being unhappy that motorcycles are moving while they are stuck sitting in traffic and many that are just startled/scared when a bike flies by their car...
Fact of the matter is, I know all these things happen on a daily basis. There are many irritable and oblivious people out there and safety is compromised regularly. We've all heard the same stories over and over again. What I'm interested in however is the perspective of the motorcyclists who happen to be driving a car in traffic. Or the perspective of motorcyclists who don't lane split. Or the cop perspective. Or even, if possible, a European perspective.
Let me know what you think. Write up some perspectives if you fall into any of these categories.
I've heard about riders kicking off the mirrors of cars, carrying things to throw at cars who don't move over, being pissed at the occasional car who purposefully moves into the path of a splitting motorcycle....
I've heard of car drivers being pissed that loud motorcycles come so close to their vehicles, being unhappy that motorcycles are moving while they are stuck sitting in traffic and many that are just startled/scared when a bike flies by their car...
Fact of the matter is, I know all these things happen on a daily basis. There are many irritable and oblivious people out there and safety is compromised regularly. We've all heard the same stories over and over again. What I'm interested in however is the perspective of the motorcyclists who happen to be driving a car in traffic. Or the perspective of motorcyclists who don't lane split. Or the cop perspective. Or even, if possible, a European perspective.
Let me know what you think. Write up some perspectives if you fall into any of these categories.
Monday, November 8, 2010
The Redwood Road Ride (Bay Area, California)
Here is a sample chapter from my book. It is summarized but all the relevant info is here. I hope it is helpful to the right people. Let me know your thoughts.
REDWOOD RIDE (Bay Area, California)
SUMMARY
A popular and challenging ride with perfect twisties and impressive scenery. If you want to feel like there is nothing but you, your bike and the road, this ride is for you.
General Location/Directions:
Begins Redwood Rd. Exit off of Route 580
Left onto Redwood Rd. ~ 10.2 miles
Right onto Pinehurst Rd. ~ 6.7 miles
Right onto Skyline Blvd. turns into Grizzly Peak ~ 8.7 miles
Left onto Marin Ave. ~ 2.2 miles
Continue on Buchanan St. ~ .6 miles Entrance Route 580
Mileage: ~ 30 miles
MAP
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=117622686938550541061.0004949668099f4f9508f&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&ll=37.857643,-122.195091&spn=0.105445,0.222301&z=13&iwloc=00049496680ca5b79cd9c
Types of Bikes:
Suitable for Sport, Dual, Cruisers. Not recommended for oversized cruisers or small scooters.
Points Of Interest:
Chabot Regional Park, San Leandro Reservoir, Redwood Regional Park, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Tilden Regional Park.
Cell Phone Reception:
Sketchy for about 8 miles outside of Castro Valley while going through Chabot and Redwood Regional Park.
(Rating 1-5)
Technicality: 3
Fun: 4
Scenery: 3
Connections (ease of connection to other roads/rides:) 4
DESCRIPTION
The redwood ride is largely contained within a rural setting although the beginning section in Castro Valley is business/residential and the ending portion in Albany/Berkeley is mostly residential. These sections consist of only a small percentage of the ride as a whole. The start of the ride in Castro Valley is pleasant enough and is a good place to stop for gas, restroom or food. Watch your speed as you will be passing through a residential area (35 mph) and a school zone (25 mph.) As I see it, the actual ride starts just about 2 miles from when you exit onto Redwood Rd. from Route 580. This is when you stop seeing homes and schools and it becomes park land. Most of the ride from this point on passes through park areas which are wooded and somewhat remote at times. The residential areas start up again once you meet Skyline Blvd. but it continues to be a well forested area. Once on Grizzly Peak Blvd. you will find many opportunities to stop and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay, Oakland and San Francisco. However, if you choose not to stop you will still have plenty to enjoy despite the views. The roads are clean, well maintained and offer varying degrees of turns and twists for the full duration of the ride. Once you arrive at Marin Ave, be prepared for about a half mile of crazy steep downward hill. Use those low gears... This road will continue out to the highway.
ROAD DESCRIPTIONS/CONDITIONS
The road conditions are generally good for the most part. They seem to be well maintained and kept free of large debris and potholes. There are few rockslide areas and narrow portions to look out for but nothing that an experienced rider cant handle. Road signs are helpful, clear and posted frequently. You will see many "twisty" road signs that recommend 10 and 15 mph. You wont find many straightaways with the exception of the very beginning and end of the ride. The ride consists mostly of constant twists and turns that require all of your attention.
TRAFFIC
These roads are only moderately traveled and are usually only frequented by locals who are familiar with them. You will usually just see other motorcyclists, sports cars, hot rods and the occasional commuter car who has gotten lost. Some of these roads are most frequented by pesky bicyclists and you will find them around every corner.
CAUTIONS
I wouldn’t recommend riding on these roads for at least a few days after it rains. Since there is significant tree cover causing less sun to hit the road surfaces accompanied by cooler temperatures, road drying takes longer than usual. Also, due to the surrounding sloped terrain and numerous pine trees there can be significant accumulations of dirt and pine needles. This is most apparent after heavy rain fall and winds.
REDWOOD RIDE (Bay Area, California)
SUMMARY
A popular and challenging ride with perfect twisties and impressive scenery. If you want to feel like there is nothing but you, your bike and the road, this ride is for you.
General Location/Directions:
Begins Redwood Rd. Exit off of Route 580
Left onto Redwood Rd. ~ 10.2 miles
Right onto Pinehurst Rd. ~ 6.7 miles
Right onto Skyline Blvd. turns into Grizzly Peak ~ 8.7 miles
Left onto Marin Ave. ~ 2.2 miles
Continue on Buchanan St. ~ .6 miles Entrance Route 580
Mileage: ~ 30 miles
MAP
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=117622686938550541061.0004949668099f4f9508f&doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&ll=37.857643,-122.195091&spn=0.105445,0.222301&z=13&iwloc=00049496680ca5b79cd9c
Types of Bikes:
Suitable for Sport, Dual, Cruisers. Not recommended for oversized cruisers or small scooters.
Points Of Interest:
Chabot Regional Park, San Leandro Reservoir, Redwood Regional Park, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Tilden Regional Park.
Cell Phone Reception:
Sketchy for about 8 miles outside of Castro Valley while going through Chabot and Redwood Regional Park.
(Rating 1-5)
Technicality: 3
Fun: 4
Scenery: 3
Connections (ease of connection to other roads/rides:) 4
DESCRIPTION
The redwood ride is largely contained within a rural setting although the beginning section in Castro Valley is business/residential and the ending portion in Albany/Berkeley is mostly residential. These sections consist of only a small percentage of the ride as a whole. The start of the ride in Castro Valley is pleasant enough and is a good place to stop for gas, restroom or food. Watch your speed as you will be passing through a residential area (35 mph) and a school zone (25 mph.) As I see it, the actual ride starts just about 2 miles from when you exit onto Redwood Rd. from Route 580. This is when you stop seeing homes and schools and it becomes park land. Most of the ride from this point on passes through park areas which are wooded and somewhat remote at times. The residential areas start up again once you meet Skyline Blvd. but it continues to be a well forested area. Once on Grizzly Peak Blvd. you will find many opportunities to stop and enjoy the spectacular views of the bay, Oakland and San Francisco. However, if you choose not to stop you will still have plenty to enjoy despite the views. The roads are clean, well maintained and offer varying degrees of turns and twists for the full duration of the ride. Once you arrive at Marin Ave, be prepared for about a half mile of crazy steep downward hill. Use those low gears... This road will continue out to the highway.
ROAD DESCRIPTIONS/CONDITIONS
The road conditions are generally good for the most part. They seem to be well maintained and kept free of large debris and potholes. There are few rockslide areas and narrow portions to look out for but nothing that an experienced rider cant handle. Road signs are helpful, clear and posted frequently. You will see many "twisty" road signs that recommend 10 and 15 mph. You wont find many straightaways with the exception of the very beginning and end of the ride. The ride consists mostly of constant twists and turns that require all of your attention.
TRAFFIC
These roads are only moderately traveled and are usually only frequented by locals who are familiar with them. You will usually just see other motorcyclists, sports cars, hot rods and the occasional commuter car who has gotten lost. Some of these roads are most frequented by pesky bicyclists and you will find them around every corner.
CAUTIONS
I wouldn’t recommend riding on these roads for at least a few days after it rains. Since there is significant tree cover causing less sun to hit the road surfaces accompanied by cooler temperatures, road drying takes longer than usual. Also, due to the surrounding sloped terrain and numerous pine trees there can be significant accumulations of dirt and pine needles. This is most apparent after heavy rain fall and winds.
Book Excerpts
Later on today I will post one of the chapters from my book. It will be comprised of a popular bay area ride with tons of info as to what to look out for and some opinions from different riders about difficulty, a fun rating and what type of vehicle is best suited for this road. (If you have owned a motorcycle for any period of time in the bay area, you have probably done this ride.) I will also post a link to maps, weather report, road conditions and possibly a "popo alert." If I have time this week, I will video the ride (or part of it) so virgin riders can get an idea of what to expect.
If there is enough interest and weather is favorable, maybe we can do a group ride this weekend.
If there is enough interest and weather is favorable, maybe we can do a group ride this weekend.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Some theories, rumors and possible bullshit.
Everyone has their opinions and superstitions concerning motorcycles. Some are technical and some are actually just heresay. Whether or not there is any validity to these is anybodys guess. I wont pretend to know the answers but maybe you can provide some feedback. Maybe some feedback citing examples would help.
Here are just a few. I will add more as the blog progresses.
1) Touching rotors with bare fingers will damage them. Supposedly the acid on you finger tips will cause the rotors to warp and wear prematurely.
2) If you drop a helmet, from any height, you need to buy a new one because its integrity has been compromised.
3) Green bikes are bad luck.
4) Bells attached to your bike will drive away gremlins.
5) A dead mans bike is bad luck to ride.
6) Loud pipes save lives... The louder the bike, the more likely they are to be noticed.
7) Torque specifications are for losers.
Here are just a few. I will add more as the blog progresses.
1) Touching rotors with bare fingers will damage them. Supposedly the acid on you finger tips will cause the rotors to warp and wear prematurely.
2) If you drop a helmet, from any height, you need to buy a new one because its integrity has been compromised.
3) Green bikes are bad luck.
4) Bells attached to your bike will drive away gremlins.
5) A dead mans bike is bad luck to ride.
6) Loud pipes save lives... The louder the bike, the more likely they are to be noticed.
7) Torque specifications are for losers.
Bike-Car-Truck
So heres the idea. You have room in your garage for one motorcycle, one car and one truck. Damn, I need to fill that space... So here I go, out to the dealers make my garage complete. These are vehicles that you would use on a regular basis so they can't be the 500K Lamborghini that only goes out 2 sundays a month if its not raining. What do you get and why? Money is no option. Heres my list:
1) Motorcycle: Black Ducati Streetfighter S. Lots of torque, lots of speed, great looking, perfect everday bike. Not too aggressive positioning for going longer distances.
2) Car: Black with Red Race Stripes 2011 Mustang GT500. Might have it upgraded at the Mustang headquarters in vegas. Why this car? Have you sat in one? I have... Nothing like it. Also, its a Mustang! Enough said.
3) Truck: Black 2011 Toyota Tundra with the Rock Warrior Package. Test drove one of these, its damn sweet! Can transport bikes in the bed and is the best looking truck out there. It will last forever too.
1) Motorcycle: Black Ducati Streetfighter S. Lots of torque, lots of speed, great looking, perfect everday bike. Not too aggressive positioning for going longer distances.
2) Car: Black with Red Race Stripes 2011 Mustang GT500. Might have it upgraded at the Mustang headquarters in vegas. Why this car? Have you sat in one? I have... Nothing like it. Also, its a Mustang! Enough said.
3) Truck: Black 2011 Toyota Tundra with the Rock Warrior Package. Test drove one of these, its damn sweet! Can transport bikes in the bed and is the best looking truck out there. It will last forever too.
I wrote a book.
Awhile back, through a combined effort and collaboration of friends and riders, I wrote a very informative and fun book about motorcycle riding for the bay area. It had tons of info including specific rides, road conditions, difficulty levels, points of interest, popular speed traps, cop frequency, safety, legal rights, maps and a website that includes videos of the rides and a forum to discuss certain rides. It even had a smart phone gps thingy in the works and plenty more. Needless to say, the publishing companies said it was very well done but didn't think that they could sell millions of copies because it was too specific of an idea and would only appeal to a minority. Short-sighted bastards... :) Oh well, on to bigger and better things.
So, over time I will be releasing content from the book onto my blog for everyone to enjoy. If there is info you need, request it. I've done tons of research about bay area riding.
So, over time I will be releasing content from the book onto my blog for everyone to enjoy. If there is info you need, request it. I've done tons of research about bay area riding.
Some concerns.
After working in the industry for awhile and meeting more and more motorcycle/scooter riders, I've noticed a somewhat disturbing trend in how people mistreat their vehicles. These are simple things that can easily be checked but less than half the people I know actually do it.
1) Tire pressure. When a soft surface (tires) meets a much harder surface (road surface) for an extended period of time the soft surface is going to grind down eventually. One way or another your tires are going to wear down regardless of what your tire pressure is but under/over inflation can cause a number of additional problems. Under inflation will cause premature wear on tire surfaces as well as stability issues. Over inflation can cause skidding issues and stress on the tire which may make a blowout more likely. For your own safety and if you want your bike to perform at its best, check your tires pressures once a week. Seriously guys, it takes less than 3 minutes. Always use the factory spec psi labeled on the frame of the bike, not what it says on the tire.
2) Oil. This is a no-brainer, at least I think so... Whatever oil you swear by (and I'm sure there will be tons of debate in the future on this topic) make sure you have enough. Check your dipstick or look at your oil window. In the case of Harleys just look on the floor (ha ha.) Your owners manual will tell you all you need to know about your particular bike's oil needs. This is important! Some oil levels will need to be checked while on side stands, center stands, rear stands, at certain temperatures, etc etc.
Imagine 2 pieces of material rubbing together at high speed. Both materials are going to wear away and possibly break or lose integrity. The same 2 pieces under the same circumstances with oil between them with last much much longer and slide past each other with relative ease. If the sensitive (and expensive) parts of your engine aren't properly lubricated with the right amount of oil, your bike is screwed. Check your oil once a week and do your scheduled oil changes as per the manual. If you see metal shavings in the oil while doing the oil change, ummm... well this is bad. This can be caused by other things but more times than not this is due to improper lubrication and integral parts of your engine are being destroyed.
3) Chain. Chain driven bikes require more regular service than shaft or belt driven bikes. Check your chain for the proper amount of chain slack. Check chain for rust. Check chain for the proper amount of lube. All of this info can be found in your particular bikes manual as well as how to adjust chain slack. For my own piece of mind I tend to do chain maintenance about once every 30 to 45 days, after I wash my bike or if I've been in the rain for a long period of time. After you do a proper chain job, you should notice a huge difference in performance. Smooth, smooth, smooth riding.
All of these 3 things are easily overlooked, are simple and will make your bike run far smoother and efficiently. Each one will probably be discussed in more detail in later posts.
1) Tire pressure. When a soft surface (tires) meets a much harder surface (road surface) for an extended period of time the soft surface is going to grind down eventually. One way or another your tires are going to wear down regardless of what your tire pressure is but under/over inflation can cause a number of additional problems. Under inflation will cause premature wear on tire surfaces as well as stability issues. Over inflation can cause skidding issues and stress on the tire which may make a blowout more likely. For your own safety and if you want your bike to perform at its best, check your tires pressures once a week. Seriously guys, it takes less than 3 minutes. Always use the factory spec psi labeled on the frame of the bike, not what it says on the tire.
2) Oil. This is a no-brainer, at least I think so... Whatever oil you swear by (and I'm sure there will be tons of debate in the future on this topic) make sure you have enough. Check your dipstick or look at your oil window. In the case of Harleys just look on the floor (ha ha.) Your owners manual will tell you all you need to know about your particular bike's oil needs. This is important! Some oil levels will need to be checked while on side stands, center stands, rear stands, at certain temperatures, etc etc.
Imagine 2 pieces of material rubbing together at high speed. Both materials are going to wear away and possibly break or lose integrity. The same 2 pieces under the same circumstances with oil between them with last much much longer and slide past each other with relative ease. If the sensitive (and expensive) parts of your engine aren't properly lubricated with the right amount of oil, your bike is screwed. Check your oil once a week and do your scheduled oil changes as per the manual. If you see metal shavings in the oil while doing the oil change, ummm... well this is bad. This can be caused by other things but more times than not this is due to improper lubrication and integral parts of your engine are being destroyed.
3) Chain. Chain driven bikes require more regular service than shaft or belt driven bikes. Check your chain for the proper amount of chain slack. Check chain for rust. Check chain for the proper amount of lube. All of this info can be found in your particular bikes manual as well as how to adjust chain slack. For my own piece of mind I tend to do chain maintenance about once every 30 to 45 days, after I wash my bike or if I've been in the rain for a long period of time. After you do a proper chain job, you should notice a huge difference in performance. Smooth, smooth, smooth riding.
All of these 3 things are easily overlooked, are simple and will make your bike run far smoother and efficiently. Each one will probably be discussed in more detail in later posts.
In The Beginning...
This is a blog primarily about motorcycles and the technology involved. This is also an idea blog about cars, trucks, quads, innovation, creation, tech and the the journey to understand what this all means and how it all came about. Its about speed, power and what draws us towards these things. Most importantly however, this blog is for all of you who lay awake at night dreaming about owning that specific bike, car or machine that is in your mind the coolest thing in existence, for those who desire to design these machines or design the garages spaces and workshops for spending endless hours tinkering and building and for the dreamers who know that one day, this will be a reality.
This blog is about passion. It is for a certain type of individual. You know who you are and you are always welcome here and I want to hear from you. For everyone else, your passion hopefully lies elsewhere so good luck finding it.
This blog is about passion. It is for a certain type of individual. You know who you are and you are always welcome here and I want to hear from you. For everyone else, your passion hopefully lies elsewhere so good luck finding it.
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