Should be obvious!
This picture was taken by Brian Poppe during our recent heavy snowstorm. It's near an exit off Interstate 5 near Burlington. Brian's a member of the Wet Leather rider group. He's graciously given me permission to use the photo. Due to the conditions when the photo was taken and the transfer to the blog, the sign's a little blurry. I sincerely apologize for that. You can see the original posting here.The sign reads: Motorcyclists use extreme caution.
Like I say, it should be obvious!
You have to wonder why someone thought to post a sign in a snowstorm in the first place. Was it there before the snow? Did policy just dictate that certain signs be placed at certain spots? Why did the crews even think a motorcyclist would be out in the snow?
Perhaps they saw a certain Yamaha mounted rider with a Hi-Viz jacket out and about and figured they should protect all road users? Even those who are crazy! Actually, I prefer the term "fearless". This blog is named Musings of an Intrepid Commuter. Look up "intrepid" in the dictionary sometime.
Someone suggested this would be a good thing to include in an Aerostich ad. Works for me.
Miles and smiles,
Dan
6 comments:
here in colorado, they mean it when they post those signs:
my first year of riding, I saw similar signs while riding on the sunlit side of co103, the road that leads up to Mt Evans Road, the roads were not too bad with just the odd patch of snow/ice that were easily avoidable.
I thought they were just being overcautious till I started going downhill, on the not-so-sunlit side of co103....soon I was on packed snow and not daring to try a u-turn or perhaps too stupid/stubborn. My wife probably would say the latter.
Some time later, I discovered that if you downshift while on snow, your rear wheel will probably slide out from under you. I really, really should have stayed in second gear.
I still can see, in my minds eye, my bike spinning on its right jug, doing downhill before me, as I slid down the hill after it.
Once we both stopped, a good samaritan who'd witnessed this came up the hill and helped me right the bike. He'd been hiking nearby apparently.
Made it past the next few snow covered miles, still heading downhill as there was no real traction going back uphill, going dead slow.
Amazingly, only minor scratches on the tupperware of my motorcycle.
So yeah, one should heed those signs or least make "turn around" decisions much earlier.....
wow, that was over two years ago...how time flies when one is having fun: LINK
Here's my guess regarding the sign: It was placed there earlier with the other construction accouterments you see in the background.
The last time I visited Washington, I noticed that almost every construction zone had the "Motorcyclists use extreme caution" signage. Almost always, there *was* something to be cautious about within the zone: grooved or broken pavement, or some extreme edge traps (as when a lane has been freshly paved while the other has not), etc.
Thus, I think posting these signs is a WA DOT thing, and probably not related to the weather. Though, it makes for an interesting thought puzzle!
Intrepid: adj.- characterized by resolute fearlessness, fortitude and endurance.
You da man!
I'm guessing "they saw a certain Yamaha mounted rider with a Hi-Viz jacket out and about and figured they should protect all road users". He's a wildman I tell you!
-Peace
Dom,
Learning moments and great war stories. What more can we want? Isn't it weird how our wives see the real "us" and aren't afraid to tell us about it?
Stacy, Allen, and Lady R,
I like Allen's choice of reasons a lot. Stacy's is probably closer to the actual truth. And I think I just fell in love with Lady R!
Take care,
Dan
A few years ago WA legislature passed a law that requires any construction zone that may impose hazards to motorcyclists to post those signs, with very hefty penalties if they don't post it and a motorcyclist crashes.
Thus it is only prudent for them to post the signs at every construction zone, which (in my opinion) leads to a "boy who cried wolf" effect; riders will get tired of seeing them, learn to ignore them, and not heed them when needed.
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