tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post115591920413655897..comments2024-01-30T22:53:34.269-08:00Comments on Musings of an Intrepid Commuter: irondadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17821323482397075170noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1156248122112712312006-08-22T05:02:00.000-07:002006-08-22T05:02:00.000-07:00irondad: there was some discussion of seeing vs. ...irondad: there was some discussion of seeing vs. observing but not a lot. I have really tried hard to recognize situations loaded with danger and not just mindlessly follow the rules or assume my right of way will be respected. <BR/><BR/>I keep thinking of the video I saw on Ride2Die.com showing a Harley stopped at a traffic light just in front of a police cruiser that has someone pulled over. A pickup truck comes along and rear ends him presumably watching the cop and not paying attention to the intersection. The rider obviously was following the rules by stopping at the light but a keen observation by the rider would assume a risk of rubber necking and not sit their idly waiting for the light in such a situation.<BR/><BR/>The rider was not wrong but also did not manage the risk perhaps as well as could have been---seeing vs. observing maybe?<BR/><BR/>steveSteve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1156178661149761662006-08-21T09:44:00.000-07:002006-08-21T09:44:00.000-07:00steve,It's amazing how drivers "assume" a certain ...steve,<BR/>It's amazing how drivers "assume" a certain thing will happen. It can happen to riders, as well. You recently took the ERC. It's been a long time since I taught their course but I seem to remember a discussion about "seeing" versus "observing". In other words, the difference between looking and actually discerning what the true situation is. Did they do that still in your class?<BR/><BR/>to my anonymous visitor with the flat tire in Georgia,<BR/><BR/>Liability fears have taken over the world. That's why most shops won't repair tires that have been plugged. For the same reason the tire manufacturers won't say it's ok to run a plugged tire.<BR/><BR/>In the real world the general concensus is that any plug inserted from the outside, such as would be done on the side of the road, is to be considered as a temporary fix only.<BR/><BR/>As soon as possible the tire should be dismounted and plugged or patched from the inside. Very few folks have problems after that. However, there have been reports of these plugs and patches coming loose at very inopportune times, especially with sport bike tires at higher speeds or tourers with heavy loads. <BR/><BR/>Use your best judgement and don't quote me. I don't want any liability! :)<BR/><BR/>rey,<BR/>Good to know you're out there in the middle of the country! I've put many miles on a CB750. Thanks for stopping by!<BR/><BR/>DanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1155952094711939032006-08-18T18:48:00.000-07:002006-08-18T18:48:00.000-07:00Dan, excellent blog, i've learned several points f...Dan, excellent blog, i've learned several points from it. I commute about 60mi., roundtrip daily, some highway and secondary country roads, on a CB750.<BR/>I can relate to everything you have written, pertaining to cagers.<BR/>I'm looking forward to more input from your blog.<BR/>I wear a Roadcrafter same as yours, i assume you have black pants. The best investment ever, and we also have 100's here too, still wear it all, and get the stares from cagers and other riders.<BR/>Thanks for your info and keep it coming..<BR/>forgive my long comment,<BR/>take care,<BR/><BR/>reyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1155944958064385182006-08-18T16:49:00.000-07:002006-08-18T16:49:00.000-07:00You have an excellent blog, I am looking forward t...You have an excellent blog, I am looking forward to your entry on "cornering".<BR/><BR/>Ahh the joys of Big city traffic, my commute is 70 miles from rural Georgia to downtown Atlanta, often the ability to roll-on has gotten me past tight situations, whether its inattentive city drivers or unpredictable critters in the country.<BR/><BR/>Last night I encountered another inebtable joy of riding - a flat. which brings me to a question I would love to hear your input on.<BR/><BR/>The plug kits I have (its a tubeless)say that they are for temporary repair only - ride at 60km/hr max for no more than 100 miles. Other kits I have seen say something similar. My dealer, as well as a short survey of others in the area, say they will not repair a flat - only replace the tire. Now my flats in the past have come at the end of the tires' life, so I had no problem replacing them. But this tire still has 5000+ miles of life. <BR/><BR/>So the question is what do you suggest to do after a flat?<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the long comment. Thanks for your time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1155943100362700202006-08-18T16:18:00.000-07:002006-08-18T16:18:00.000-07:00Krispy Kreme doughnuts....Yeah, I would not have t...Krispy Kreme doughnuts....<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I would not have the power to shoot the gap and be ahead. I would have been in behind the idiots when they stopped.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I would not be on that road at all...<BR/><BR/>The jury is still out for me on the power issue. The tailgating issue drives me nuts. Today I was making a turn into Burger King and had to stop to let a bicycle on the sidewalk fly by. The person behind me assumed by signal to turn would be followed by a seamless turn and was not ready for my stop. I had to shoot off the road and stop short of the sidewalk to avoid being rear ended and running into the bike.<BR/><BR/>Drivers assume too much.<BR/><BR/>steveSteve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1155939922768421012006-08-18T15:25:00.000-07:002006-08-18T15:25:00.000-07:00nate,thanks for stopping by and offering the comme...nate,<BR/>thanks for stopping by and offering the comment. For me, the ride fills me with life and excitement. That comes through when I write about it.<BR/><BR/>I've always wondered why drivers can't just go with the flow and enjoy the ride. You're right, they just can't seem to sit still even if they only gain one car length. Must be indicative of some larger problem!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20666162.post-1155936724172378252006-08-18T14:32:00.000-07:002006-08-18T14:32:00.000-07:00Before I started reading this blog I couldn't see ...Before I started reading this blog I couldn't see a lot of excitement in narratives about motorcycle commuting.<BR/><BR/>Boy was I wrong.<BR/><BR/>Considering the way some drivers are addicted to changing lanes, I guess I'm surprised that this kind of thing doesn't happen more often.<BR/><BR/>... Nate B. (Salt Lake City)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com