well, maybe if the other guy's title was a little more to the point i would have seen it
mods can lock/merge as they see fit.
Petition to ban commercial vehicles from US129 (Deals Gap)
- Thread starter S500K
- Start date
well, maybe if the other guy's title was a little more to the point i would have seen it
mods can lock/merge as they see fit.
For the very few occasions that sending a large commercial vehicle through there is unavoidable, send an escort vehicle through with it. You see them on the highway all the time.. a regular sized pickup truck with amber flashing lights and the "wide load" banner. Have an escort vehicle stay one or two corners ahead of the rig. Plenty of time to slow down or stop to let the big vehicle pass safely.
yea, there's no reason that the authorities can't use discretion in a case like that. put some signs up 1k in each direction warning people that there's some road work going on in that section, and it wouldn't be a problem.
Couple weeks ago, a few of us were up in the Muskokas and out of nowhere on 38, at the end of a blind right hand sweeper was a marathon being run. it was about 7-8k outside of Bala. thankfully it was only taking up the other lane, but there was no warning whatsoever. There were people and paper cups all over the road. I can just imagine a truck coming around that bend, even at the posted speed limit and all of a sudden coming up on a bunch of people all over the road.
I drive a 30wheeler daily, and have also spent many hrs on US129. In all honesty, if you follow the speed limit, and exercise proper motorcycle control, there is no way you could be involved in an accident with a rig on that highway They just ain't moving fast enough to be a direct threat. Now the traffic approaching behind you while slowing/stopping for a rig is another story. Anyhow, can y'all wait until I git a shot at runnin' the Dragon in my Pete, before scratchin' yer initials on that dang petition?
I honestly don't understand your post, "can y'all wait until I git a shot at runnin' the Dragon in my Pete, before scratchin' yer initials on that dang petition?" It's been made very clear that long vehicles have to use both lanes just to get through that road. It is unsafe and extreemly dangerous killing people every year. Take your Pete somewhere else, I'd rather not die thanks.
PandaFu
Well-known member
OK that is as much as hazard for the truck themselves as the trucks become for cars/bikes.
mototrek
Well-known member
Re: If You or Want To Ride The Dragon
Signed
But 448 more signatures needed!
Lesson learned - been there from 2003 to 2008 - loved the road - but learned in 2003 to NEVER ride the dragon after 9:00 am and before 6:30 pm.
Note also, in 2003 there seemed to be much less traffic. By 2008, sporties were flying the road, knee draging and one hand knuckling.
So, personally I limit myself to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. During the week, I have the roads almost all to myself and the buddies I ride with.
But what do you say to people who've never been there and really want to experience it?
I say never ride after 9:00 am in the morning and before 6:30 pm. If you want to ride faster than 30 or 40 mph, it doesn't matter when you ride - just have your things in order.
Signed
But 448 more signatures needed!
Lesson learned - been there from 2003 to 2008 - loved the road - but learned in 2003 to NEVER ride the dragon after 9:00 am and before 6:30 pm.
Note also, in 2003 there seemed to be much less traffic. By 2008, sporties were flying the road, knee draging and one hand knuckling.
So, personally I limit myself to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. During the week, I have the roads almost all to myself and the buddies I ride with.
But what do you say to people who've never been there and really want to experience it?
I say never ride after 9:00 am in the morning and before 6:30 pm. If you want to ride faster than 30 or 40 mph, it doesn't matter when you ride - just have your things in order.
I have spent quite a bit of time at the dragon and have seen many trucks roll through. I am yet to see one stuck or involved in an accident. I have however witnessed loss of control on motorcycles on many occasions and the resulting crashes(and deaths).
The photos that Killboy has put up of trucks do not even remotely come close in numbers to the pictures that he has posted of motorcycle wrecks. Being a motorcyclist and a trucker, I fear the motorcycles much more than I ever would a truck. There are more motorcyclists and cagers, that have to use both lanes to get down that road, than there are trucks. And in my opinion the fast moving bikes with riders lacking in basic skills are way more of a threat. The trucks simply move slow, the only way you are going to hit one is if you are speeding, and have no control over your bike.
I would be suprised if the petition will develop much steam. Those rigs pay for that road through fuel tax and plates. I pay $3000 here in Ontario for my plate alone each year, which most of goes right back to the roads. I also spend over $100,000 in fuel each year, much of which is taxes that also go back to the roads. I would have a hard time being told that I can not go on a road that I pay for.
To detour around US129 would also be very costly for the transportation companies. I have not worked it out, but I could only imagine how much extra fuel would have to be burned to avoid it. Burning fuel costs money and environmental impact.
Rather than signing a petition that will likely do little, maybe set up a website that truckers can contact to be able to arrange an escort, and volunteer your time to provide such service.
In my conversations, I have found no locals that have a problem with trucks. The local riders move very quickly along that highway and have the skills to handle their bikes. In my opinion it is the rider's from abroad that become over excited, ride beyond their ability, and are most likely to crash. I understand Darryl starting the petition. He really truly does not want to see rider's get hurt, even if due to their own lack of ability.
I was sitting at the fire with Doug Snavely a few years back, I saw him brought to tears, when he told me he felt responsible for promoting the place, drawing riders in, and watching them die. Only when you get rid of the reckless riders and those who ride beyond their ability, will you solve the problems and deaths at the dragon.
First of all, your plate fee goes to the MTO - not "directly back to the roads" and most certainly not to any of the US states. Secondly, the IFTA revenue for each province and state goes towards the maintenance of ALL roads within that province or state, including the ones that commercial vehicles are banned from using. The Tail Of The Dragon is not a recommended route for trucks, plain and simple. To drive down it under the mistaken belief that you have the right to do so because that you're paying for its upkeep through IFTA taxes is, at best, laughable.
If you can't find an alternate route to get to where you're going other than the 129, I have to question your map reading and route planning ability. Also, if you are so concerned about the fuel and the environment, I'm very curious to know what steps you have taken to improve fuel economy on your own Peterbilt. Which, and I'm just guessing here, isn't a 587.
casacrow - Don't take this personally, but if people are concerned enough about road safety, truckers should take another route, especially if they also ride motorcycles and know that the Dragon is a popular road for motorcycles. Why take a chance killing someone when u could possibly save them and take another route? Taking another route could also save you time from hassels with manouveuring the truck through the road, and if u did get into/cause an accident with the truck and a bike or even another vehicle for being in the oncoming lane, you still have to deal with the police about tha accident, insurance companies, YOUR BOSS for being late/crashing his truck/etc, and possibly the coroner. Truckers should just take a different route and avoid all possiblities of an accident.
Signed.
Signed.
Last edited:
OpenGambit
Banned
I see where you are going with this.
The way to cure aids is to just let everyone with aids die! no more aids problem!
Re: If You or Want To Ride The Dragon
Oh also, just wondering about another popular place for riders. The Mulholland Hwy. Never seen a truck on any videos or any laws etc banning them there? Do truckers simply not pass in that area or are they not allowed or do they know all about the twisties there?
Oh also, just wondering about another popular place for riders. The Mulholland Hwy. Never seen a truck on any videos or any laws etc banning them there? Do truckers simply not pass in that area or are they not allowed or do they know all about the twisties there?
Re: If You or Want To Ride The Dragon
I think in that area there's a million easier ways to get around. Plus there are not that many truckers desperate to drive into the Pacific Ocean. The problem with US-129 is that there really are not that many roads in the Smoky Mountains National Park, so if they try to cross the park to save time, they have few choices (and no good ones).
I think in that area there's a million easier ways to get around. Plus there are not that many truckers desperate to drive into the Pacific Ocean. The problem with US-129 is that there really are not that many roads in the Smoky Mountains National Park, so if they try to cross the park to save time, they have few choices (and no good ones).
Re: If You or Want To Ride The Dragon
Little lost here, you guys want to stop trucks from doing their job because you want to have fun on a road??? How about a petition for better truck driving courses. There are tighter roads in Greece and I've seen trucks and busses doing them at more than the posted limit.
Little lost here, you guys want to stop trucks from doing their job because you want to have fun on a road??? How about a petition for better truck driving courses. There are tighter roads in Greece and I've seen trucks and busses doing them at more than the posted limit.
