I'm a new rider this summer. I've noticed that many of the minor cracks in paved roads are repaired with (I assume) a bitumen type compound that is actually slippery. They are usually thin strips or lines filling cracks that have developed. I got a bit of a scare the first time I went over one as the front wheel seemed to slip/wobble. I had the feeling that if I hit or rode on a line of this stuff I could easily lose the bike from under me, especially if it was in a corner. Has anybody else experienced this or I am I being unnecessarily concerned?
Slippery Road Repaird
- Thread starter gunnerpc
- Start date
Tar snakes can be quite slippery, especially in high temperatures. Best to avoid them, if possible. At other times, when it's not so warm out, they're usually not an issue.
DoubleJ
Well-known member
Road snakes. Cheap road repair that we are subjected to far too much in this province. They will throw the bike around and especially on corners at speed. If your front tire has a centre groove it tends to be worse than a wavy one. Just be aware and prepared for the movement of the bike.
It depends on your bike/tires/suspension too. My old Honda would go nuts when it hit them, the aprilia didn't even notice they were there. As Rob said, they are best avoided to prevent trouble.
While we are on the topic of road hazards, pay attention to metal (ie man hole covers, construction plates, streetcar tracks etc) and painted lines too. Both of these can be slippery than you expect, especially when wet.
While we are on the topic of road hazards, pay attention to metal (ie man hole covers, construction plates, streetcar tracks etc) and painted lines too. Both of these can be slippery than you expect, especially when wet.
suzuki2000
Well-known member
There is one near the gas station I use quite often. its on a curve right on the driving line. If you are in the correct position to take the corner you hit the snake and get a reminder
Gryphon
Well-known member
Just wanted to mention that the roads are the roads - there may be gravel, sand, bumps, lumps, holes, fluid, patches, dead critters etc.
No one ever promised you perfect roadways, and things could be getting worse over the next few years.
Something like a KLR or a Versys is most suitable to the real urban world, with potholes, streetcar tracks, curbs and soiled roadway.
SuperSport bikes are never the hot setup...
Again, I mention this only because some people become quite indignant when they believe the roadways should be perfect and immaculate, and everything's the city's fault (or the ministry).
But better to deal in reality. Pretend there's always a giant chasm ahead just around the corner, and ride accordingly.
Only experience can help calm you at the fringe of traction when you feel the handlebars moving around in your hands while at speed.
Dirt riders are used to this but street riders can become quite unnerved!
But don't worry, there's often plenty of traction still left.
Often...
No one ever promised you perfect roadways, and things could be getting worse over the next few years.
Something like a KLR or a Versys is most suitable to the real urban world, with potholes, streetcar tracks, curbs and soiled roadway.
SuperSport bikes are never the hot setup...
Again, I mention this only because some people become quite indignant when they believe the roadways should be perfect and immaculate, and everything's the city's fault (or the ministry).
But better to deal in reality. Pretend there's always a giant chasm ahead just around the corner, and ride accordingly.
Only experience can help calm you at the fringe of traction when you feel the handlebars moving around in your hands while at speed.
Dirt riders are used to this but street riders can become quite unnerved!
But don't worry, there's often plenty of traction still left.
Often...
Thanks very much for all the comments - most helpful. And I do fully agree that we can't expect to have perfect roads and that expecting the unexpected is the safest policy! And I guess most importantly not panicking - the comment about probably having (or getting back) more traction than you might realize was very useful.
True enough...add this to your "must watch out for list" which should include:
1. Idiots on cellphones
2. People throwing things from car windows (cigarettes etc)
3. Dogs on residential streets that dislike engine noise and are off lead
4. People who think you are invisible
5. Bits of tire/tree/etc in road
6. The boy racer
7. The girl racer
8. Mr I'maninadequateminivandriverwithatinydick
9. Soccer moms
10. Moms in general with infants on board who require more attention than driving
11. The truck driver who's been at the wheel for 12h straight on speed who decides that now would be a good time to pull out...when you're right beside him passing.
12. Any cab drivers
13. Cyclists wearing black with no lights at night
14. Cyclists during the day
15. Skateboarders who haven't realised they aren't cool anymore and actually never were.
Anything else I missed?
1. Idiots on cellphones
2. People throwing things from car windows (cigarettes etc)
3. Dogs on residential streets that dislike engine noise and are off lead
4. People who think you are invisible
5. Bits of tire/tree/etc in road
6. The boy racer
7. The girl racer
8. Mr I'maninadequateminivandriverwithatinydick
9. Soccer moms
10. Moms in general with infants on board who require more attention than driving
11. The truck driver who's been at the wheel for 12h straight on speed who decides that now would be a good time to pull out...when you're right beside him passing.
12. Any cab drivers
13. Cyclists wearing black with no lights at night
14. Cyclists during the day
15. Skateboarders who haven't realised they aren't cool anymore and actually never were.
Anything else I missed?
I've noticed a lot of shoddy road repair lately. Whenever they patch the road it seems they don't even make an attempt to level it. Just look at the pot hole repairs on the gardiner east bound near the portlands. They replaced depressions of a few inches with raised bumps of a few inches.
16. People wearing hats in American made cars.
17. Plain white vans.
18. Pedestrians who think that they're immortal.
I also forgot...
19. Old people in vastly overpowered cars driving 20kmh below the limit....and another 10kmh below that if it's raining.
20. (Specific case of #18) Ipod/mp3 wearers who step into the road randomly without looking.
21. Lost people in a car who will stop all traffic for miles around them by crawling along instead of pulling over to read directions.
19. Old people in vastly overpowered cars driving 20kmh below the limit....and another 10kmh below that if it's raining.
20. (Specific case of #18) Ipod/mp3 wearers who step into the road randomly without looking.
21. Lost people in a car who will stop all traffic for miles around them by crawling along instead of pulling over to read directions.
I guess from a certain perspective this might make some sense, trucks will flatten it in a week or two. I know I've seen leveled repairs get ripped out somehow by traffic within a month.
adamwest
Well-known member
Aliens? I've got my foil hat on right now. How 'bout you?
Covered by #16.
