A riding mistake that is made just a little too often.

[Arizona Wayne]

Wayne, be careful out there because it does happen here, all too frequently.  Most of the time it is due to the state highway department not properly posting the road, so, you get a bus or other long vehicle on a road with tight turns.  And, as a driver of a longer rig, no you cannot find out how 'curvy' a road is all the time.  Yes, I research roads I know I will be on, but, getting lost or missing a turn, or being 'sent' on a detour will put me on a road I know nothing about.  If the road is not posted with limitations then I will be that guy trying to fit a 40ft rig on a harpin turn.

PS And yes, when driving a rig like that you are to 'warn' oncoming drivers.  In the states I have had a license (4 of them so far) all that means is honking the horn.

I have to admit southern states are not as concerned as western states, it seems, on warning of possible calamities on their roads.  Have never ridden anywhere in the NE and don't plan to.  Out West the roads are not so treacherous as some of you describe, tho they are challenging and plentifull in the right areas. 

[Nic in Western NYS]

Wayne, be careful out there because it does happen here, all too frequently.  Most of the time it is due to the state highway department not properly posting the road, so, you get a bus or other long vehicle on a road with tight turns.  And, as a driver of a longer rig, no you cannot find out how 'curvy' a road is all the time.  Yes, I research roads I know I will be on, but, getting lost or missing a turn, or being 'sent' on a detour will put me on a road I know nothing about.  If the road is not posted with limitations then I will be that guy trying to fit a 40ft rig on a harpin turn.

PS And yes, when driving a rig like that you are to 'warn' oncoming drivers.  In the states I have had a license (4 of them so far) all that means is honking the horn.

Was behind a rig going from Hendersonville to Bat Cave NC, he couldn't make it and needed to turn around and head back (that was something to watch).  Very pleasant truck drivers, just had no idea how twisty the road was going to be.

[LowRyter]

And every once in a while a semi gets jack knifed on the Dragon.  Usually takes all day to get them towed out. 

[Arizona Wayne]

At least in Calif. long semis are warned of such roads with signs before the truck get's on them.    I also believe the truck drivers have map books to let them know what roads are accessible for their load weight/length.

[Triple Jim]

As far as the Dragon, big trucks are now banned.  That doesn't mean one doesn't occasionally ignore the ban, but they're illegal on that road now.  I still keep my eyes open for things blocking my path when I'm riding there.

http://tailofthedragon.com/tail-of-the-dragon-info/trucks-on-the-dragon/

[jacksonracingcomau]

... is brought to our attention rather well with this image I thought.



Certainly on our roads this can and does occur way too easily, often with unfortunate results.

Just in case I'm missing something
What happens if similar bus instead of motorbike ?
Or family sedan ?
We can move over, they can't

I might be wise on a bike, in a car I'd be in big trouble
Ride safe, beware big f@ckers on wrong side of road

[charlie b]

I have to admit southern states are not as concerned as western states, it seems, on warning of possible calamities on their roads.  Have never ridden anywhere in the NE and don't plan to.  Out West the roads are not so treacherous as some of you describe, tho they are challenging and plentifull in the right areas.   

Even here in NM there are some roads with turns that can be as bad, without any markings.  A few of the turns on NM117, NM152, NM35 all have tight corners and are not restricted for larger vehicles.  I suspect it has to do with DOT rules about how many tight turns there are within so many miles of roadway.

Bottom line is if you are coming up on a tight, blind corner, be careful, cause the person coming the other way might be in your lane.

Or, there might be rocks, sand, oil, deer, elk, etc in the road as well.  :)

[Bill929]

I see riders do that all the time on W. NC mountain roads.  Up here, its not buses, but RVs and trucks.  Leaving Cruso a couple of weeks ago, a rock truck came around a tight curve about 3 feet in my lane.  I was in the middle of my lane, which was still too close.  Fortunately, I  was able to re-adjust my line over to the right side (which is where - as many have said - gravel lurks). 

[johnr]

As far as the Dragon, big trucks are now banned.  That doesn't mean one doesn't occasionally ignore the ban, but they're illegal on that road now.  I still keep my eyes open for things blocking my path when I'm riding there.

http://tailofthedragon.com/tail-of-the-dragon-info/trucks-on-the-dragon/

Some interesting photos on that site Triple Jim. An extreme case for sure, but it makes the point.

[Muzz]

In the early days on my beloved Takaka hill with it's 365 bends and corners,  there used to be a couple of blind bends where the road was so narrow that my wheels could be right on the edge of the tar seal and my head was level with the centre line.  Meeting a car running wide was shall we say, exciting.

Fortunately, over the years they have widened the road in a lot of places,  and in particular, those narrow corners.