Author Topic: Riding On the Freeway Is No Fun (Read 5324 times)

JeffOlson · « **on:** July 15, 2020, 11:23:20 AM »

Riding on the freeway is no fun anymore. Too many crazy drivers, semis going slowly in the fast lane, Corvettes speeding in the slow lane, no one signaling lane changes, 90 miles per hour one moment, foot down the next, then feathering the clutch for miles...

Yesterday, I rode my Norge from Olympia to the Portland area and back to pick up some medication for my wife (that's another story why we have to travel to Portland for "health care") and to see my elderly parents (who are still in their home and do not have --19). The ride started out great, but by the end of the return trip, I was ready never to ride on I-5 again. I think I will stick to back roads around Olympia.

Gliderjohn · « **Reply #1 on:** July 15, 2020, 11:31:23 AM »

Mostly just boring in KS. Much less traffic than your area. I can lock down the throttle on the T-3 at an indicated 80-85 and not have to touch it for miles. At that speed I generally am not passed by trucks only some cars and pickups. Generally I only use the interstates if I need to make serious time or really have no other relatively efficiant route.
GliderJohn

wirespokes · « **Reply #2 on:** July 15, 2020, 11:47:24 AM »

That area around Olympia can be the worst! It's really stupid lane splitting isn't legal.

Heading west from Sisters Oregon a week ago traffic was stop/go for 15 miles. I braved the shoulder at 15-20 mph and had only one car honk at me. I was the only bike all others waiting in line.

With the awful traffic in the Los Angeles area it could be worse than Olympia/Seattle, but on a bike I rather enjoyed riding down there. I could get through jams in minutes that took hours in a cage.

I recall one time heading south out of Olympia on I5 - traffic was crawling. A group of about three of us rode the shoulder for many miles even though it wasn't really allowed.

I was told recently that when there are traffic jams in Portland the cops allow motorcyclists to ride around them on the shoulder.

JeffOlson · « **Reply #3 on:** July 15, 2020, 11:55:15 AM »

I don't know about the police allowing motorcyclists to ride the shoulder in Portland during a traffic jam.

Before the pandemic (when I was still traveling regularly between Olympia and Portland), I saw the police stop a motorcyclist for riding on the right shoulder of I-5 hearing north through Portland during a typical afternoon crawl.

Yesterday, there were several motorcyclists and even one Mercedes that traveled on BOTH shoulders of I-5 north of Chehalis during a crash-induced "lockdown." I dutifully stayed in my lane, wearing out my clutch and my left hand...

JJ · « **Reply #4 on:** July 15, 2020, 12:18:47 PM »

QUOTE: Riding on the freeway is no fun anymore...

Hello! When did that little light go on?

You want a REAL adventure?

Try riding on the I-17 in Arizona, north or south...which is the 4th or 5th deadliest highway in the USA!! Also I-10 south of Phoenix to Tucson, and SR93 Phoenix up through Wickenburg....not good!

Insane semi's driving too fast...and all the other bad driving habits of cagers you previously mentioned...

s1120 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 15, 2020, 12:53:17 PM »

For me its not riding on the highways thats bad... its riding around ANY cities!! Really I can leave my house in eastern NY, take I 90 almost to Boston, and if its not a friday night or sunday afternoon its really not bad at all. Just 80MPH and go... you couldnt pay me to ride down near NYC though.....

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #6 on:** July 15, 2020, 12:55:21 PM »

On the interstate hys in Missouri, it's as if the passing lane and the driving lane have reversed roles. Idiots drive 2mph over in the hammer lane for miles on end as if no one has ever heard of a blind spot or the "No Zone" It's just stupid, If I didn't drive a company car with a 800# on it I'd give 'em the one finger salute and blow their doors. I really don't like passing on the right especially on the bike.

Ncdan · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2020, 01:06:28 PM »

+1 on freeway ridding

LowRyter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 15, 2020, 01:08:44 PM »

Alternative routes?

LongRanger · « **Reply #9 on:** July 15, 2020, 01:31:48 PM »

Obey speed limits and traffic laws?

GeorgiaGuzzi · « **Reply #10 on:** July 15, 2020, 02:20:47 PM »

Quote from: LongRanger on July 15, 2020, 01:31:48 PM

Obey speed limits and traffic laws?

I think the OP was talking about the prevalence of other drivers ignoring said speed limits and traffic laws. And around here obeying the speed limit will literally get you run over. I see at least one accident a week where one car rear ends a slow moving car. I ride to and from work on a 55mph four lane. I keep it around 70ish. I stay in the right lane and only pass a few vehicles moving slower than that. People are routinely driving 80-85. One of the other posters was in the Midwest. Where speed limits are higher. I don’t like to ride the freeways, but if I gotta make time on the front end of a trip or the back end of a trip I will. Not everyone here is retired and some of us even have limited time off. Hard to believe I know.

Tom · « **Reply #11 on:** July 15, 2020, 02:40:43 PM »

Sometimes you have to take the Interstate. I avoid them unless they're away from an urban population center. However, I do enjoy riding in NYC and CA state. CA because of legal filtering and NYC because if you don't filter you'd still be in traffic. It's illegal but by the time I'm done there are no cops around.

slopokes · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2020, 03:13:22 PM »

NYC—-the last time I rode a bike there was 1980—-when I took a bus from north jersey to Long Island city to buy a new cx500 from a Oldsmobile dealer...I couldn’t count the number of times I had to go on the sidewalks to go around the triple parked trucks and taxis...i will take Bear mtn anytime..

ampm7 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 15, 2020, 03:16:48 PM »

When I am traveling on the motorcycle from San Diego area up north through Los Angeles ("smellA" as we used to call it) to the Central coast or Monterrey/Petaluma, I leave at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning. The only time when it is somewhat safe to transit. There is an HOV lane for a lot of the way but the big bugaboo is the 101 Ventura freeway. If there is any kind of a wreck, the whole freeway is shut down as there is really a very small shoulder. I remember in 1972 when I was leaving my job in Hollywood and going to my guitar lesson in Canoga Park (famous guitarist Ted Greene) I got onto the freeway near Franklin and there was nobody on it! So, I took my Mercedes and zig-zagged across all the lanes racer style for a few miles until I caught up to the other traffic. There had been a horrendous wreck and the whole freeway was blocked off. Coming back you want to transit the 101 between 12 noon and 1 o'clock during the week preferably Tues -Thurs. Once north of Santa Barbara things get a lot better. There not a lot of 4 lane divided roads in Cal but there is 395 to Bishop and Mammoth...Love that road, nice pavement!

bad Chad · « **Reply #14 on:** July 15, 2020, 03:21:55 PM »

“Hey you dam kids, get off my lawn!”

Ncdan · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2020, 03:52:37 PM »

When I was coming back from Atlanta GA Monday from picking up the little bike I found out pretty quick that if I attempted to travel just 8 or 10 over I’d get ran over from behind. Soooo I ran 80+ like the majority. Yes, obeying the law on that highway is hazardous for all the motor vehicle traffic. I’m not saying bad or good just being realistic.

Tom · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2020, 04:02:39 PM »

101 in L.A. is fun during rush hour.

TodkaVonic · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2020, 04:18:03 PM »

I rarely ride interstates. Maybe just to quickly get to a better starting point for a longer ride, but that's about it. And it's not so much about bad drivers or traffic as it is about high winds/exposure and that I'll-never-be-100%-comfortable-riding-with-a-semi-next-to-me feeling. There are too many great two lane highways and amazing curvy county roads around southwest Wisconsin to bother with the freeways.

John A · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2020, 04:38:26 PM »

I remember I-20 between Shreveport and Dallas as being interesting. Semis would get together and run 110 or better. I would get behind a group about 300 yards back and smell for hot rubber, in case one was about to sling a tread. They knew where the speed cops were, Otherwise not much nonsense, seems like thirty years ago the drivers were a little more professional. Now it’s everybody for themselves but I still get a good response if I can show some curtesy unless they are not paying attention which is the norm for car drivers

Lannis · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2020, 05:24:06 PM »

Quote from: Tom on July 15, 2020, 02:40:43 PM

Sometimes you have to take the Interstate.

YOU might. I don't have to take them, haven't had the bike on an Interstate in years, including our 7500 miles round-the-country trip.

NO one "has" to take them. Some choose to live in a place or ride at a pace where they FEEL that they "have to", but they don't really. It's just that they feel that riding on the Interstate, no matter how bad it is, is better than the alternatives ....

Lannis

Tom · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2020, 05:47:33 PM »

Okay...for me sometimes "I have to take the interstate." You happy.

Good point though....."I have to take a airplane ride if I want to ride my SP1000 or Cal 1400T."

LowRyter · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2020, 07:20:38 PM »

Quote from: Tom on July 15, 2020, 05:47:33 PM

Okay...for me sometimes "I have to take the interstate." You happy. Good point though....."I have to take a airplane ride if I want to ride my SP1000 or Cal 1400T."

I get it.

PeteS · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2020, 07:33:29 PM »

My commute to work is about 13 miles, 11 of which can be expressway. Lately traffic is down due to the pandemic but speeds keep on ramping up. Half is posted 65 mph but you better be doing at least 80 in the right lane or now even 85. Cars still going by in the left lane. Before things got shut down it was like a restrictor plate Nascar race with everyone running bumper to bumper drafting. I have no problem with speed having done dozens of track days but I doubt most people out there have their racing license.

Pete

Tom · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2020, 08:05:32 PM »

We have the reverse out on this side of the island. The State finally put the funds in to expand the 2 lane highway to a 4 lane highway.

or you'd think it would be a reason to celebrate. Most people out here "can't handle it". Driving in the left lane while blocking the traffic flow. 2 semi-tractor/trailers in both lanes going the same speed. Delivery 3 Ton truck doing the same thing.

It's like they never drove on a multi-lane highway.

larrys · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2020, 08:20:24 AM »

I 95 and Rt 2 aren't too bad in my AO. Onliest place where my Monster can stretch its legs... Secondary roads are decent but there always seems to be a cage driving 5 mph under the limit in a no passing zone.
Larry

tris · « **Reply #25 on:** July 16, 2020, 08:26:20 AM »

I was on a motorway near here the other day in strong crosswinds, pouring rain and reduced visibility so down to 50mph just to keep it in the lane while all the "SUPER DRIVERS" blasted past at 85 plus

Rest assured I had my eye on the rear view mirror all the time

I don't like motorways!

80CX100 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 16, 2020, 08:56:51 AM »

I agree, I hate riding on the freeway, especially in or around the cities.

I always like to have an escape route when I'm riding, the freeways make that really challenging, when sh*t happens, there's no where to go.

In 1980 I rode my XS1100 back and forth from Ottawa every weekend to SW Ontario, while attending the police college in Aylmer, the 401 highway runs right through the middle of Toronto, depending on the traffic and weather it was a 6-8- or 10 hr ride.

The closest I ever came to death on a bike was riding home early one Friday afternoon, it was about 2:00 pm, as the op described, 8 lanes of traffic went from 70 mph to parked, instantly; nobody was expecting it, we were all lucky to get stopped, I had no time to line up an escape route straddling the lane markers. I watched my mirrors in horror as the car in behind me locked it up, fishtailed in a tire smoking screeching halt ending up 6 inches from my back wheel.

A change of shorts and I continued home unscathed; To this day, I'll ride an extra 100 miles around a city if I have to, rather than get on the freeway.

Ride safe and tc

Kelly

travelingbyguzzi · « **Reply #27 on:** July 16, 2020, 08:58:52 AM »

Sometimes. ya gotta ride where ya gotta ride. The OP was doing a chore which demands a specific route. Alternative routes for him are a big time sink.
My pre-- evening commute is so bad that many times I leave the bike at work and drive the giant utility truck home. If I can't leave Kirkland, WA by a specific time, it is possible to sit in traffic until the bike overheats. There is one section of 405 SB that I often ride down the wide shoulder.
I really want WA state to allow lane splitting or shoulder riding in specific areas.

Lannis · « **Reply #28 on:** July 16, 2020, 09:18:45 AM »

Quote from: Tom on July 15, 2020, 05:47:33 PM

Okay...for me sometimes "I have to take the interstate." You happy. Good point though....."I have to take a airplane ride if I want to ride my SP1000 or Cal 1400T."

Yep, I'm sort of quibbling about the phrase "Have To".

Look at it this way. I love to ride motorcycles, and I hate to ride on Interstates and in the cities. So if that is my TOP priority, then that's the way I organize and live my life.

1) I don't want to have a nightmare commute, THEREFORE I give up the career opportunities afforded by living in or near a huge city, and I live in a place where I could safely commute by motorcycle. As a result, I was never going to be wealthy, but I've got what I need and I'm happily retired.

2) I don't want to be ride-limited by 126 degree heat, or -40 degF terrible winters, so I don't live in a place where that happens. I live in a place where I can ride safely 220 out of 250 working days every year, and enjoy the ride.

3) I chose my life partner who understands what's important to me, so I don't get wheedled, hinted, or outright ordered to live in some place that SHE wants to live that I DON'T want to live. And if you choose right, neither of you give up anything.

4) On a long trip, NO ONE "has to" get on an Interstate. Look at JB's old ride reports here or in the MGNOC News. He'd ride from Wisconsin down to Florida to have lunch, stop by Texas to say "Hi", and be home for work the next day, and never get on an Interstate at all. Fay and I were at the Grand Canyon, and after we looked at it we said "Let's get back home to Virginia, my eyes are full, I can't see no more", we headed East (no GPS or cell, just a Rand-McNally) and saw "Start of US60". We said, "Hey, lets take that, it goes right by the house" and 2800 miles later we were home.

It's fine to say "That's just fanaticism, no normal person will prioritize their life like that" and I might very well agree ... but you can, I have, and I know that you haven't "Got To Do" nothin' .... !!

That's my story an' I'm stickin' to it ...

Lannis

Ncdan · « **Reply #29 on:** July 16, 2020, 12:03:06 PM »

Quote from: Lannis on July 16, 2020, 09:18:45 AM

Yep, I'm sort of quibbling about the phrase "Have To".

Look at it this way. I love to ride motorcycles, and I hate to ride on Interstates and in the cities. So if that is my TOP priority, then that's the way I organize and live my life.

1) I don't want to have a nightmare commute, THEREFORE I give up the career opportunities afforded by living in or near a huge city, and I live in a place where I could safely commute by motorcycle. As a result, I was never going to be wealthy, but I've got what I need and I'm happily retired.

2) I don't want to be ride-limited by 126 degree heat, or -40 degF terrible winters, so I don't live in a place where that happens. I live in a place where I can ride safely 220 out of 250 working days every year, and enjoy the ride.

3) I chose my life partner who understands what's important to me, so I don't get wheedled, hinted, or outright ordered to live in some place that SHE wants to live that I DON'T want to live. And if you choose right, neither of you give up anything.

4) On a long trip, NO ONE "has to" get on an Interstate. Look at JB's old ride reports here or in the MGNOC News. He'd ride from Wisconsin down to Florida to have lunch, stop by Texas to say "Hi", and be home for work the next day, and never get on an Interstate at all. Fay and I were at the Grand Canyon, and after we looked at it we said "Let's get back home to Virginia, my eyes are full, I can't see no more", we headed East (no GPS or cell, just a Rand-McNally) and saw "Start of US60". We said, "Hey, lets take that, it goes right by the house" and 2800 miles later we were home.

It's fine to say "That's just fanaticism, no normal person will prioritize their life like that" and I might very well agree ... but you can, I have, and I know that you haven't "Got To Do" nothin' .... !!

That's my story an' I'm stickin' to it ...

Lannis

Yes you do Lannis, die and pay taxes 🤣😂😂🤣👍👍

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Author Topic: Riding On the Freeway Is No Fun (Read 5324 times)

GeorgiaGuzzi