Tar snakes...Why??

Dude I pulled over in amboy today after I unknowlingly hit some tar snakes. I thought I had a front flat. They had to have been new because it was a corner I've hit many times without issue. Oh and Wtf was up with all that gravel in that fresh paved section of switchbacks?

 

I know the history of tar snakes. If you lean too far on them, they'll bite.

 

Tar Snakes are listed as a protected species under the Environmental Protection Act. They cannot be tampered with. If you encountered them in a pile, it means that they are breeding so do not interfere or hinder their mating ritual or you will face severe noodle lashing.

If DOTs throw anything at them or attempt to lay them, they could become violent and attack.

The AMA has historically just filmed them for their personal (say brown chicken, brown cow fast) gratification at a later point in time.

Annually they only breed at the most inconvenient time for motorcyclists.

Hope this helps. If it doesn't drink another beer, cause I will be.

 

yeah hit some they had SANDED on a road - eff that better off to have NO SAND on them it just makes them WORSE

 

Because the various DOT's and county road departments are trying to spend the tax dollars they receive in the most cost effective manner possible. I hate them with a passion, but if the authorities asked for enough money to do a proper job they'll get crucified. They're basically a way to hold a road together and delay more expensive repairs. Chip seal is the same way. Cheaper than a proper job.

 

yeah but hell on bike tires - chip seal doesnt chew car/truck tires up as bad as supersport bike tires

 

I almost bit it today turning R to continue onto 503 in Amboy (by the old torn down school). I don't know if it's the newness, or some tar snakes are of a different composition/thickness but while leaned into the turn my front tire slipped on one of those f*ckers and I thought that was it.

Luckily stayed upright to my surprise...they shouldn't be allowed to do this sloppy shit....pouring about 1/2 gallon of tar on cracks 1/8" wide is just total bullshit. In this day and age of technology, there should be a way to make a machine that would use laser sights or electronic eyes to precisely inject a proper amount of tar directly into the cracks...not this half-assed, sloppy overkill that serves zero purpose except for endangering motorcyclists.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!

 

Right at the end of that section of road where its a 90 degree right and there's that other road that continues onto it from the left is where I had my moment. Except I was coming back so it was a left hand turn for me.

All the tarsnakes on that stretch were greasey as shit though. I could feel the whole bike wiggle under me in the straights.

 

Think its bad now? At least you can see them. Wait until the rainy season starts. You get that thin film of water on the road, you can't see them. They're a hell of a lot more slippery too. That's about the same time those large (steel) manhole covers start getting slick.

 

The first 90 you run the centerline to stay away from them and on the second one you hug the fogline (heading out of Amboy towards Cougar). Hmm I may have that backwards though (I do that sometimes).:scared

 

Yep, my buddy and I were up there on Wednesday and we were both looking down to check our tires and commented about it at the Chelatchie gas stop. I almost went wide on that section, right into a truck. That used to be a fun corner.

 

This is my beautiful '08 CBR1000RR a few minutes after the accident. I could go on and on about tar snakes. It was in a hot afternoon in Ukiah, OR this past June (fantastic roads btw as everyone who rides them knows).

We were whipping along the backroads having a terrific time when I felt the front end getting light. All in a flash --these things happen quick--I tried to analyze what the problem might be: low tire pressure, suspension, ???. Weirdly, I never noticed the tar snakes although they were big as life and greasy as hell. I just didn't see them. There were two fat snakes running parallel to the road, I lost the front on one snake and again on the other, then I am in the gravel, a little panic:shock:, a little target fixation...and then into the ditch. That was like being shot out of a circus cannon. Luckily a tree was growing in the ditch to slow me down:x. Bike stopped, I flew (I am told) 30+ feet and landed flat on my back. Miraculously, I escaped without a single scratch.

I should have known better. I do know better. But thats how shit happens at high speeds. The tar snakes caught me by surprise but I attribute the crash to rider error.

 

im not a big fan either but tar snakes and chip seal are not repairs. they are preventative maintenance. they stop moisture from leaking into the surface and ruining the pavement from the inside. if the road is total shit they re-do it.

 

they arent dangerous if you are going the speed limit :ninja:

 

ooohhhh! that was the problem! next time I won't try to keep up with you.....at least on sketchy roads...

 

hey i never said i obeyed the speed limit, it is merely a suggestion!!