Saw this and was wondering..

Message

uley · #1 Unread post by **uley** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:25 pm

Was driving my truck back from Chicago to Milwaukee- there is construction going on just north of Chicago - anyway before a toll booth I had to make a lane change to get to the appropriate booth - the lane I was in was new black top as was the lane next to me - there had to be at least an inch difference if not more between lanes - the lane I was in in other words was higher up than the lane I switched too - it was noticeable enough to startle me in my truck - would have to imagine that could be very uncomfortable on a bike - couldnt see it real well either since both lanes were newly black toped and blended in - also traffic all around me was going at leat 75mph so on a bike I would have had to hit this fast - any thoughts on how to do this - is it just simply merge when I had to and the difference in lanes wont make a diff? Is this a dangerous situation? Slow down ?

jstark47 · #2 Unread post by **jstark47** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:39 pm

I take these purposefully - accelerate and turn as sharply into them as I can. Trying to "ease" over them will just upset the bike. Accelerating lightens the front end. The wonderful buffoons from NJ DOT left some last year between my entrance ramp and the main road that were a couple of inches high - I was fine as long as I didn't try to pussyfoot across them.

jonnythan · #3 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 3:56 pm

Yup.. accelerate a bit as you turn and hit them as directly as possible.

Shorts · #4 Unread post by **Shorts** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:15 pm

For some reason this sticks out in my mind.."greater than 45* angle" when going over an uneven surface change.

But I echo above sentiments, hit it as directly/perpendicular as possible and do it with authority.

flynrider · #5 Unread post by **flynrider** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:54 pm

Odd that there were no signs. I've encountered this situation pretty much anywhere that there was repaving going on. They usually repave a lane or 2 at a time, so it's not unusual to have to "step up" to the newly paved side. Generally where this is happening, they'll put up signs that say "uneven pavement" or it'll just have a graphic depiction of the step next to a car's tires.

Can't agree more with the advice to make your lane change agressive. If you try to do it slowly, your bike's tires may bouce off the step instead of hopping over it. That'll be a wobble you won't soon forget

BTDT

koji52 · #6 Unread post by **koji52** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:21 am

jstark47 wrote:I take these purposefully - accelerate and turn as sharply into them as I can. Trying to "ease" over them will just upset the bike. Accelerating lightens the front end. The wonderful buffoons from NJ DOT left some last year between my entrance ramp and the main road that were a couple of inches high - I was fine as long as I didn't try to pussyfoot across them.

I remember that time...295 was like that all the way up through ewing area.