Sand & Gravel Alert

[Admin]

Dawgs & Dawgetts, as we emerge from what was a rather harsh winter, I've been observing a lot of sand & gravel on the roads around KC. Also, the pot holes are multiplying like bunnies. Take care on the roads and watch for extra hazards. If you've ever cornered too fast on sand, you know what I'm talking about.

[Dennis D]

Make sure you stay back extra far from the vehicle in front of you, so you have some extra time to decide how to react and which way to go to avoid potholes. If there are potholes and sand in the same area you won't be able to swerve suddenly to avoid them, and there are plenty around my area that you certainly wouldn't want to hit, because they could swallow a whole 10" scooter wheel easily. I don't think you could make it through them with most scooters.

[Charlie]

Here in the Zarks the roads are heaving badly and potholes with rock beneath them are lurking to yank your butt down to the pavement. I have encountered these in the past on my BMW and barely survived to tell it. Heed the above warnings and you will survive.

[fulltimerart]

Good heads up there Dawg, I have noticed some stray gravel on the roads around here, usually where you least expect it---really gotta keep a sharp eye out. We had a pretty good winter so we at least dont have many potholes. Art

[earlwb]

A number of years ago, I hit a slick spot and dropped my bike, literally in my driveway, at night, coming home from work. Busted my knee wide open when i slammed it into the pavement. That was a day where it was cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon, so I didn't put on my overpants for protection. My riding jacket has a few scuff marks and a couple of small holes in two of the pockets, my helmet had a scuff mark on it too, my boot got a nasty scuff mark on it too, the boot was pinned under the bike, and I had to sort of pull my foot out of the boot to get loose.
Anyway, the construction company, had used a chain paint scraper to remove the painted line near the curb. That left a lot of little tiny asphalt balls about 1/32" - 1/64" in diameter all over. In the driveway, there was a triangular patch of the stuff in the middle. Totally invisible at night in the dark. It took me completely by surprise.
It took about a year before my knee started feeling OK again.

[Leader]

I had a little sliding action here in New England today. I read somewhere that motorcyclists with off road experience are less likely to be involved in accidents on the street. Perhaps it's because they have experience dealing with loose surfaces.

[Dennis D]

The long ride I took last week before the weather went all to hell, had a lot of places where there was a whole bunch of sand and gravel in what normally would be 25 to 40 mph curves and esses. Not sure if it was left from winter sanding or spilled from trucks headed to construction sites, but I'm glad I wasn't going down that road the first time at night. It wasn't a problem, but I went through them all at 10-12mph less than what I normally would. Riders need to realize that sand will affect two wheelers lots more than cars, and the problem is people in cars really close up on you in those situations, since it's less of a problem to them. So be doubly careful in those curves with sand, because the cagers will run you over if you go down!

[ksuflash]

Plenty of potholes, cinders, sand, gravel, and salt still on Ohio roads.

-ksu