Motorcycle touring through a foreign country transcends you from tourist to adventurer. The experience is both cathartic and epic. The exposure and inherent danger of motorcycle riding is a part of what makes the experience. By following some systematic steps, you can diminish the danger and have an experience that you will treasure for life.
Lanes reverse from the US standard in most foreign countries, this will require you to ride on the LEFT hand side of the road. Understand there is no margin for error when it comes to entering the wrong lane. Many riders have been killed by just a momentary lapse in lane judgement. This is absolutely avoidable and key step in motorcycle safety.
Put a small fluorescent sticker in the shape of an arrow on your LEFT rear view mirror. Put one on your gas tank near the gas lid as well that points LEFT. If you wear your watch on your left wrist or have a wedding ring, remember to say to yourself that those items are always to be on the SHOULDER side of the road. These are simple cues that become a daily mantra and will keep you doing the right thing.
When you are driving on the LEFT watch RIGHT at intersections. Give way to vehicles coming through the intersection at your right. Also, give yourself some extra time at the intersections to look in all directions. Traffic and people are coming at you in new ways.
Taking right hand turns to enter the left hand traffic lane takes some getting used to. Initially, make a habit of coming to a stop, waiting and looking to see your path of travel before entering the turn. You simply need to be a little more conscientious, NOT hesitant.
Leave at least two seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. Realize that sites will distract you even when you are barreling down a twisty mountain road. Give plenty of braking space, this is a commandment of motorcycle safety whether at home or in a foreign country.
Use your eyes and scan way ahead; pay attention to the oncoming traffic. Most freeways in the countryside are one lane in each direction. Be aware that other tourists can make a lane mistake when they leave a gas station and enter the freeway, for example.
Mind your lane location. I tend to ride on the shoulder side of the road when the freeway is one lane in each direction. This helps limit wind blasts from oncoming traffic and keeps me away from flying debris. Consider staying on the shoulder side in long turns with blind corners. Car drivers commonly drift over the lane during turns on these smaller roads.
Make a plan for mountain passes where the road narrows from two lanes to nearly one and you encounter blind corners. Aside from going slow, which is advised, you can let some vehicles pass you and effectively make them your blocking fullback. I love doing this, your safe passage is guaranteed.
Be familiar with the road construction process of the country. Not everyone uses asphalt pavement, though it may look like pavement in a photograph. Many countries use pebble aggregate mix in their road paving system. The excess pebbles are all over the shoulder and can be found in a lot of CORNERS. You may have to spend your trip easing off the throttle more than you would like to.
Join a tour group if you feel nervous about handling the challenge on your own or just feel like relaxing and following the lead of someone else. If you plan to tour South America, Africa, South Africa or other countries with great populations of poor people and unstable governments, think about joining a tour group for sure. This is will help keep you safe when you are off the road.
This post belongs to Motorbike
Motorcycles
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu