Tips For Riding in Fog!

With the weather in Anchorage, being what it’s being (heavy fog advisory for three days), I’ve been riding in the fog and I have to say it has not been one of my favorite motorcycling activities.

So I decided to share some tips on riding in fog for my fellow riders and to share some of my observations to help ensure a better or safer way to travel in this weather hazard.

  • An immediate concern about riding in the fog is the misting of your helmet face shield & windshield. The vapor the fog puts on the face shield/windshield is very fine and does not normally roll off like rain drops. The water vapor in thick fog does not bead up and run off like rain. It does bead up, but they are tiny beads and they tend not to run. Be ready to have to pull over to wipe the mist away with a glove or rag. Depending on how thick the fog is expect it to come right back to obscure your vision. Also be aware that the mist will identify any streaks or obstructions that may not have been noticed before.
  • Should you decide to use a rag, try to use a clean area as the mist will be attracted to any dust or other contaminants. It could be better to just let the mist remain as opposed to wiping off the visor/windshield!
  • Obviously visibility to other traffic is diminished considerably. One strategy is to ride behind the car in front of you and stay with it while in the fog. Oncoming traffic as well as traffic from the rear can better see a car with it’s lights on than a motorcycle with its lights on. The drawback would be the dreaded pile-up, so stay alert for such a situation.
  • In Anchorage, be extra careful of the ‘rubberized’ strips as the water will make it extremely slick on turns & braking.
  • Remember your wet weather gear. While it may seem that it’s dry enough, you will become wet from the vapor. Remember that the vapor that is on the visor/windshield is also collecting on all exposed areas of the bike & you!
  • Lastly, avoid using your high beam or passing lamps in fog (especially at night) as that this tends to hamper your visibility even more. The light reflects off of the water droplets in the fog and the glare is worse with the more light used, decreasing visibility.
  • Riding in fog is taxing, more so than riding in bright sunshine so take it easy.

It’s better to arrive late than to not arrive at all!

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September 16, 2010 · Filed Under Biker, Road Reports

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While It’s Warm Enough, Is It Worth The Risk?

In the last few days, I’ve seen more & more people riding on two wheels. Because of this I want to remind everyone who is riding & thinking of riding what I tell myself.

It’s still risky out there!

While the weather has been cooperating, the roads have been dry on main thoroughfares & highways…we are still at the mercy of the inherent dangers of winter driving:

Gravel and other debris as well as the fact that drivers aren’t looking out for motorcycles!

Oh…did I mention that it is still WINTER & so the precipitation can still be of a more “solid” nature (think of last weekend people)?

In taking my bike out to ride in the late afternoon & evenings I am noticing how the drivers or passengers are shocked to see a motorcyclist on the street. I even had one passenger roll down her window and yell “Go for it you crazy son of a bitch!”

This weekend is the Alaska Motorcycle Dealers Association 17th Annual Custom Cycle Show, & so many people will be taking their respective motorcycles out to show off to the community that they will risk riding for the simple sake of the “coolness” status it brings.

So again I’d like to point out that if you’re going to ride, be extra careful and alert.

I know that the last thing any motorcycle rider wants it to lay their bike down before the riding season even begins!

Knowing yourself well enough that you are leaving the bike home because the risks are too great is, in my mind, way cooler that riding for the sake of vanity.

Enjoy yourselves & we’ll see you on the road….

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April 3, 2010 · Filed Under General, Road Reports

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The Weather Is Still Holdin Up!

For those who travel Alaska know that by September we are usually starting to see thing like FROST or even the S word (I’m not saying it now for fear oif it showing up).

This year we have had one of the best riding seasons I’ve experienced in some time.

Last year was miserable both from a weather and injured perspective.

While we have been having some isolated showers in the area, they have mostly been in the late evenings & short to say the least.

I am so digging the length of time that the fall colors are staying around (it’s usually about two to three weeks).

Hopefully this will keep up for a while.

Alaskan Bikers for Global Warming!!!!!

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September 18, 2009 · Filed Under General, Road Reports

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Celebrating Memorial Day

img_3104a.jpg Was again part of the annual VNV M/C’s memorial day run at the Alaska Veterans Memorial at Beyer’s Lake.

The Day was great, the ceremony stellar and the reuniting with friends the best.

More pictures forthcoming…in the menatime enjoy my Memorial Day writeup on my regular blog: http://www.leray.us/nukem/2009/05/25/on-this-memorial-dayon-this-memorial-day/721

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May 25, 2009 · Filed Under Biker, General, Road Reports

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We’re Riding!

DSCN0364.JPG As is with each spring, we motorcyclists are back on the road in droves. While I write to inform the automobile drivers, I want to also remind my exuberant motorcyclists to be watchful for the many road conditions out there.

  • Gravel - remember that the roads are NOT swept yet and corners, parking lots, shoulders and center strips are still ripe with the stuff.
  • Ice/Snow – shocking, but there is still places that the ice & snow have not melted or if it has it refreezes when the temperature is right.
  • Black Ice – as above, black ice is still out there. Watch for low spots, covered roadways and so on.
  • Unaware drivers – let’s face it…drivers are not yet expecting to see motorcyclists so don’t be surprised that they are not watching for you.
  • Ash – ash? Yes ASH. It creates a different type of dust cloud for you to ride in so be aware of it’s inherent challenges for you and your machine.

Is there more (animals, kids, terrorism)? Absolutely…but for right now, these are the most prevalent for the returning Alaska rider.

Be safe, have fun & we’ll see you on the road!

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April 20, 2009 · Filed Under General, Road Reports

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2009 AMCDA Bike Show

This year’s show was great, all things considered.

The long winter, economic downturn, and an active volcano did not stop motorcycle enthuisiasts from coming to see all the new bikes or sign up for an ABATE MSF safety course.

We even had some very brave souls ride on two wheels to the event!

This year saw more work for me as I worked for ABATE, the AMCDA and squeezed in a radio broadcast from the show! To show you how tiring that was, one of our Dawgs had a birthday party Saturday night and I was out on the couch before 8pm!

Turnout numbers were the same as last year and I believe that was due to the weather (there was still lots of ice and snow, and it snowed three inches Saturday night). After all how can you really get into motorcycles when there’s ice and snow outside?

Regardless, for those that attended it was fun and seeing old friends I hadn’t seen since the accident as well as them seeing me up and walking made the fellowship touching. Enjoy my pictures and we’ll see you on the road REAL SOON!

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April 3, 2009 · Filed Under General, Road Reports

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