Almost crashed today

[Cormanus]

Geez, Mr T. I'm pleased to hear you got through that OK too. These stories always make me wonder how I'd go in similar circumstances, Lacking your experience, not as well, I expect.

Traffic engineers like roundabouts in this country. They use small ones in all sorts of odd places, like residential areas, as what they delightfully call "traffic calming devices". Not sure they always work to achieve that.

I live not far from one of Australia's premier tourist beaches, Noosa. The local government there believes traffic lights should be spurned and instead have gone enthusiastically for roundabouts to the extent that the local joke is that "Noosa is aboriginal for roundabout."

I get lots of practice!

Anyway, glad you're OK.

[Tortuga_imp]

Geez, Mr T. I'm pleased to hear you got through that OK too. These stories always make me wonder how I'd go in similar circumstances, Lacking your experience, not as well, I expect.

Traffic engineers like roundabouts in this country. They use small ones in all sorts of odd places, like residential areas, as what they delightfully call "traffic calming devices". Not sure they always work to achieve that.

I live not far from one of Australia's premier tourist beaches, Noosa. The local government there believes traffic lights should be spurned and instead have gone enthusiastically for roundabouts to the extent that the local joke is that "Noosa is aboriginal for roundabout."

I get lots of practice!

Anyway, glad you're OK.

Thanks, I live in an area similarly peppered with the things. They're actually seen over here as a bit of a bonus for bikers due to the fact they're an endless corner, in effect.

I also have a slip road system near me which allows riders to perpetually loop 'left'.
Each summer we normally lose one or two bikers on this small intersection as it becomes 'knee down heaven' for all the wannabe heroes from May to September.

As to how you'd cope in a near off; I think if you just repeat in your head when in a corner the Keith Code mantra:

"Once the throttle is cracked open, it is rolled on evenly, smoothly, and constantly throughout the remainder of the turn".

Also, it's worth learning how to overcome your body's 'survival reactions' which scream at you to brake, sit the bike up mid turn and generally bail out of the corner.

This is what causes so many fatalities as riders panic, yank the bike upright and either run off the road into something hard and concrete-flavoured, or hit oncoming traffic head on.

I watched a video on a youtube where a motorcyclist was hot by another bikes who over ran the corner in just this manner.

In slow, out fast was what I was always taught.

Maybe we should have a 'riding techniques' section on the forum where old lags can share their experience with the newer riders.

[The Spaceman_imp]

I hit diesel once in the toll booth lane. It was slick as snot. But not as slick as the antifreeze my Concours 1000 dumped on the rear tire when a radiator hose broke. I was in an Interstate exit ramp and the bike slid and slipped like it was on ice. That'll never happen with the CB!

[redbirds_imp]

Nice save indeed Tortuga. Diesel is nasty stuff.

A diesel spill can be bad no matter what you're driving. I hit a spill whilst turning into a car park in my pickup. Went completely sideways even at that slow speed.

I like roundabouts and the few in my area have greatly relieved traffic congestion. Main problem around here is the way some folks panic when they enter one.

[The Spaceman_imp]

Nice save indeed Tortuga. Diesel is nasty stuff.

A diesel spill can be bad no matter what you're driving. I hit a spill whilst turning into a car park in my pickup. Went completely sideways even at that slow speed.

I like roundabouts and the few in my area have greatly relieved traffic congestion. Main problem around here is the way some folks panic when they enter one.

They're becoming more popular here too, but as you said, a lot of drivers have no idea how to use them. They stop like they're at a 4-way, or they blow thru without regard to right of way. Just once I just want to see the Griswold's go by in the Family Truckster.

[the Ferret]

We first encountered roundabouts on our mc tour in Europe. We quickly became accustomed to them and they seemed to work out well with one exception...the Aussies in the group kept wanting to turn left into the roundabout instead of right lol.

Much better than a group coming to a complete stop at every intersection.

[Capo]

New Jersey is the circle Capitol of the US, and I grew up navigating them. Many have been around for 70 years, and in many instances, still provide benefits to traffic flow. Some, however, have long outlived their utility. Some drivers are clueless as to the rules, but all in all, I like them.

[Tortuga_imp]

Nice save indeed Tortuga. Diesel is nasty stuff.

A diesel spill can be bad no matter what you're driving. I hit a spill whilst turning into a car park in my pickup. Went completely sideways even at that slow speed.

I like roundabouts and the few in my area have greatly relieved traffic congestion. Main problem around here is the way some folks panic when they enter one.

You're not wrong there buddy! For the uninitiated, I've seen people slip over on their arses on diesel at the fuel pumps. It doesn't dry like petrol (gas) it just sits there like a slippery nipple until it's washed away by rain.

Worst of all is when it rains after a long dry spell, all the oil, rubber and other crap is lifted off the road surface and forms a skin of lubricant!

We first encountered roundabouts on our mc tour in Europe. We quickly became accustomed to them and they seemed to work out well with one exception...the Aussies in the group kept wanting to turn left into the roundabout instead of right lol.

Much better than a group coming to a complete stop at every intersection.

I have the same problem when driving in Europe. I was I Germany earlier this year and had to concentrate like crazy to stop 'reverting to type'.

New Jersey is the circle Capitol of the US, and I grew up navigating them. Many have been around for 70 years, and in many instances, still provide benefits to traffic flow. Some, however, have long outlived their utility. Some drivers are clueless as to the rules, but all in all, I like them.

Me too, I just don't like the crap they're sloshed in!

[Red Mist_imp]

Cap'n Kidd don't like 'em and he is hard to convince.

[Elipten_imp]

In light traffic areas they are okay. In heavy traffic areas they are dangerous.


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