From the July issue of Thunder Roads – Michigan
It’s been said that expressway travel is safest (sure beats intersections), but there are still many things to watch for. I’m so very fortunate to have married a “what if” guy, someone who looks at all possible angles, especially when it comes to safety on the road. His forty years of experience on two wheels has opened my eyes to so many more possible hazards. With several more months left in the season, below are some things to keep in mind when cruising the expressways on that next road trip:
Utility Trailers – Are you following someone pulling a utility trailer that’s loaded down like the Clampetts? Get out from behind it. You have no idea how well these people tied (or didn’t tie) everything down.
Boats – Last year heading north on I-75, a boat’s cover blew off in front of us. Luckily, we were far enough behind it (keywords here being “far enough behind it”) that it hit the pavement and blew to the shoulder before we were draped in potential disaster. Get out from behind it. If no boat cover, did they secure their tubes and lifejackets inside the boat? You don’t want to find out the hard way they didn’t.
RVs/Travel Trailers – Kids’ bikes tied to the back? Yep. Get the hell out from behind it. I get chills whenever I see one, just envisioning the thing hitting a bump and Junior’s bicycle sailing through the air onto a motorcycle.
Cars – Is the hoopty in front of you about to drop it’s muffler or is anything loose and flapping in the wind? You guessed it! Don’t follow the thing!
And, going back to MSF class, obviously give yourself time to react in any of the above situations by not following too closely, if you can’t change lanes right away. Seasoned riders may know all this, but if these points help one new rider avoid an accident, the time they spent reading this is worth it.
Have a blast on your next road trip and ride safe out there!