Ride Safe in the Rains
2013v
The first showers have hit the city and here are a few
points for all of us to keep in mind for a wonderful riding season.
1. Invest in good gear- there is no substitute for good
riding wear. A jacket with adequate padding at the shoulders and elbow and
preferably on the back as well. Inner body armor like the kind made by Icon or
Dainese would definitely be an added plus. Knee guards and above-ankle shoes,
should be almost mandatory. Jackets come with detachable inner waterproof
liners, make sure you carry them, the HD Sling Bag can do just that. If you
examine good gloves, you will find they have a 'squeegee' kind of ridge on the
thumbs that works wonderfully to clear muck and grit on the windshield.
Riding while wet and cold is one of the surest ways to fall sick- therefore it is imperative that you are adequately geared to ride comfortably.
Riding while wet and cold is one of the surest ways to fall sick- therefore it is imperative that you are adequately geared to ride comfortably.
2. Clean your gear- send your jackets and body wear for
wash, along with your helmets inner liners. Look up the cleaning instructions
for your gloves and similarly for your shoes. In case of an emergency clean
gear makes it easier to remove and not to mention healthier for your own
selves.
3. Mumbai has been hit by the first rains this morning-
RAINBOW PATCHES- on the road are what you should look out for and study them on
your way to and from work… The initial rains will eke out the sludge left
behind by vehicles and all the oil and grease accumulated from last monsoon
will surface- making the first week of riding in Mumbai a very tricky affair.
The emergence of bubbles on the tire marks left by vehicles ahead of you is
also another sure shot indicator of the surfactants and detergents added to
fuels and indicating a very high 'slippery' quotient to the roads.
This not only will happen in the first week of monsoons, but also to a smaller degree in the first 10-15 minutes of every downpour through the season, so be careful- pull over and stop, get your rain gear on, and let the rains wash off the crud. Ride again.
This not only will happen in the first week of monsoons, but also to a smaller degree in the first 10-15 minutes of every downpour through the season, so be careful- pull over and stop, get your rain gear on, and let the rains wash off the crud. Ride again.
4. Apart from rainbow patches, out government uses a very
dangerous plastic emulsion paint with reflective capabilities to warm you of
junctions, bridge ramps and speed breakers (Some of them atleast)- this plastic
emulsion paint has a very poor coefficient of friction and will result in a
slip or skid when you need traction the most- to slow down or stop. Please ride
aware of these stripes in the city and more so on the highways.
5. Everytime you stop your bike and dismount- you should
keep a cloth handy to clean your headlight, tail light and indicators. You will
be surprised how the road spray hits the hot headlight and almost dries leaving
a layer of dried mud on the glass. Even if you ride 5 mins in the rain, or on a
wet road and dismount, please clean your lights.
6. When you are riding, and you see rainbow patches or small
bubbles in tire marks, please very gently carry out a traction test. Tap both
your brakes simultaneously and see how the bike reacts at the slowest of
speeds. This will allow you to know the condition of the road as well as your
ability to control the bike with the minor shivers that you may experience-
better to know this in advance than to realize that the shiver i going to
result in a complete loss of control.
7. While riding, remember to 'chase a taillight-' this will
simply mean that you do not ride in line with someones number plate- this
allows for two things- one is a good nd clear view of the brake light of the
car in front, and secondly to allow you to swerve right or left to avoid
hitting the car and giving you a precious few seconds to avoid contact or
damage. Given the width of the brake lights these days, you can stay in that
zone and avoid the spray from the cars tires, to a large extent- and if you
think the spray is hindering your progress, you are too close to the car in any
case. Back off.
8. Horizontal and Linear Seperation- is what I remind all
newcomers when they ride for the first time- Do not chase in a line… When
riding in a group, Never chase in a line. Keep in the same lane and ride in a
staggered fashion- so this allows you to see obstruction or hindrance coming up
fast and also what is it that is making the rider in front brake--- and if you
notice its a dog running from right to left, you will know which way the biker
ahead is going to swing to avoid it… and therefore those precious seconds to
ensure your personal safety and that of fellow riders. The distances of H/L
separation is best decided by your earlier checks for rainbows and bubbles- and
of course the traction tests.
9. In turns- we do a few things on dry roads-
a) brake before the turn
b) steady throtte while entering the turn and
c) increasing throttle while lining up for the exit
d) Shifting body weight through all of the aboe steps
while it is raining, or on wet roads, restrict yourself to one of the above at a time- it may sound difficult to do, but even if you are able to remind yourself about it, your riding will be much safer than it used to be. It encourages caution and increases your awareness of the road condition, and almost forces you to pay more attention to turns, and this results in a better and safer ride for you and those with you.
a) brake before the turn
b) steady throtte while entering the turn and
c) increasing throttle while lining up for the exit
d) Shifting body weight through all of the aboe steps
while it is raining, or on wet roads, restrict yourself to one of the above at a time- it may sound difficult to do, but even if you are able to remind yourself about it, your riding will be much safer than it used to be. It encourages caution and increases your awareness of the road condition, and almost forces you to pay more attention to turns, and this results in a better and safer ride for you and those with you.
10. On Group rides, be firm with these rules, they are for
everyones’ safety. Riders who don't adhere to your group riding style, have the
freedom not to ride with you, and also to lead and carry on on their own,
without being an hazard to other riders who wish you have good time, rather
than compete against the clock.
I wish all our riders a safe and wonderful monsoon riding
season, year on year.
Ride safe.
-KD.
-KD.
PS_ written over two years ago- somehow this missed making it to my blog.
