Texas Rider News » Riding Tips

Hot Riding Tips

admin — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:43:48 +0000

Carry plenty of sunscreen.
Carry plenty of fluids. Keep them out of the sunlight. If leaving from home, fill a water bottle the night before and put it in the freezer. Then you’ll have cool water for hours.
Make sure you have good sunglasses to provide ultraviolet light protection for your eyes.
Don’t drink alcohol, and avoid coffee or sodas containing caffeine-these can increase the rate of water loss.
Don’t take salt tablets. They draw water into the stomach instead of distributing it to the rest of the body.
Check with your doctor to see if any medication you are taking increases water loss, and ask whether you can do without it for a few days.
Most importantly, take frequent rest stops. Remember, this is a motorcycle ride, not a forced march.

Passenger Riding 101

admin — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 20:26:21 +0000

No Longer Flying Solo

Many people who have logged thousands of miles as passengers move to the front at some point in their lives. Surely their countless miles on the back have prepared them for becoming the driver?

Guess again!

If you are freshly in the saddle, pull those reigns back on treating your buddy to a ride to celebrate the new license. Before you put anyone on the back of that bike with you, please take some time, lots of time, to practice – and I do mean more than a few minutes. After all, as a new rider you are just now getting the feel of that bike, learning what you are and aren’t comfortable with at this stage. Becoming a confident solo rider takes a lot of practice in itself. It all takes time, people – time, patience and practice. Please allow yourself that time.

Even if you’ve been riding for a while, and haven’t carried yet, understand it puts a whole new light on how that bike handles. Especially braking and turning situations. With an extra load, your lean angles will be dramatically decreased, which means you have to take those turns slower. Your braking distance is substantially increased, which means you have to begin your braking much sooner. So, practice – and please don’t practice in traffic conditions. You’ve all got friends that will get on back with you for a while as a guinea pig, right? Okay, get back out there on that parking lot and get the feel of that extra weight before you find yourself in a dangerous situation you just may not be ready for.

Do you have passenger pegs on your bike? If not, get them before you take on a passenger. Those pegs serve a purpose to two; stability being one, your and the passenger’s safety is another. Incidentally, if your passenger cannot reach the passenger pegs, I strongly suggest you not carry that passenger. Those pegs, while we’re on the subject, are where the passenger’s feet should be all the time. That’s right – all the time. Whether you are moving or come to a complete stop, instruct your passengers to maintain foot contact with those pegs at all times. Why? Stability. The less movement going on behind you, the more stability you have.

OK, you’ve done your pre-ride safety checks, the suspension and tire pressure are where they should be, now you’re ready for the passenger, right? Well, you may be ready, but is your passenger ready? Does your passenger know what’s in the job description of “passenger?”

To start, your passenger should be dressed to ride, not go to the beach! They should leave their feet on the pegs at all times and hold onto your waist. There are a couple of reasons for this. No, one of them is not to make sure they’re still there – although a good point! If your passenger is holding onto your waist there is reduced motion behind you, which can deter from your concentration – yup, it’s that stability thing again. Imagine if you haven’t already experienced this firsthand, what a pain it is to deal with a passenger that’s doing everything but dancing on the sissy bar. Keep it stable back there. It’s best for both of you!

Another reason for the passenger’s hands to be on your waist is simple unspoken communication. What does it tell you when your passenger is holding on so tight the circulation to your feet are fast approaching none? Maybe it’s because you just passed yet another opportunity to hit a bathroom and things are getting tense! It may also well be that they’re nervous, or just downright scared. Pull over, take a break and find out what’s going on and why? Remember, you are responsible for that person’s well being and the safety of both of you.

Make sure your passenger knows to move with you as you move with your bike. You all know what I mean. When we ride solo, we become one with our machines, am I right? And what a grand sensation that is! When our bike leans, we lean – on fluid motion. This is even truer with a passenger who must also become part of that motion. Just have your passenger look over your shoulder in the direction of the turn, easy enough. When you go left, your passenger should be looking over your left shoulder into the turn with you, not fighting your efforts by looking or leaning right or fighting to stay upright.

As motorcyclists we have to know our limits and the risks, understand them and accept them. When we carry passengers, we accept and assume those risks for our passengers as well. Use good judgment and teach your passenger the basics. So whether you are splitting the wind up front or enjoying the wind draft from the back, be careful.
Stay safe, smile and keep the rubber side down!!

Stay Alive on City Streets

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 20:35:01 +0000

Riding our bikes on city street teaches many things. The all time life-saver is:
If you can, never enter an intersection without another vehicle on your right!

If you have to slow down to let a vehicle catch up with you, or increase speed so that you catch up with another vehicle. Having a vehicle on your right side is as safe as it gets for entering an intersection.

By the way, it is safer that the vehicle be on your right than on the left. The closer you can be to the center of the intersection when you go through it, the more distance there is (on an average) between you and somebody that comes at you from either side. This is just another way of saying that if you have to enter the intersection by yourself, do it in the left-most lane.

Hill Country Ride – Bandera Loop

admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 20:34:15 +0000

Ever get that craving for some Texas Hill Country? With the challenging hills and curves and incredible views, how could you resist?

Kerrville is a centrally located base camp which provides easy access to most of the Hill Country. Spring and fall provide the ideal conditions for riding. The summertime can be pleasant in the Hill Country especially riding early or late in the day. Plan on spending the hottest part of the day riding along the Guadalupe, Frio or Medina Rivers.

The Kerrville-Bandera Loop is approximately 170 miles and will take five hours or more to drive depending on sightseeing.

First Leg: Kerrville-Hunt – approximately 18 miles.
Take SR-27 to SR-39. Ride along the Guadalupe notice how often the river has been dammed with low dams to form large swimming pools that seem to invite you to stop and cool off. Go ahead, many people do! The ride along the Guadalupe is the most beautiful and peaceful in the State. It is lined with resorts that offer all kinds of river fun – rafting, swimming, kayaking, white water rapids and picnicking.

Second Leg: Hunt-Vanderpool – approximately 40 miles.
Take WR-39 about 20 miles then head sought on Ranch Road 187. Another 20 miles will bring you to Vanderpool. You will find long curves with gentle hills and lots of pretty ranches. Watch for antelope, ostrich, emu, buffalo and other unusual animals. At the intersection of Hwy 337 and Hwy 187 is the “Lost Maples Country Store” (gas station). Be sure to fill up those tanks, the next gas station is 15 miles in Medina.

Third Leg: Vanderpool-Utopia – approximately 11 miles.
Take Ranch Road 187. You are in the flatland. Watch the blind curves, look out for low water crossings along this route. If it has been raining you might find the river running over the bridges.

Fourth Leg: Utopia – Leakey – approximately 23 miles.
Take Ranch Road 1050 west to Leakey. This route is made up of short, choppy hills and blind curves. Just before you get to US-83 you will cross the Rio Frio (“Cold River”). Great spot for a photo shot. Take a short diversion and turn left onto US-83 about a mile to Garner Park, 9 miles further to Concan and more picture perfect Hill Country scenery.

Fifth Leg: Leakey – Vanderpool – approximately 16 miles.
East on Ranch Road 337 from Leakey. Tip: Leakey is a dry county, the nearest place to purchase beer is 30 miles in either direction. The café opposite the town square will take you back 50 years and serves up real tasty burgers, fries and mild shakes. Head east out of Leakey on RR 337, you will see the most scenic stretches of highway in Texas. Take a break on the top of the 1st major hill, look back across the valley at this spectacular view. The next 16 miles are full of hairpin turns, switchbacks, steep inclines, sheer drop-offs and an occasional house or cottage tucked away on the hillside or hidden in a valley. This will bring you back to “The Lost Maples Country Store.”

Sixth Leg: Vanderpool – Medina – approximately 21 miles.
At the junction of 337 and 187, go south about 1 mile and then east on 337. Not a wild-ride but there are plenty of curves and long steep grades. Enjoy the view of the Paradise Valley on your right. Medina is the apple capital of Texas and if you are there during apple harvest, be prepared to find apples prepared in every way imaginable.

Seventh Leg: Medina – Bandera – approximately 14 miles.
This is relatively flat country with plenty of curves. The road follows a path along the banks of the Medina River. Just across the Medina River Bridge is a good place for a picnic and swim in the river.

Eighth and final leg: Bandera – Kerrville – approximately is 26 miles.
Bandera is “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. Bandera is like a scene from an old Western. Real rodeos with real working cowboys are held weekly during the warmer weather at the “Twin Elm Ranch”. Almost every bar, dancehall and honky-tonk features live music from C & W to Blues. If you are a “Blues” fan a visit to Arkey Blues is a must. Bandera is BBQ Country. You have several choice places to fill up on BBQ and beans to Chicken Fried Steak.

It’s time to head back to Kerrville. This 26 mile run up Ranch Road 173 is filled with hills, curves and wildlife wandering onto the roadway. You have just been on one of the most spectacular back road trips in Texas. Hope you enjoyed the ride and the scenery.

Remember, Ride smart, ride safe, enjoy the view and wind and Stay Alive!

Caught in the Rain

admin — Wed, 11 May 2005 20:32:25 +0000

Spring and summer are no doubt the best time for riding the bike. You have decided to commute to work on the bike during these months. You prefer to ride as long as the weather allows. Furthermore, you can use the HOV lanes, park closer to the office, and save a lot of fuel. Besides, riding the bike is good therapy for the problems of the day. But this afternoon the weather changed, and now you’re headed home on a dark road in a torrential downpour. Thankfully, traffic is moving along, but you can’t see very well through a rain-splattered face shield, and you know that other drivers can’t see very well, either. Thankfully, your riding suit has reflective stripes as well as waterproofing and armor.

Approaching an underpass, you observe that a puddle of water is collecting in the low spot. The truck ahead pushes through making a small splash. But the splash is enough to dislodge one of the big orange barrels, and it topples over on its side and rolls into the lane.

You push hard on the grips to initiate a swerve, but there just isn’t enough traction. The bike slides out, hits the barrel, and crashes to the pavement. Fortunately, drivers behind you see the accident and are able to stop. Picking up your bike, you’re shocked at how slippery the pavement is. Apparently, mud has washed out of the construction area, coating the road.

Although some riders do commute by bike year-round, most park their bikes during bad weather. The combination of poor visibility, slippery roads, and aggressive traffic dramatically increases your risks of an accident. The increased risks may not be worth the benefits of commuting by motorcycle. If you get caught in bad weather, take the extra time and precautions to ensure a safe ride. Drive slower, wear protective gear with reflective tape, use your triple lights, do not drive through puddles and allow more distance between you and traffic.

1000 Miles in a Day?

admin — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 20:31:40 +0000

There are many people who feel it is a badge of honor to log a thousand miles in 24 hours on a motorcycle. This can be extremely dangerous.

To do 1000 miles in 24 hours, you have to ride at excessive speeds for long periods of time. At 70 mph consistently, it takes more than 14 hours! High-speed highway riding is always high-risk riding, especially at night. Riding at high speed cuts time and distance to react, even in daylight. At night, by the time something breaks the headlight beam, there is no time to avoid it. This is called “overriding the headlight”. When the object is a deer, a vehicle, or the side of a boxcar, the results are never in the rider’s favor.

If you pause only long enough to refill the tank, you do not take time to mentally refresh yourself or to check your bike. If the only focus is to get back on the road, you become careless. Is there a bubble on your tire, a taillight burned out or the chain loose?

Add natural fatigue and you have a formula for a fatality. (No a Red Bull will not overcome the fatigue) Fatigue impedes judgment and slows reactions. These factors combine to make a deadly and often fatal mix. Is it worth the risk for a little pin?

Ride smart, ride safe and Stay Alive!