RIDING AMERICA'S DANGEROUS ROADS

TO TYNDA

Road and other travel tips.

America is vast and interesting, but you must be careful.

It can be dangerous.

Here are some tips which we hope will allow you to return:

#1.

Road Conditions:  You can find paved and unpaved roads here.   But the paved roads are certainly not autobahn quality.   Be very careful because you could ride for miles on good roads and all of a sudden there are holes.

Don't ride at night, especially in Mexico (not part of the US yet).   But in the northern part of the US, Canada and Alaska, there are animals roaming around at night.   Deer, elk, antelope, moose, just to name the bigger ones.    One can buy deer whistles but do they do anything but alert the animal that you are coming so that they jump in front of you?   Will they jump out of the way?    Certainly slow down.   A deer cannot respond to an object travelling faster than 60 klm per hour if that fast.    If you see one, the chances that others are following.  In addition there are many places where livestock roam wild, day or night.   We were told by one motorcycle dealer that the local ranchers, upon finding a sick cow, would place it on the roadway so a truck would hit it and the rancher could collect insurance.   Are you riding a truck?  Further, there are other objects in the road such a Black Alligators which are abandoned truck tires that have blown off their rims creating a real hazard.

#2.  

Large Cities.   In the US  there are many areas in which the minority urban population is out of control.  Don't venture there night or day.   You have seen the reports on TV.   Ask before you enter.

Motels.  There are two types of motels in the US.  One, the vast Soviet style housing block.  No chance to hide your motorcycle.   The other is the "U" type where it is possible to hide your motorcycle so it can not be seen by someone driving by.  Ask the owner as they sometimes have rooms that can not be seen from the road.   And sometimes the welcome those on motorcycles.  Always carry and use a black motorcycle cover.   Always lock your motorcycle and lock it to something.   If you are travelling in a large group, you have the manpower to always have one of your group awake and strolling around the bikes.   This discourages the thieves who usually only want a quick snatch.  Some people drive around at night from motel to motel looking for a quick breakin (autos) or a quick take of an unlocked bike.    It might be even worse in Mexico where four strong people will drive up, jump out, throw the motorcycle into the back of a pickup and be gone.   We once met a Mexican motorcycle owner who said that this happened to him when he went into a store in daylight and when he came out his motorcycle was gone.   Being a native, he was able to stay in the area and a few days later he found the motorcycle at the local dealer where they were trying to sell it.    In the states you should report the theft but there is so much crime that they will have little time to do anything about it.   Be certain you have insurance. In Mexico, the head thef will be the brother of the local chief of police.

#3

Besides insuring the motorcycle for theft, have towing insurance.   Most insurance companies will only tow you to the nearest motorcycle dealer.    Try to get the local Honda dealer to repair your BMW!   Fat chance.  Some BMW dealers are 1500 klms apart.   Most motorcycle dealers are closed on Sunday and Monday.     Check out your towing policy.   For example, AAA will not tow motorcycles.   You must buy the rider for mobile homes before your motorcycle is covered with AAA (this may now have changed to only AAA Plus.)   Read your policy in your motel room, not along side of a deserted road.  

#4

Old people.   The population of America is aging.   This means that old people have political power.    There are very few provisions to take a driver's licenses away from these old people even if they are disabled, infirmed, or nearly blind.    Everyone believes that it is their right to drive an auto.    Avoid states were the are large populations of old folk, such as the southern parts of  Arizona, and New Mexico, Southern California and especially Florida.

#5

  Americans never learned that a motorcycle takes up less space than a car.  They certainly do not look out for them nor bicycles.   Most Americas have very little formal training and simply don't know how to keep their autos under control.   Road rage was born here.  There are many drunks on the road.   $25.00 USD, a simple test and you are on the road to become another hazard.    Motorcycles were never that important in America because Henry Ford was able to produce auto after auto cheaper than others could build motorcycles.   To American's all motorcycles are Hell's Angels that should be shot or ran off the road.

#6.  

Speeding tickets.   In the States you don't argue about the tickets and you don't pay on the spot.   The game is revenue.   The officer gives you the ticket and you appear in court  weeks later to argue the case.   You will not win.    Both the officer and the Court Judge have heard all the arguments before.  The is a billion dollar industry.  Many police departments are supported only by ticket revenue.   Most people simply pay the ticket by mailing it in with payment.   While there may not be an official quota system, any traffic officer who did not issue a large amount of tickets each day would find himself sweeping floors.   However, there appears to be no computer system that would stop you at the airport to tell you to pay the ticket before leaving the US.  So keep it as a souvenir.

#7.  

America is big so here are some generalities.   First, it gets damn hot in the south and damn cold in the north.    Even the southern parts of the US can have snow and ice on mountain roads into the summer.   Best time to go is fall or spring when the snoty nosed school kids are still in school and the traffic not quite so bad.

#8.  Most states, but not all, require the use of a helmet.   Never leave your helmet unattended.   Take it with you or lock it on the bike.    It is a quick snatch and a trip to the local fence to bring about a quick buck for drugs.   Why make it easy for them.   Let them rob a bank because local law enforcement protects the rich, gives out tickets and if you can't ride your motorcycle, tough.

#9.  Most cities have information departments although many are hard to find.    They are usually manned by older volunteers which mean that they know very little , forgot it anyway, and have had no training.   They certainly will not know anything about motorcycling.  You might ask them if they have maps of scenic country tours or bicycle maps.     They know nothing about email.    Ask one of these old ladies if they have  "EMAIL"  and they will think that you are inquiring into their sexual life.    There are some exceptions to this general rule.   There is one company KINKO's that started as a place for college students to make copies of documents and now have branched into other areas such as faxes and computers.   There are about 900 to 1000 of these stores around the US but normally only in college towns.   They will give you a free directory.  If email is more important to you than motorcycling, stay at home and don't go to the US.

#10.   Hopefully you didn't leave your mother's house for American food.   American food is very homogenous.  Expect to find a McDonalds, a pizza place, and a Bob's but not real good food.  After you eat in American for a few days you will know why there are so many fat Americans.  Occasionally you will read about health hazards and sickness caused by a worker who doesn't wash, hands or other body parts which they rub against your food.

11.  Identification.   Should you identify yourself as a foreigner?   If you rent a bike with a US license plate, how do they know that you are from a foreign country.   Americans are friendly so wear your country patch and a decal on your motorcycle front and back.   They will speak to you and be helpful if you ask directions.  But don't look like a Hell's Angle.

#12.  Sex

As one wag put it, we shipped puritans to the US and criminals to Australia.  The Aussie got over it but in the US there are  still many puritanical hangovers, like no nude bodies on TV.   There are a few nude beaches.

Are you going to the US for food, sex and email.  Forget it.   Just motorcycle and see the scenery.   You will have a great time.

If you have further tips you would like to add please send to:

Tynda@aol.com

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