Sand on the road

[upside22]

It got up to 55deg yesterday and I got the Nomad out. For those of you north of the Mason-Dixon line be careful. There was lots of sand at the intersections, the low spots on highway curves, and some even in the middle of the highway where the car tires throw it to the inside of the car.

It will probably take the first heavy rain to wash this sand away.

So be careful out there, especially when going around the curves!

[ringadingh]

Sand is a real problem here after the snow leaves, especially in the residential areas. It takes a couple months before the work crews can get out there and pick it up. Im always a lot more cautious taking corners early in the season.

[cactusjack]

We don't have ice around here, and certainly no snow - so in most places, there's no sand on the streets. However, once you get on the outskirts of the valley, many of the roads have little arroyos, essentially natural drainage ditches that they just pave over rather than putting in a culvert under the asphalt. In the summer we get brief, often violent storms that bring a lot of rain and this being the desert, sand washes into these arroyos. After the road dries, it can take several days for this sand to disperse. After enough cars have driven through them, you just aim for the bare spots where the tires If you are out riding a day or two after a major storm, you have to watch for these deposits of sand. They can be up to several inches deep and can really ratchet up the pucker factor.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I live on Sand Mountain and you would think we would have a problem with sand. On some of the less traveled roads you sometimes have to look out for it but on well traveled roads it isn't a problem.

[ve3hzz]

In the spring here, I think sand is one of the biggest causes of bike accidents on the roads. That and cagers don't see us (when do they ???)

I normally wait till we have a good heavy downpour before I take mine out for its maiden voyage in the spring, that and the residual salt that is left is washed away. Even then at intersections it can be quite dangerous even for cars. Last year saw a Nissan 350Z into the culvert as he took the corner a bit fast and tried to stop and slid on the sand off the side into the ditch!!! No real damage, but he was embarrassed and his car was filthy from the mud , etc.

Just be careful out there!!!!!!

Scott

[audiogooroo]

The only motorcycle accident I ever had was in 1978 and the result of sand on the roads on a warm February day when I went for a ride. Still sporting the scars from that. Take care guys.

[landman]

yep,it was sand on a curve that totaled one my bikes a few years ago.

[pirate]

Now that the snow is starting to melt here, I think there is enough sand on the streets to replenish an ocean beach somewhere! It definitely makes things interesting until the first big rain/street cleaners take care of it.

[usranger74]

Lots of sand and girt on the roads and in intersections here. Need to be careful when stopping in both using your brakes and where you put your foot down.

[jlreeves]

Im the Director of Public Safety where I live and it always bugs me when the season changes and I recommend that they clean the roadways and they say "Why waste the money, Mother Nature will do it for free". This year I made the government include the cost of REMOVING the sand before I let them put it down.

Next its getting rid of speed bumps and tar snakes...