Stoplights are annoying!

Shorts · 05-20-2007, 07:22 PM

We headed out for a ride yesterday. The most painful part is getting out of/into the city area. This time the lights were backed up like 6 cars deep and they all staggered from the green light at a turtles pace. Not fast enough to get rolling with feet up, but too fast for me to comfortably 'powerwalk' the bike. So, I tried to let the make space so I could have a comfortable roll at least, while keeping an eye on the impatient ones behind. I guess it's all practice getting use to being in traffic.

How do you handle times like these?

harleyxlc · 05-20-2007, 08:25 PM

That is how. I leave a bit more space so when I do move I can move farther. And when I stop, I can stop for a bit longer than the cars. Can't leave too much space because the folks in the cars get a bit pissed.

Of course, here in CA, we can lane split/share. So at a stop sign I might do this, but at a stop light I would probably move to the front

blndebmbr · 05-20-2007, 08:29 PM

I just roll with it as it feels comfortable. You can't leave too much space as a cage may try to swoop in and cut you off. Sounds to me like you did it right!

acalliste · 05-20-2007, 08:35 PM

Ugh! I hate stoplights. I handle it by finding ways around the really bad ones. I have a shortcut up my sleeve for just about every notoriously slow intersection in Orlando. Even in my truck, I won't wait unnecessarily on a backed up light, unless I'm really not in a hurry to get anywhere.

Shorts · 05-20-2007, 10:04 PM

Hey thanks ladies. Luckily the roads here are only two lane (and some even have a turn lane! Big city, I know) ;) So there is a reduced chance of another car cutting in front, as like the case where there are two lanes going in the same direction at a light.

The plan of having detour routes is good too, just takes a little forethought in the beginning (so I don't forget where I'm going!) lol This town is laid out pretty wierd and unfortunately, getting to some nice routes out of town requires traversing the busiest intersections. All in good time - all in good time. Stupid traffic!

Though I've been considering going out on some night rides. All be it a little cooler and of course, dark, but the streets will be clear. And I do know the roads, so long as I take my speeds properly, it'd be fun ;)

SheWolf · 05-21-2007, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harleyxlc

Of course, here in CA, we can lane split/share.

Shit if we do that here you run the risk of someone opening their door up on you as you are about to get past them. Yeah, people are assholes. I've become quite good at reading the lights. I'll look far enuf ahead and gear the bike down so I can keep it at a slow roll and not have to put my feet down, and be able to maintain that until the light changes. I usually leave about a car length of space ahead of me just in case I have to hit the brakes fast, but that usually only happens when an impatient jerk in a cage (usually the young guys in their hopped-up rice grinders equipped with a mega fart-can)tries to cut in front of me to get the jump on the light. Kinda stupid, as they are still like 6 cars away from the light anyways. I know around here the traffic isn't like it is in the 'bigger' cities, but we get the backlash of traffic due to the bridge. It's been known to take 2 hours to cross that bastard when on normal driving times it takes maybe 5 minutes from one end to the other.