[stilzaj]

On a recent ride done one of the local twisty roads a buddy and i noticed a large patch of gravel that was in the middle of the lane. We both noticed it early enough and take evasive action to avoid going down, but we both came pretty close. So we both decide to try to find a place to pull off and clear the road for fellow riders so they aren't put in any other danger. Took about 30 minutes to fully clear the road and of course we proceded to run up and down the road to make sure that we got it all.
I was wondering who else has done this. I think i might start doing this from now often, b/c i went down about a year ago from loose road/gravel on the same stretch of road.

 

[bobbo84]

being out in the middle of the road, sweeping, seems a bit dangerous, esp if you don't have reflective safety gear on. Depending on what kind of road it was (county road, FM, state hwy, etc) a call to the proper maintainence authorities might accomplish the same goal, but without the added personal risk. Of course, they might not get to it for a while...

 

[stilzaj]

Thats the point, nobody else was gonna do it, and as highly traveled by bikes as this road is we both felt that if we didn't do it soon, that somebody would probably go down. The gravel was located in a twisty section but you could see and hear the cars about 100 yards in either direction b/f they came up on us, so it gave us plenty of time to get out of the way in case a bike or car came, so we parked our bikes out of the way off the road and walked up about 25 yards to clear the road.

 

[51dude]

good lookin out :cheers

 

[Hagios]

Carry a road flare with you. That way, you can alert traffic to a hazard up ahead (for instance, a couple of good sameritans cleaning up gravel :dblthumb).

 

[mikem317]

I'd only do it if the conditions permitted me to do so.

 

[tdogg954]

I've actually contemplated renting a street sweeper for a local road here. I don't know where I could rent one or if I would get in trouble for doing it but it needs to be done! It takes months to get washed away and or driven off since its rarely traveled. Maybe I could get a couple of buddies to share the cost.

I can imagine the conversation:

Cop: Do you have a permit for this thing?
Me: I need a permit to sweep the road?
Cop: Why the hell are you sweeping the road?
Me: So me and my buddies can tear it up on our sportbikes.
Cop: Please step out of the vehicle.

So yes I've thought about doing such a thing but theres no way I'm sweeping the entire road. Congrats for the good samaritan act! (but I'm thinking you did it for your next pass down that way)

 

[stilzaj]

Yes, we did take advantage of the newly cleaned road, however i've thought about doing it a couple times b/f but didn't. I don't know what it was about this time that made it different. I'm glad i did it, and i hope i do it again in the future. Maybe if i do it and people see me do it, others will follow suit and the roads might just get a little safer, and i think we all know how many dangers are already out there.

 

[Sibling]

In California we have local forums like this that you can look at... people warn of road debri traffic .etc Most of the time someone runs up with their cage and cleans up.