David Drury pilots Leslie Kay’s Insurance Stock Pro Bracket Racer from Hole Shot to Hole Shot at Palm Beach International Raceway’s Test & Tune Night – December 28, 2011…..
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Most celebrities merely add their name to the banner of a restaurant or bar and never show up. It’s usually a business matter arranged by their manager. They’re there is name only. Not true with Jimmie Johnson’s The Big Chill in Key Largo, Florida.
Yup… Jimmie was there to greet the Posse as we arrived late.
Sixteen bikes with twenty-one riders managed to fight the Memorial Weekend traffic into the Keys to ride to this great restaurant at mile marker 102. Actually we rode the back roads down and saw very few cars until we got to the very beginning of the Keys. Then, wham! As we rode through Florida City on Krome Ave we could see the traffic stacked up on the bridge exiting the Florida turnpike. We knew our options – take Card Sound Road through the mangroves. It was a fight to get across the semi parked cars, people didn’t want to give up an inch to let us through, but we did it.
Card Sound Road was wide open. It is a tight two lane road that wraps through mangroves and runs along a canal. Well, it was open until we got to the toll bridge. There we encountered a back up of cars about a mile long. So, since we hadn’t planned on this route, we took the opportunity to collect the toll money from everyone. It would make our passing through the gate quicker and easier. The money taker at the gate commented that we were one of the few that didn’t argue about paying a cash toll. It appears that the traffic was backed up because people were complaining about having to pay a $1 toll in cash and that their Highway Sunpass wasn’t accepted.
Needless to say, the rest of the journey was a breeze. The temperatures were approaching 90 and the sky was blue. The posted speed limit was 55 as we roared down between and under the mangrove growths on a slightly sweeping back Florida road – couldn’t even see the vehicles in front of us.
When we cut back onto Hwy 1, there was no traffic at all (there had been an accident at the beginning of the Overseas Hwy).
The Posse pulled into our reserved parking area where we were greeted by Mark, the GM and we made our way into the air conditioned, glass enclosed patio. Once seated, most of us enjoyed their special holiday weekend buffet while others chose from their large menu. Jimmie Johnson then came over to thank the Posse for all of our charity work and posed for several pictures.
The ride home was the merely the reverse route we took down…. But this time there was no traffic at all. The sun was setting as we made it back to our homes in Boca Raton.
The best way to describe the Memorial Weekend run is awesome: Two hundred fifty (250) miles of almost clear riding through some beautiful roads; a truly wonderful restaurant/lounge and we were recognized for our charity work. Not a bad day.
The Boca Posse recognizes our soldiers and sends a salute to all – active, retired and those that have passed serving our county. Thank you for all you do!
Leslie and her staff at Leslie Kay’s Insurance wants salute those that have fallen in service for our country as we bow our heads in prayer.
THANK YOU TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES
Most riders get used to riding in the rain by accident. They takeoff on an all day ride when the sun is shining and by afternoon they realize they’re going to get their first taste of wet asphalt, like it or not. Those who accept it soon find themselves venturing back into the rain, sometimes at their own will.Many never ride in the rain the first year they’re up on two wheels. They’re timid about it the second year, feeling more confident by the third and by the fourth year they’re asking the question – “What Rain?”
So suppose you’re thinking about getting on a wet road for the first time, or perhaps you’ve done it a few times, or perhaps you do it so much you’re not thinking about what the hazards are.
The first 15 minutes after it starts raining are the slickest. Pull over and get some coffee.
This simple fact is because vehicles deposit oil, brake fluid, fuel, and lots of other crud on the road over time. When it rains, all of this crud that was built up on the road mixes with the water and sits on top just waiting for your two wheeled ride to hit it.
Pull over for gas, a coffee, whatever when it first starts to rain. Can’t pull over? Just drive extra careful and slow down during the start of any rain shower.
One of the most logical, but most ignored steps is to Slow Down! Ok…in rain, surfaces are slicker than usual – water acts as a lubricant. This means your brakes are less effective, which means it’s going to take much longer to stop when it’s wet than when it’s dry. Plus, when it boils down to it would you rather start fish tailing at 20 miles an hour or 40 miles an hour?
No rain gear is going to keep you dry when you have a personal accident on yourself.
In the rain, you should think about your tires and what is commonly referred to as the rule of “One Action.” In normal conditions, we put our tires through many different stresses (or actions):
In the rain, you should focus on only putting your tires through one action at a time.
In other words, accelerate (one action) after you make a turn (one action). Downshift (one action) before you start to turn (one action). Etc. Don’t combine actions on your tires together in the rain. Less tension on your tires in the rain is going to result in better traction.
Here’s a list of critical rain hazards I like to watch for and look for even after 40 years of riding:
Painted Lines: Crosswalks can be unsafe for motorcyclists, particularly if you’re turning right or left and crossing the lines at an angle. Slow down more than usual and make the turn straight up, rather than in a lean.
Diamonds in the HOV lanes: Very nasty when you lean into one, especially on the freeway. The diamond is shaped so you just slide across it and continue to slide along it.
Any painted line is a hazard. Until the DOT addresses the issue and comes up with a tackier texture you’re the one in control of your destiny.
Surface Textures: Many commercial and residential parking areas are paved with very slick concrete surfaces. Your wet entry into the local mall or condo complex can put you on the ground in a second. Again, ride slow and straight up and don’t let the concrete bite you.
Rubber: If you thought you might save some money by buying long lasting tires, think again. Such tires are typically not as tacky and have less traction when the rain comes out. Next time you change tires look for the tackiest one that will take care of you better during riding adventures.
How about that rubber they use around railroad tracks to decrease the sound as cars drive over them? Forget those little circles on the surface, these provide zero traction to you as you cross. Slow and straighten up.
Steel – Manhole covers are enemy number one and railroad tracks rank a close second. Making a turn over the surface of them sets you up for trouble. Avoid such, or keep the bike straight up and cross over it slowly.
Railroad tracks have a way of popping up on you just after a turn and you may still be into a lean when you reach them. Look for the crossing signs ahead of time, slow down and stay straight up when crossing.
Grated bridge crossings and metal plates are a nasty encounter in the rain. Look at where you want to ride, take it slow and don’t try any fancy dancing, particularly a lane change.
Water – Puddles/Pot Holes: It only takes one time to know how this one feels. You cruise through a puddle and after it’s too late you realize you just went into a pot hole that wants to suck you into the underworld more painfully than Satan himself beating you down with a stick. Avoid puddles if you can. Use caution and predict the possibility ahead of time. Recovery from this rude awakening is not always easy. Pull over and take a few minutes of rest if you need to gather your wits.
Oil – It’s everywhere and very illusive. Those little red and blue rainbows on the ground mean danger. Ride slow and straight up. As per the DOL’s motorcycle safety manual, if you’re caught in the first rain following a few dry days remember the roads are covered with lots of oil and dirt that will be lifted from the surface in the first 30-60 minutes of a new rain. Take a coffee break if you can.
I’m sure there are more great tips out there for riding motorcycles in the rain, but the most important of all is to stay cool, calm and collected and RIDE SAFE!
DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT IN THE RAIN WITH YOUR INSURANCE! YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO TALK TO THE BEST!
MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE FOR BIKERS BY BIKERS:
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866-367-1788
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Whether you are a skier, snowboarder, cyclist, or a motorcyclist, wearing a helmet is essential to your safety. However, post-activity helmet hair is not exactly flattering. Fortunately, there a few ways to prevent the phenomenon known as helmet hair.
Instructions:
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