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Buellboiler
Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2008 - 10:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Was riding the X-1 to work this morning and they are widening the local highway. The on-ramp has just been re-routed and there is plenty of fresh BLACK asphalt everywhere. In the dark of the morning I was following the route outlined by the construction barrels.
Suddenly the fork jerks to the right and as quickly jerks back to the left and send the steering into a wild oscillation. I was not close to the apex barrel so I didn't hit that and I didn't see anything on the pavement. Yet I am working to regain control of the bike and I am closing in on a concrete barrier (as seen in the photo). I stopped and didn't see any damage but I later notice that my front wheel was bent! I went back at lunch and photographed the scene. The barrels were clearly too far back from the transistion in the pavement. More than 6 feet BEHIND the drop off! This would be an eye opener in a car in the dark, and it was a shorts stainer on a bike.
I visited the local DOT and requested that they move the barrels to their proper position and asked to talk to someone about the damage to my bike.
Everyone be extra careful in construction zones because the knuckleheads here don't seem to care about cyclist's safety.
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Buellboiler
Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2008 - 11:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here is the image


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Littlebuggles
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 01:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You hit that "curb" by the van's front wheel? Glad your okay! Hopefully they help you out with that wheel.
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Mick
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 03:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

could have been ugly mate , glad your OK
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Eshardball
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 05:49 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

There are strict guidelines for the placement of construction safety warning devices as established by DOT regs. Sure seems like gross negligence to me. If they balk at the bill, let them know that unemployment only lasts so long and most other employers won't tolerate incompetancey
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Court
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 06:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good news . . . YOU WIN
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Buellboiler
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 08:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes Sir,

I hit that 'curb' and I hit it hard.

It is difficult to explain what goes through your mind when your hit an unforeseen obstacle like that. Just as you are trying to determine what is happening, your handlebars are suddenly tossed into a wild oscillation. All you think about is how can I get this under control, how can I keep the shiny side up, and can I do it all before I hit that concrete barrier.

To make matters worst, on the way in this morning I looked and noticed that the barrels are in the same location they were before I notified the DOT and asked them to properly locate them before another cyclist hits that pavement transition and gets hurt. I have big plans to see them later today. I also plan to see the construction foreman at the site.

Court – I just started to look at your link. Are there specific sections that I should focus on? Also, thanks for the reference.
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Spiderman
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 08:31 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Before you go reaming the site manager, remember it is possible that another car may have pushed that barrel out of place...

If you look at the line up of barrels the last one does look out of place.

Just sayin....
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Kyrocket
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 09:30 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Spidey's right, just follow an 18 wheeler down the highway and you can easily spot the ones that aren't weighted enough. Although that's probably not what happened here there are those who think it's funny to mess with traffic control devices, the thread about the saran wrap comes to mind.

But the number one thing is you're O.K.
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Court
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 09:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm not up on it as I was when I was building mostly traffic signals and highway lighting . . . but you'll find some specs for the barrels. Not only the need for but the location, "taper formulas" (a function of the construction zone speed limit) and the reflectivity (the City of Overland Park, KS (one of the ritziest in the USA) required barrels to be washed with soap and water daily and had a team that came around every night we were working with instruments. . . something like a $2,500 fine for a barrel that didn't measure up.

It's all there but I'd have to get current.
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Buellboiler
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 10:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm not planning to ream anyone. I want to stress the importance of providing a safe path for everyone, including cyclists.

Not only is the apex barrel out of place by 7 feet or more, but the other barrels are also too far down stream. The apex barrel should be on the top of the last layer of pavement, not 7 feet behind the transition. All other barrels should be in line with the apex barrel to form a reasonable path. That way if one is moved the path is still clear to the public.

If you could see the area, you would realize there is plenty of space to move these barrels forward to a proper location. Someone wasn't using his head when these were laid down.

The most important thing is to make sure these barrels are properly located so another rider isn't seriously hurt.
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Sloppy
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 04:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Safety is our own responsibility.

MC's mantra: Right of way goes to GROSS TONNAGE!

Glad to hear you're okay. Similar hazards abound with deer, dogs, diesel fuel, etc.

Are we riding safe or riding in a hurry?
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Buellboiler
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 04:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Sloppy,

How exactly does gross tonnage figure into this situation???

Let's see, I'm riding into work in the dark of the morning. I'm in an unlit area of fresh construction. I'm not exactly a teenager (well not in the last quarter of a century). I hit a 4-inch drop off then a 4-inch pavement edge at a 45 degree angle and managed not to go down.
You tell me if I was riding safely or not.

Test yourself and ride over a 2X4 (standing on the short edge) at a 45 degree angle. If you stay up then you can tell me if you are riding safely. Sorry if I sound pissed but I find your comment insulting. Reread my posts and see if you think I am concerned about the safety of cyclists!}
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Preybird1
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 07:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Man don't get me started on animals.
here is what i have hit.

1. i hit a skunk on my kawasaki
2. I hit a deer on my enduro and crashed into a frozen river brrrrrr!
3. Drunk driver pulled out in front of me and i rear ended him, owww my nuts.
4. Hit a cat after i honked at it running along side a pile of junk in street, Dont do that, I spooked it and it changed course i hit it with back tire bounced over it.
5. Hit another cat came out from in between 2 cars into my spokes and i crashed real bad major road rash, Dragged by the bike 20 yards 4 hours of scrubbing in the emergency room owww!!

I would rip the construction crew a new one.

One time i was in my truck and they were just laying fresh asphalt and this flager waved me onto the fresh un pressed asphalt it stuck to all my tires and then random explosions of my tires melting and popping. The foreman was pissed at me. And i told him the flagger waved me onto it. And he said oh he did did he and the guy got fired on the spot!
They were not happy to buy me 4 new tires!
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Thejuicer
Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 08:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Glad to hear your ok, sounds like you did a hell of a job just keepin the bike up. It also sounds like you in the right, those barrels should have been blocking the drop-off I would think...Josh.
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Jstfrfun
Posted on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 12:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good job recovering Vince that would have given me a sphincter factor of about 7.5!
I had a customer come in with a similar deal, on the way to work in the dark came upon a section of road excavated for repair(6" drop off and equal on the other side). It was about '8 across so he had enough time to sit back a little and start to pull the front end of his 750 Duck up to ease the impact on the front wheel...but he didn't.
Come to find out a resident was unhappy about the flashing light on the barriers and REMOVED them!
the result was a Moto-x style ride into the desert and two broken very high dollar wheels. Surprisingly no rash or body injuries, our hero kept it rite-side up but cried like a girl over his wounded Duck!
The resident has been severely chastized...and sued, as you can imagine, and the high dollar wheels replaced along with a new set of tires.


BTW, Sloppy, Shut-up!
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Buellboiler
Posted on Sunday, October 26, 2008 - 08:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

David,

How did they determine that someone had moved the barricades and how did they learn the names???

Even after filing a complaint the barrels are still in the same place. I would move the barrels t the right location but I doubt I can do it legally. The weather has really turned here so there are no construction folks to be found.

I'm just over the 10k miles mark so a new front tire (original) is due while it is down for repairs.

PS - factor of 7.5? I would hate to see what you call a 10.
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Eshardball
Posted on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 10:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Take pictures w dates and send a Certified letter to the DOT. Enclose a bill for the damage. If no appropriate response, contact an attorney. If they didn't take immediate corrective action, then they don't give a shit about you or anyone else
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Jstfrfun
Posted on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 03:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It seems there had been an on-going dispute with that particular resident while the project was being planned and executed...potholes and such combined with rural bumpkins, it's all very unclear to those of us who were not directly involved.

As for what constitutes a full 10 on a scale of 1-10, well , have you ever lost control and NOT regained it, to the point of impact? Well, just as you see your doom and your underwear is getting filled,THAT'S a 10.5....off the scale.
If it's never happened to you then you can rest assured that one day it will. No one is exempt. Here's hoping the injuries are mild and soon overcome.

Mr Schwartz is right. Photos, bill, attorney...in that order(hopefully a bloodthirsty one...attorney that is).
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