Be Aware – Stay Alert – Stay Alive!
Be aware of your lane position when traveling next to other vehicles and when approaching intersections.
When you’re riding next to, or approaching a vehicle from behind, pay close attention to your lane position. All too often, I find
motorcyclist riding in the left lane in the far left track of their lane, approaching a cage in the right lane from behind. As they come up
on the vehicle, the driver of the cage cannot see the motorcycle because of its lane position.
If you can’t see the driver’s eyes in their side view mirror, they can’t see you. Make yourself visible! I make a point of riding in the
right hand track of the left lane. Cages entering the roadway from the right are able to see me and I am given the right of way. If I
ride in the left track, I find the cages encroaching half way into my lane before realizing I’m there.
A word of caution: If you are going to take this advice, stay alert! Riding in the right hand track makes you more visible to a driver
that is paying attention. It also makes you that much closer to a driver that is not paying attention. So, be aware! You are always a
target!
Approaching an intersection, while riding in the left lane of a four lane road, poses a different problem. You must take extra care if
you have vehicles to your right. These cages may block the view of a driver attempting to enter the roadway from the right. What’s
particularly bad about this situation is; you cannot see this driver any better than he or she can see you. This would be a good time
to ride in the far left track and slow down! Give yourself as much room as possible and be ready to take evasive action.
Again, stay alert! Stay alive!
Ride Safe!
Tony Catrambone, Safety Officer
Be aware of your lane position when traveling next to other vehicles and when approaching intersections.
When you’re riding next to, or approaching a vehicle from behind, pay close attention to your lane position. All too often, I find
motorcyclist riding in the left lane in the far left track of their lane, approaching a cage in the right lane from behind. As they come up
on the vehicle, the driver of the cage cannot see the motorcycle because of its lane position.
If you can’t see the driver’s eyes in their side view mirror, they can’t see you. Make yourself visible! I make a point of riding in the
right hand track of the left lane. Cages entering the roadway from the right are able to see me and I am given the right of way. If I
ride in the left track, I find the cages encroaching half way into my lane before realizing I’m there.
A word of caution: If you are going to take this advice, stay alert! Riding in the right hand track makes you more visible to a driver
that is paying attention. It also makes you that much closer to a driver that is not paying attention. So, be aware! You are always a
target!
Approaching an intersection, while riding in the left lane of a four lane road, poses a different problem. You must take extra care if
you have vehicles to your right. These cages may block the view of a driver attempting to enter the roadway from the right. What’s
particularly bad about this situation is; you cannot see this driver any better than he or she can see you. This would be a good time
to ride in the far left track and slow down! Give yourself as much room as possible and be ready to take evasive action.
Again, stay alert! Stay alive!
Ride Safe!
Tony Catrambone, Safety Officer
Road Captain Report - January
Last January it decided to rain on the parade. This one the news was talking about high winds. But the wind never showed up and
the weather was nothing short of perfect. We had roughly 30 bikes. What a great turnout. Since we only had 2 captains that
actually had the map on their units or in their heads, we decided to go in 2 groups. I led the first one and Pete helped out a lot by
leading the second group. We started out heading through Reche Canyon to avoid the 60/215 interchange. We then headed
south on the 215 to Clinton Keith where we got gas. I kept thinking that I didn't think anyone had been on the road that I was going
to take them on and I think it was true. Had a couple say they wanted the map so they can do it again. We continued down Clinton
Keith and then skipped over DeLuz road by using Daily road. A neat little tight winding road with some seriously steep hills that
made some folks want to go "WEEEEEEE" and others want to say "holy crapola". Anyway, we did have one rider go into the dirt
with a little spill. More pride damage than anything, he was fine. We then reversed track on Lilac road which is always pretty,
stopped at the bridge for a photo op, then went back up through Temecula to a little place called Stagecoach inn. Small place, but
they really set it up nicely for us. The owners were there and were taking pics, giving everyone hugs, service as good, they had a
live band playing some pretty decent music. Weather again was just perfect. They really seemed enthusiastic that we brought such
a large group. Approximately 35 members and guests were there.
Hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did. Until next time. Ron Judge
Last January it decided to rain on the parade. This one the news was talking about high winds. But the wind never showed up and
the weather was nothing short of perfect. We had roughly 30 bikes. What a great turnout. Since we only had 2 captains that
actually had the map on their units or in their heads, we decided to go in 2 groups. I led the first one and Pete helped out a lot by
leading the second group. We started out heading through Reche Canyon to avoid the 60/215 interchange. We then headed
south on the 215 to Clinton Keith where we got gas. I kept thinking that I didn't think anyone had been on the road that I was going
to take them on and I think it was true. Had a couple say they wanted the map so they can do it again. We continued down Clinton
Keith and then skipped over DeLuz road by using Daily road. A neat little tight winding road with some seriously steep hills that
made some folks want to go "WEEEEEEE" and others want to say "holy crapola". Anyway, we did have one rider go into the dirt
with a little spill. More pride damage than anything, he was fine. We then reversed track on Lilac road which is always pretty,
stopped at the bridge for a photo op, then went back up through Temecula to a little place called Stagecoach inn. Small place, but
they really set it up nicely for us. The owners were there and were taking pics, giving everyone hugs, service as good, they had a
live band playing some pretty decent music. Weather again was just perfect. They really seemed enthusiastic that we brought such
a large group. Approximately 35 members and guests were there.
Hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as I did. Until next time. Ron Judge
Page 4
| Chaparral Riders Newsletter |
January 2009 Edition
President : Ron Judge
Vice President: Eddie Hopper
Secretary: Bonnie Judge
Treasurer: Earlene Hopper
Saftey Officer Tony Catrambone
50/50 Game: Eddie Hopper
Loma Linda Funds: Michelle Hernandez
Vice President: Eddie Hopper
Secretary: Bonnie Judge
Treasurer: Earlene Hopper
Saftey Officer Tony Catrambone
50/50 Game: Eddie Hopper
Loma Linda Funds: Michelle Hernandez