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 - December
It was going to be a short ride due to the Christmas Party and like always December is a longer club meeting. After all of the election
and signing up for the 2009 year we left Chaparral about 9:00am. Jumped on the 215 south toward Riverside and exited on La
Sierra. Our first stop was the Chevron. We had to killed time there, so we wouldn’t arrive too early to the party. We headed around
Lake Mathews and turn right on Lake Mathews Rd over to Santa Rose St. After stopping we turn right on to Post Rd in which Randy
S and I had a miner mishap. No one was hurt, but I think Randy’s bike got the worst of. After some back roads we ran into the 74
and then jump on the freeway in Perris. Since we were early we decided go through Reche Canyon over to Randy H trailer park for
the Christmas Party. It was a short ride, about 80 miles with 21 bikes when we left Chaparral. I would like to thank my Tail Gunner
Randy H and John Tolle for being the second Road Captain and his tail Gunner Tony. Hope everyone enjoyed the ride and see
you at next meeting. Pete Aker
It was going to be a short ride due to the Christmas Party and like always December is a longer club meeting. After all of the election
and signing up for the 2009 year we left Chaparral about 9:00am. Jumped on the 215 south toward Riverside and exited on La
Sierra. Our first stop was the Chevron. We had to killed time there, so we wouldn’t arrive too early to the party. We headed around
Lake Mathews and turn right on Lake Mathews Rd over to Santa Rose St. After stopping we turn right on to Post Rd in which Randy
S and I had a miner mishap. No one was hurt, but I think Randy’s bike got the worst of. After some back roads we ran into the 74
and then jump on the freeway in Perris. Since we were early we decided go through Reche Canyon over to Randy H trailer park for
the Christmas Party. It was a short ride, about 80 miles with 21 bikes when we left Chaparral. I would like to thank my Tail Gunner
Randy H and John Tolle for being the second Road Captain and his tail Gunner Tony. Hope everyone enjoyed the ride and see
you at next meeting. Pete Aker
| Chaparral Riders Newsletter |
December Edition 2008
Page 4
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
Newsletter/Web Site: Charlie Flack
Vice President: Eddie Hopper
Secretary: Bonnie Judge
Treasurer: Earlene Hopper
Saftey Officer Tony Catrambone
50/50 Game: Eddie Hopper
Loma Linda Funds: Michelle Hernandez
Newsletter/Web Site: Charlie Flack
