Trucks on Narrow Twisting Roads
My wife and I are likely moving to Greenville, SC within the year so we spent a couple weeks there exploring and looking for a house. After nailing down a location I started using Google Maps to discover the safest bike routes to access a trail network as well as normal errand running and such. The new neighborhood is far from ideal cycling but the 10 miles all the way to Downtown only includes about 2 miles of potential "death" roads, roughly 1/4 to 1/2 mile sprint each one.
Anyway I was riding the potential roadways virtually through Google Maps when I came upon this scene that kinda made me jump out of my seat, then get a good laugh. Reminded me why I gave up road cycling as much as possible. I love the positioning of the passenger side wheels of the dump truck. Oh, I'm sure I'll be OK! :twitchy: https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7e4112355.jpg Photo Credit: Google Earth Greenville, SC |
Road designs are entertainment for the media.. after a ped has been caught on a bad day.
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The two worst states to cycle in are Hawaii (Island of Oahu) and South Carolina.
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Originally Posted by work4bike
(Post 22888427)
The two worst states to cycle in are Hawaii (Island of Oahu) and South Carolina.
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
(Post 22888594)
Haven't tried Hawaii yet. Crossing SC on the eastern side (south to north) was part of a long bike tour. Stayed off the beaches. Seems like military bases were on my route. Don't remember being overly terrified in that case, although someone did threaten to rob me a a convenience store in a run down neighborhood. Thankfully he just wanted my money (travelers checks back then) but wasn't in the mood for physical resistance. Other than that everyone there not behind the wheel seem super nice - southern hospitality and all that.
My problem with SC was always on my Touring rides, more thru the central/western side as I was either going north or south thru the state. There was a definite difference between SC roads and those of neighboring states, in that they were not as wide and many more potholes and crumbling edges. It's been a few years since I've traveled thru there and actually on my last ride up north, I headed west, so I could bypass SC. :D . |
Originally Posted by work4bike
(Post 22888621)
I lived in the Goose Creek area for about 2-years and those roads were fine, actually some very large roads, other than a few; I specifically remember a few very large intersections.
My problem with SC was always on my Touring rides, more thru the central/western side as I was either going north or south thru the state. There was a definite difference between SC roads and those of neighboring states, in that they were not as wide and many more potholes and crumbling edges. It's been a few years since I've traveled thru there and actually on my last ride up north, I headed west, so I could bypass SC. :D . The route. Subject to change. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?h...2.3666361&z=12 |
One or two of the 2 lane country roads I ride here have a lot of dump truck traffic going to a from a nearby gravel pit. They are some of the better behaved motor vehicles on the road. They stay a respectful distance behind till they can take the other lane fully and then they will pass when it's clear. So I'm not sure what scares you in the picture. It matters not that the wheels are off the side of the road since there isn't anything in front of it to run over. And you are making the assumption it wouldn't just stay behind you till it was in the clear.
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Originally Posted by Iride01
(Post 22888672)
One or two of the 2 lane country roads I ride here have a lot of dump truck traffic going to a from a nearby gravel pit. They are some of the better behaved motor vehicles on the road. They stay a respectful distance behind till they can take the other lane fully and then they will pass when it's clear. So I'm not sure what scares you in the picture. It matters not that the wheels are off the side of the road since there isn't anything in front of it to run over. And you are making the assumption it wouldn't just stay behind you till it was in the clear.
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Originally Posted by Iride01
(Post 22888672)
...have a lot of dump truck traffic going to a from a nearby gravel pit. They are some of the better behaved motor vehicles on the road...
Lets face it. Traffic is brutal... I ride back roads with no traffic but then there is another problem. If I take a spill it could be hours before I am noticed... Go Figure... |
Originally Posted by zandoval
(Post 22888690)
If I take a spill it could be hours before I am noticed... Go Figure...
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
(Post 22888686)
Its just the imagery of that big truck rounding a blind curve with two wheels in the gutter and literally no place for me to go no matter how much I would want to bail to the ditch. That's all. Nothing implied about the driver. It's just a funny/horrifying image given my mindset at the time it popped up. And it's a potential safety issue which is why I posted here and not somewhere else on BF. Many, many roads near Greenville look like that or worse from a cyclist's eye view.
You'd know that truck was coming from quite some distance. It's a low speed turn on top of that. |
Dump Trucks are the little trucks.
We get log trucks around here. |
Originally Posted by Paul Barnard
(Post 22888755)
You'd know that truck was coming from quite some distance. It's a low speed turn on top of that.
Originally Posted by CliffordK
(Post 22888767)
Dump Trucks are the little trucks. We get log trucks around here.
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Originally Posted by zandoval
(Post 22888690)
Could be the one to take ya out is that small SUV checking their Text Messages while negotiating the turn with their knees...
Lets face it. Traffic is brutal... I ride back roads with no traffic but then there is another problem. If I take a spill it could be hours before I am noticed... Go Figure... So not only distracted drivers are an issue, but drivers that feel entitled to do as they please. My Garmin has incident detection and my helmet has ANGI crash detection. So I feel covered if I should be involved in a crash out in the lonely parts of my rides. However with all the bad tempered people in the news nowadays, I might need a gun shot detection on my Garmin. |
Originally Posted by Iride01
(Post 22888863)
...with all the bad tempered people in the news nowadays, I might need a gun shot detection on my Garmin.
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Take the lane.
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Originally Posted by MaxKatt
(Post 22888918)
Take the lane.
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Originally Posted by JoeyBike
(Post 22888979)
I've seen more than a few deer who tried that. Couldn't be in more pieces if they swallowed a stick of dynamite. Pass.
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Maybe you should get in touch with the local bike club in Greenville - Home - The Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club
And stop being so paranoid. I ride a lot in the Spartanburg area, and other than one distracted driver (and that can happen anywhere nowadays) I've had zero issues. Alternatively, there's always public transportation. Just try to get on a bus that promises not to crash. |
Originally Posted by JoeyBike
(Post 22888880)
Just keep all your fingers on the handlebars. I learned years ago to just let stuff go and not make any hand gestures. Just smile and wave boys, smile and wave!
Originally Posted by Steve B.
(Post 22888996)
Stupid comment. Taking the lane is exactly the only strategy for a cyclist.
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Originally Posted by Steve B.
(Post 22888996)
Stupid comment. Taking the lane is exactly the only strategy for a cyclist.
Originally Posted by Bald Paul
(Post 22889013)
Maybe you should get in touch with the local bike club in Greenville - Home - The Greenville Spinners Bicycle Club
Originally Posted by Bald Paul
(Post 22889013)
And stop being so paranoid. I ride a lot in the Spartanburg area, and other than one distracted driver (and that can happen anywhere nowadays) I've had zero issues.
Originally Posted by Bald Paul
(Post 22889013)
Alternatively, there's always public transportation. Just try to get on a bus that promises not to crash.
Any and all ideas are greatly appreciated though. |
Originally Posted by JoeyBike
(Post 22889066)
I haven't checked Spartanburg to be honest. I am never going there so I don't care.
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This is why I occupy more of the lane around a blind turn. If it's a right turn especially, I'm close to the yellow lines to maximize visibility for approaching traffic (both rear and front).
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Originally Posted by JW Fas
(Post 22889515)
This is why I occupy more of the lane around a blind turn. If it's a right turn especially, I'm close to the yellow lines to maximize visibility for approaching traffic (both rear and front).
There are a lot of variables. The road in the OP image capture is 25-35 mph. If my experience tells me people actually take care on that curve for whatever reason, I am more likely to take a lane. Also there are numerous driveways where i could bail to let a line of cars, or a big truck slide past without issue. |
Take the lane discussions are always interesting to me. Riding in traffic is a dance. On the road Joey showed, my default position would likely be center lane. As vehicles approach from behind, I hold the center of the lane if, in my opinion it's unsafe to pass, and sometimes I hold up my left index finger to signal wait a second. I will always look over my shoulder to let them know that I know they are there. Then I wave them around when I am ready for them to pass.
When a car comes up from behind and it's safe to pass, I physically turn my head to let them know that I know that they are there. When I can see them setting up to go out around me, I gravitate right. This gives more room for error and suggests that I am cooperating with them, even though it really does nothing for them. In low traffic conditions, people that give a courtesy pass get a friendly wave. This has served me well and often gets a wave in return. I can't help but think this kind of cooperation helps build good will, and may make it a little easier on my fellow riders. |
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