Tar snakes or between the tracks?

[monkeymsea]

I use to use the wheel tracks till the other night was coming home along harrisville road on my way home. Was coming up one of the hills in the wheel track and what do you know my zxr reckons it wanted to be in the D1NZ.. luckly i didnt go over.. rode in the centre the rest of the way home.. bike has been in garage since...

[oldrider]

So. It's winter and the roads are mostly wet.
Where I ride, there are many roads where you have to choose between riding in a wheel track that is shiny or riding between the tracks where there is reputed to be more oil than in the Iraqi desert...both options are wet just to add to the fun...
Which do you choose?

Should be obvious really, because I ride a "Triumph", I go my own way!

[YellowDog]

Should be obvious really, because I ride a "Triumph", I go my own way!

Yep, I do too and I do too.

I sometimes find that when I am actually cornering on my chosen line; it then doesn't look like the line I should have chosen.

In such instances I think it would be more dangerous to try and make any changes and it is best just to ride it out (unless there's a pothole) without deviation and reduce the chance of what you have found yourself into causing a problem.

[slofox]

I sometimes find that when I am actually cornering on my chosen line; it then doesn't look like the line I should have chosen.

In such instances I think it would be more dangerous to try and make any changes and it is best just to ride it out (unless there's a pothole) without deviation and reduce the chance of what you have found yourself into causing a problem.

Yep. Agreed.

[duckonin]

The middle is the best bet in most cases in the rain,hard to get a cof or wof if you are leaking oil or any form of crud these days, yeah sure some gets by,you only have to ride the Karangahake gorge in the wet to see the diesel leaking from injector pumps ect ect, but still I feel the middle for me..

[howdamnhard]

The only time I pay particular attention to avoiding the center of the lane is areas where cars spend a lot of time stationary or near stationary. On open roads you are often better off in the middle of the lane to avoid the tar bleed. Where there is no good option, slow down and open up your distances.

Excellent advise. I have been pondering all this whilst riding in the wet of late and it makes sense. Just shows there are no hard and fast rules as to where you must ride in the lane but is determined rather by the conditions and circumstances and one should be able to remain flexible and adapt to change.

[The Stranger:Me]

Excellent advise. I have been pondering all this whilst riding in the wet of late and it makes sense. Just shows there are no hard and fast rules as to where you must ride in the lane but is determined rather by the conditions and circumstances and one should be able to remain flexible and adapt to change.

You are absoultely correct. No hard fast rule (hence my dislike of staggered formation) however, if there is no compelling reason for riding in a particular position I would suggest the correct place to be is the right wheel track where you both see and be seen better.

[h_tron]

the shiney-ness draws me in with its sparkel

[ManDownUnder]

Obviously avoid the "runny honey"

Yup - no-one likes sloppy seconds...!

ok - back to the topic at hand...

[lankyman]

There are far too many variables to take into account. Read the road to the best of you're ability, and make the a desicion based on the given situation.

[MSTRS:Me]

There are far too many variables to take into account. Read the road to the best of you're ability, and make the a desicion based on the given situation.

Of course. Adapt position etc to suit. In saying that, I can't think of an instance where I would choose the smooth tar bleed area over a still-chipped area. Except in a straight line when it's dry.

[duckonin]

You are absoultely correct. No hard fast rule (hence my dislike of staggered formation) however, if there is no compelling reason for riding in a particular position I would suggest the correct place to be is the right wheel track where you both see and be seen better.

The correct place to be on the road is the right place to be, not so much of this "right wheel track" use all of the road for vis and for others to see U, no hard and fast rule as u say..just the right place all of the time hopefully..

[slofox]

The correct place to be on the road is the right place to be,

Yep. The non-slippery bit for me please...

[MarkH]

You should never 'always ride in the right wheel track'. You should always look ahead and keep the brain engaged. If you see that the wheel tracks are as smooth as glass then you should be willing to consider riding on the less smooth centre instead. If your instincts & experience tells you that you should move to a different road position then do so - there are no rules, only general guidelines! 'Ride in the right wheel track' is a guideline, not a rule (pretty much what The Stranger said).

I will ride where I feel the safest riding and will reconsider as necessary.

[laRIKin]

Interesting.
To me and a mate that repairs roads.
A tar snake is the repair done to a crack in the tar.
Normally a few inches wide and follows the crack across the road.