Road engineers - Tar snakes?

**shrub** · 6th August 2010, 15:14

Originally Posted by mashman

To be fair mate...

the best solution is not to ride those horrid, dangerous things and buy a nice safe SUV. If you insist on owning a bike, buy some quirky old thing and keep it in the shed where it's nice and safe.

**Mom** · 6th August 2010, 15:44

Originally Posted by Big Dave

But they have proliferated recently?

Yes they have. The reason they have is because of the big dry that we have just experienced. The ground under the roads has dired out and shrunk making the road surface subside and break open. They have had to remedy this quickly before the rains came and really opened up the road surface, hence the tar snakes. I went crook at the local council for it, this the explanation given.

And no, they do not equate them with danger for road users.

**shrub** · 6th August 2010, 15:49

Originally Posted by Mom

And no, they do not equate them with danger for road users.

Because nobody has told them that they are. I am in the process of writing a letter to the local council explaining what happens when a motorcycle crosses them in the rain, and no, I'm not going to wait until bikers stop having at-fault crashes.

**Mom** · 6th August 2010, 15:54

Originally Posted by shrub

Because nobody has told them that they are. I am in the process of writing a letter to the local council explaining what happens when a motorcycle crosses them in the rain, and no, I'm not going to wait until bikers stop having at-fault crashes.

I wish you luck with it, I too am not happy sitting back and taking it and am a big campaigner against all things anti motorcycle. My MP has got so sick of my letters over the years hammering him about road conditions in this area for motorcyclists. The local council here is renowned for leaving unmarked road works etc. Point it out to them as often as you like, I reckon they have cloth ears myself

**shrub** · 6th August 2010, 16:10

2 phone calls and email later, and next week I've got a meeting with the road safety team leader at the Christchurch City Council. They have as one of their criteria cutting down the motorcycle crash rate and want to work with us.

**Bald Eagle** · 6th August 2010, 16:16

Good one, working with tptb

**Juzz976** · 6th August 2010, 16:22

We got enough tar snakes in tauranga, even indiana jones wouldnt ride here.

Mutha F#$*&n Crazy ass medusa shEEt goin down oropi road.

I don't mind em, personally they're fun at times and if you got pulled up by mr plod you'd have a good excuse for the loss of traction.

Although I know some noobs gonna get bitten, hell I might too on an off day.

**"D" FZ1** · 6th August 2010, 16:25

Ask the Hippy BD. He's the Bitumen expert

**Spazman727** · 6th August 2010, 16:27

Couldn't they mix sand or something with the tar so they're less slippery or would that not work?

**Katman** · 6th August 2010, 16:28

(It seems everyone in this thread has me on ignore.)

So the tar snakes on Taupo track...........different sort are they?

**shrub** · 6th August 2010, 16:28

Originally Posted by Bald Eagle

Good one, working with tptb

And even though motorcyclists still do dumb shit I didn't get laughed at and told to bugger off.

**Juzz976** · 6th August 2010, 16:39

So the tar snakes on Taupo track...........different sort are they?

Must be, they alright in the dry.

Its when they're wet, especially in some light its hard to see em.

I'd Imagine if the ones were talking about were on the track (wet day) you'd be taking things very easy in areas with them, you'll easily bin at track speeds.

Theres some that are like half rounds and you slip off them while riding straight line.

**Gremlin** · 6th August 2010, 17:54

Originally Posted by Katman

(It seems everyone in this thread has me on ignore.)

So the tar snakes on Taupo track...........different sort are they?

Yes, they are definitely made with a different substance.

There are pieces of roads in Auckland that look like a patchwork quilt and the bike simply won't grip on them. Before you ask, rear suspension is ohlins, michelin PR2 or strada tyres, etc, the snakes have no grip, ESPECIALLY in the wet.

**Katman** · 6th August 2010, 18:00

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Yes, they are definitely made with a different substance.

There are pieces of roads in Auckland that look like a patchwork quilt and the bike simply won't grip on them. Before you ask, rear suspension is ohlins, michelin PR2 or strada tyres, etc, the snakes have no grip, ESPECIALLY in the wet.

So why don't they use the substance that is used on racetracks?