Damned pea metal: Again!

[jellywrestler]

Day off on Friday - so took the wife on back of the Sprint over the Paraparas and on to Ohakune etc. Expected some detritus on a few corners - and it was not too bad really - right up to about 70% in from the Wonga end and we got a 75kph RH bend with loose metal on the apex. Knees in on my thighs - the missus - she felt the rear wheel skate out from under us...ahhhh....came back. For fuksake..how many more damned stoney, boney, dusty corners are ther out there (with no signs)?
Had another scary moment going through the desert road last month - another 75k corner and a case of gravel on that too....whooo...back on line - luckily as it was double laner and we had a truck on our LHS...in a slow traffic lane..but hell why don't they sweep the f'ing roads nowadays ? Used to see sweeping machines - on tractors back whenever. Today it seems they are not used. They spray shit on the surface and wait for vehicles to squish it down!
OK I 'm a chicken shit..(now). Too old for death.

if there's shit on a corner it spreads, try listening for the clues as other vechiles will pick it up and drag it along, the tell tale tinkle of the stones early on should be enough to get the senses into action and avoid whatevers coming up. it's not hard

[Zedder]

NZTA worksite signage requirements:http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/co...n-b-4th-ed.pdf

[Trade_nancy]

NZTA worksite signage requirements:http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/co...n-b-4th-ed.pdf

Thanks Zedder - that indicates (page 14) that the contractor is not doing it to rules - as sign TR31 should be in place until ALL loose metal is removed. I'll send that on to NZTA for comment.

[FJRider]

Thanks Zedder - that indicates (page 14) that the contractor is not doing it to rules - as sign TR31 should be in place until ALL loose metal is removed. I'll send that on to NZTA for comment.

Your concern for the adherence to the rules impresses me. No doubt YOUR own adherence to the "rules" as written in NZ legislation will be the SAME as you obviously expect from the Contractors responsible for roadworks in that area. In the interest of everybody's safety ... of course.

If you don't ... you are hardly in a position to expect everybody (well the contractors anyway) to obey the rules ALL the time.

[Asher]

Thanks Zedder - that indicates (page 14) that the contractor is not doing it to rules - as sign TR31 should be in place until ALL loose metal is removed. I'll send that on to NZTA for comment.

They probably do remove all the loose metal, its just as the do such a shit job the road instantly starts to disintegrat and spread metal around

[jellywrestler]

They probably do remove all the loose metal, its just as the do such a shit job the road instantly starts to disintegrat and spread metal around

or it's flicked up by vechiles cutting the corners where it's been swept into...

[speeding_ant]

Yes I wouldn't be surprised either. They 'resurfaced' Shelly Bay road here leaving it awash with gravel. its a notorious place for boy racers and such. 'Traffic calming' is the term

+1

That new seal is bloody shocking. 50km/h zone, skinny road, with a foot of the middle of the road covered in gravel the whole way. If someone cuts a corner, and you have to quickly brake, there is not a lot of room to brake safely. I've tried emergency braking in gravel before, at slow speeds it's a total bitch.

[Trade_nancy]

Your concern for the adherence to the rules impresses me. No doubt YOUR own adherence to the "rules" as written in NZ legislation will be the SAME as you obviously expect from the Contractors responsible for roadworks in that area. In the interest of everybody's safety ... of course.

If you don't ... you are hardly in a position to expect everybody (well the contractors anyway) to obey the rules ALL the time.

Yes....if it were a professional obligation on my part to deliver an outcome and I was paid to do so...
Plus you highlight the word ..ALL..(the time)....well they were quoted as stating it was their method - to NOT place suitable signage warning of road repairs - just to place a 50kph sign. Were it a one-off omission - yeh,..nobody is perfect. But to state in writing that they DON'T follow the printed rules...well,...what's your problem? Don't you want the roads improved? Do you think they are good?

[Zedder]

or it's flicked up by vechiles cutting the corners where it's been swept into...

A lot of the problem is pressure on contractors to get the road open again as soon as possible.

Due to this, back in 2008, a new practice called racked-in seal was brought in which is a process of laying big chips first then smaller chips to fill the gaps. It can go wrong depending on a few factors, but the road shouldn't be left in a dangerous state.

NZTA welcomes driver/rider feedback to get things right and has a dedicated phone line for this purpose: 0800 44 44 49.

[FJRider]

Yes....if it were a professional obligation on my part to deliver an outcome and I was paid to do so...
Plus you highlight the word ..ALL..(the time)....well they were quoted as stating it was their method - to NOT place suitable signage warning of road repairs - just to place a 50kph sign. Were it a one-off omission - yeh,..nobody is perfect. But to state in writing that they DON'T follow the printed rules...well,...what's your problem? Don't you want the roads improved? Do you think they are good?

You have a legal obligation to ensure the set (and legislated) standard of driving on the roads. Not just if it suits ... at the time. If you choose not to obey "Printed rules" why should they.

So there was a 50 km/hr placed before those road repairs you "found" .. ???

I would have thought that sign would have suggested some danger to you .. might be found ahead (a high probability of roadworks at least) ...

If NO such signage was there ... then there was an issue with the contractors code of practice. If there was and you chose to ignore it ... is that their fault you had issues .. ??

I've really had no issues with road conditions in any part of the country. Some I have found that "Need Work" ... and have reported dangerous portions of roadway to the appropriate authorities at the time. I certainly do not expect Racetrack standards of roading in all cases.
Main roads with high volume and heavy vehicle use ... especially winding areas are subject to a high expectation of damage.

You stated in the original post that you expected gravel.

As previously mentioned in other posts ... plenty of warning signs (excuse the pun) are there if you look.

[Zedder]

How's the hip FJR? Giving ya jip?

[Trade_nancy]

You have a legal obligation to ensure the set (and legislated) standard of driving on the roads. Not just if it suits ... at the time. If you choose not to obey "Printed rules" why should they.
A. I do, I'm perfect like you.

So there was a 50 km/hr placed before those road repairs you "found" .. ???
A. No. But there are 25, 35, 45 50, 65, 70, 75, 85, 100kph signs all over this and othe roads. They are not a warning of surface issues - just an advisory speed. If I were riding down a 20km straight and suddenly came on a 50kph sign - I would think - oh, what's this and slow. Why would I expect debris on a corner with a 50kph sign on it - if one was there at all?I would have thought that sign would have suggested some danger to you .. might be found ahead (a high probability of roadworks at least) ...
A. NO. As I saw no sign and if I did unless it resembled a temporary placed or warning sign I'd assume it was a corner rated speed sign.If NO such signage was there ... then there was an issue with the contractors code of practice.
A. At last you are making some sense.
If there was and you chose to ignore it ... is that their fault you had issues .. ??
A. Hyperthetical if, but, what if, and or maybe....take a pill and chill.I've really had no issues with road conditions in any part of the country. Some I have found that "Need Work" ... and have reported dangerous portions of roadway to the appropriate authorities at the time. I certainly do not expect Racetrack standards of roading in all cases.
A: So - 1st you've had NO issues- ANYWHERE. Next you say - you have reported "dangerous" portions....contradictory person aren't you?Main roads with high volume and heavy vehicle use ... especially winding areas are subject to a high expectation of damage.
A: Gee, that's good to know!You stated in the original post that you expected gravel.
A. yep - and rode sedately. Gravel still came as a surprise.

As previously mentioned in other posts ... plenty of warning signs (excuse the pun) are there if you look.

A. If u are happy with the world - go away and enjoy it - you are wasted here - such an expert in all facets of life.

[leathel]

The signage and lack of it is only part of the issue, The other big issue is when pipe lines etc are dug up then patched as if a 5year old has been on the gear, We have several companies doing work in the area at the moment and some of the repairs are akin to judder bars, The bad repairs got reported.....and months later no difference and one of the said reported areas there in no room to avoid others if someone does cross the line, in a cutting on a corner in open road

Easter weekend there was a fair amount of fresh repairs where I went with no signage and plenty of loose gravel on top, I would doubt it was swept, Following weekend it was free of gravel so must have been swept then but more patches with 30K signs at the start but several K's between repairs, a stretch of about 30 K's with a few repairs and not all marked and it was guessing game when you hit the next lot. Are you supposed to travel 30K's for the whole area for a few 2-3 long repairs ??

Its a double edged sword for me as I get work from these gravel patches when cage drives panic and crash...... But its not fun finding them on the bike but I have yet to drop the bike on one, Usually going slow enough..... You should always ride like there will be an issue around the corner but if contractors took care in what they did it sure would make life better for all, Some areas of the country do well and sign the work well but others

[FJRider]

A. I do, I'm perfect like you.

Nice of you to say ...

So there was a 50 km/hr placed before those road repairs you "found" .. ???

A. No. But there are 25, 35, 45 50, 65, 70, 75, 85, 100kph signs all over this and othe roads. They are not a warning of surface issues - just an advisory speed. If I were riding down a 20km straight and suddenly came on a 50kph sign - I would think - oh, what's this and slow. Why would I expect debris on a corner with a 50kph sign on it - if one was there at all?

So you have the assumption that road surfaces have no relevance to posted temporary speed limits .. ??? and the assumption that no debris would be on a posted advisory 75 km/hr corner. After already finding gravel on previous such corners ...

I would have thought that sign would have suggested some danger to you .. might be found ahead (a high probability of roadworks at least) ...

A. NO. As I saw no sign and if I did unless it resembled a temporary placed or warning sign I'd assume it was a corner rated speed sign.If NO such signage was there ... then there was an issue with the contractors code of practice.

First you say there was no sign. Then you say you never saw a sign. Which infers there "could" have been a sign there. But didn't see it.
You already "found" gravel in previous corners but failed to notice gravel in following corners.

A. At last you are making some sense.

nice of you to say.

If there was and you chose to ignore it ... is that their fault you had issues .. ??

A. Hyperthetical if, but, what if, and or maybe....take a pill and chill.

Had you taken your own advice at the time ...

A: So - 1st you've had NO issues- ANYWHERE. Next you say - you have reported "dangerous" portions....contradictory person aren't you?

As an experienced rider ... I am well capable of dealing with road issues (without bitching about it online). If this means "discretion" with the throttle when loose gravel is found in roads with a series of winding corners ... so be it.

Main roads with high volume and heavy vehicle use ... especially winding areas are subject to a high expectation of damage.

A: Gee, that's good to know!

It is my pleasure to inform the unknowing ..

You stated in the original post that you expected gravel.

A. yep - and rode sedately. Gravel still came as a surprise.

Expected things are always a surprise.

As previously mentioned in other posts ... plenty of warning signs (excuse the pun) are there if you look.

A. If u are happy with the world - go away and enjoy it - you are wasted here - such an expert in all facets of life.

I can't go away yet. Still a few to inform. And thank you for your support. It is appreciated.

[leathel]

Nice of you to say ...

So there was a 50 km/hr placed before those road repairs you "found" .. ???

First you say there was no sign. Then you say you never saw a sign. Which infers there "could" have been a sign there. But didn't see it.
You already "found" gravel in previous corners but failed to notice gravel in following corners.



.

So there was a 50 km/hr placed before those road repairs you "found" .. ??? your question......answered below last post
A. No. But there are 25, 35, 45 50, 65, 70, 75, 85, 100kph signs all over this and othe roads. They are not a warning of surface issues - just an advisory speed. If I were riding down a

I believe you need to learn how to read?? The way I read the answer is no there was no sign seen but there are corner speed signs along the road??

This has the potential to be a long thread