Mr. Toad's wild ryde

[Gumbeau]

Yesterday, 12/30/14, I checked the weather and decided to ryde to my volunteer job at the VA hospital in Memlo Park. I drive the shuttle cart transporting Vets and staff to and from appointments on campus. I believe it's a great for a Vet to give back to Vets. It's the best thing I've done since I retired. Back to the ryde: I got dressed in my ryding gear (jeans, sweat shirt, field jacket and Vietnam jungle boots) and set out. There was some wind on the ryde in, 12 mph with gust of 20. On the ryde back the wind had picked up to 23 mph with gust of 40+. I have to cross a bridge on the return ryde. As I approached the bridge the gust were almost constant. A gust hit me head on and almost stopped my Spyder. The gust were cross winds as I approached the crest of the bridge. I rode in the center lane at 50 mph. I was blown all over the place. I was never so scared on my Spyder, ever. I finally got home, changed my underwear and had a stiff scotch. I then checked the weather and noticed a wind advisory for my area.

Moral: always check the weather before ryding.

[Dan_Ashley]

Yesterday, 12/30/14, I checked the weather and decided to ryde to my volunteer job at the VA hospital in Memlo Park. I drive the shuttle cart transporting Vets and staff to and from appointments on campus. I believe it's a great for a Vet to give back to Vets. It's the best thing I've done since I retired. Back to the ryde: I got dressed in my ryding gear (jeans, sweat shirt, field jacket and Vietnam jungle boots) and set out. There was some wind on the ryde in, 12 mph with gust of 20. On the ryde back the wind had picked up to 23 mph with gust of 40+. I have to cross a bridge on the return ryde. As I approached the bridge the gust were almost constant. A gust hit me head on and almost stopped my Spyder. The gust were cross winds as I approached the crest of the bridge. I rode in the center lane at 50 mph. I was blown all over the place. I was never so scared on my Spyder, ever. I finally got home, changed my underwear and had a stiff scotch. I then checked the weather and noticed a wind advisory for my area.

Moral: always check the weather before ryding.

do you have a baja Ron sway bar? And do you remember to hold the handle bars loosely. I had the same problem riding in the wind on the San Bernardino freeway through Rialto during the Santa Ana winds. The sway bar and relaxing my grip solved the problem. Sometimes the gusts on that part of the freeway exceed 50.

[Chupaca]

glad you made it home safely. You have to watch bridges in inclement weather. They freeze over first and you are fully exposed. Hug the rails when windy and appoach slower than normal. It is wise to check the weather....

[ARtraveler]

Very glad to hear that you made it back safely. High mph wind gusts can be very disenchanting when they hit unexpectedly.

The information about bridges is right on. I also experience it when riding the high country around the mountain tops. Mother Nature likes to show us who is really in charge sometimes.

[cuznjohn]

i have a weather and radar app on my cell and i always check, glad you made it home and happy new year

[Oldmanzues]

Brideg can be interesting in the wind. As above thou, do not hold the handlebars to tight, which would be naqtural, or it will be worse.
Glad you made it ome okay in all cases
Oldmanzues

[Grandpot]

Thanks for volunteering at the VA hospital.

May the wind be at your back and the scotch be plentiful.

[Gumbeau]

Brideg can be interesting in the wind. As above thou, do not hold the handlebars to tight, which would be naqtural, or it will be worse.
Glad you made it ome okay in all cases
Oldmanzues

Thanks to this forum, I always tell myself "the handle bars are eggs" go gently into that ryde.

[sscheuer47]

to your service to vets.

Was riding the other day with gusty winds when a heavy truck passed from the other direction. You know, the one that seems to slow you down 10 to 20 MPH in an instant. With the heavier sway bar, no dip at all, solid as a rock. Convinced me right there and than that the extra expense was worth it.

[Mrs Gruff]

Quite the lesson learned. We have had terrible winds here in Isleton also. I once had a flat on the San Mateo Bridge and it was not a pleasant experience. Glad you made it to the other end without incident. Hope all your future rides are the best. Thank you for your service and helping others.