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[sanjoseduke]

My wife and I took my brand new 2013 Typhoon Maroon CVO Ultra classic out for it's maiden voyage Sunday. We went a couple miles and did not like the wind buffeting with the stock shield. Went back home and installed my Clearview 9.5 inch curved shield. We then headed out to tour the California Delta region near Rio Vista.
All was well cruising at 55 when we ran into a huge swarm of something. With a blink of the eye my windshield as well as the rest of the bike was totally plastered with something. I'll tell you I did not know what we hit, at first it looked like someone had dumped a load of pea gravel on me. I was completely blind for 3 or four seconds all I could see was that I was in the middle of something bad! Then seconds later it was all over and I pulled over to discover that it was honey bees. My guess is that there were probably 10,000 bees plastered all over my bike and my levis. Without the larger shield I can only imagine the number of bee stings my wife an I would have had. As it turned out neither one of us had a single bee splatter on our face or helmets. Without a doubt someone was looking over my shoulder> Thank God.

SanJoseDuke

[B.A.]

Without Googling Rio Vista I'd contribute the following.

Almond groves, very prominent in Cali, "rent" honey bees.  On occasion, when a hive grows to what the bees deem "too many" the bees will SWARM.  That means that up to half the hive will leave to start one of their own.  During this period of movement, they are surprisingly docile.  They do not have a "home" to defend.  More that likely they do not have a queen.  They'll "make one", almost literally, when they find a home.

Bee keepers love this event.  It represents a free hive!  Free bees! You gotta live it!

Glad you didn't have anything worse than that happen.  Like stings or laying down the bike due to lack of "vision".

Ride on, Bro.  It doesn't happen very often.  But, in Cali "farm" country there's lots of bees facilitating pollenization.

[Mrs Rooster]

My wife and I took my brand new 2013 Typhoon Maroon CVO Ultra classic out for it's maiden voyage Sunday. We went a couple miles and did not like the wind buffeting with the stock shield. Went back home and installed my Clearview 9.5 inch curved shield. We then headed out to tour the California Delta region near Rio Vista.
All was well cruising at 55 when we ran into a huge swarm of something. With a blink of the eye my windshield as well as the rest of the bike was totally plastered with something. I'll tell you I did not know what we hit, at first it looked like someone had dumped a load of pea gravel on me. I was completely blind for 3 or four seconds all I could see was that I was in the middle of something bad! Then seconds later it was all over and I pulled over to discover that it was honey bees. My guess is that there were probably 10,000 bees plastered all over my bike and my levis. Without the larger shield I can only imagine the number of bee stings my wife an I would have had. As it turned out neither one of us had a single bee splatter on our face or helmets. Without a doubt someone was looking over my shoulder> Thank God.

SanJoseDuke

Glad you and Wanda are ok.....BUT, you get a new bike and NO pictures 

[JCZ]

Duke, happy to hear that you and Wanda came out of that unscathed.  It brought back memories....Bike Fest up in Mariposa about twenty five years ago.....ended up in the hospital for the night.  Numerous stings in my throat and chest. 

The bee farmer is probably upset that you cleared one of his hives.    I see them set out all over the delta right now.....up in the foot hills, too.

So, you getting that bike?  You need something new to help fill all those garages.

Will swing by soon....say hi to you and Wanda.  Be good to see you two again.

[JCZ]

P/S.....now that you're out of San Jose.....I still think you should change your user name to Duke Tracy. 

[sanjoseduke]

Sounds good, how do I do it? Also I forgot how to change my Avitar.

[JCZ]

Sounds good, how do I do it? Also I forgot how to change my Avitar.

Well, before you change that avatar photo....you might want to wait until I come down and get some good shots of you on that 13 SEUC.    P/S  I'm available this weekend...let me know?

To change your username:  Up near the top in the dark blue header, click on "Profile".  Then click on "Account Related Settings" and then on "Name".  Change the name and then scroll to the bottom of that page and click on "Change Profile".

To change your avatar:  Again, click on "Profile".  Then click on "Forum Profile Settings".  Change your avatar and then scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Change Profile".

[miker]

Whew...Glad to hear you made it ok Duke...

I thought it was just me years ago something similar happened riding out Grizzly Island Road, the sloughs in Suisun...stung, splattered and a mess to pick out of my lil honda 400F...I miss cali....

That was 1982 or so...

Oh, and congratulations on the new scoot!

[2018_FLTRXSE]

Without Googling Rio Vista I'd contribute the following.

Almond groves, very prominent in Cali, "rent" honey bees.  On occasion, when a hive grows to what the bees deem "too many" the bees will SWARM.  That means that up to half the hive will leave to start one of their own.  During this period of movement, they are surprisingly docile.  They do not have a "home" to defend.  More that likely they do not have a queen.  They'll "make one", almost literally, when they find a home.

Bee keepers love this event.  It represents a free hive!  Free bees! You gotta live it!

Glad you didn't have anything worse than that happen.  Like stings or laying down the bike due to lack of "vision".

Ride on, Bro.  It doesn't happen very often.  But, in Cali "farm" country there's lots of bees facilitating pollenization.

Happens all over.. last week we had a bunch of them at work...



I've had a bee keeper come out to my house when they decided a tree in my front yard was a good place to stop...





What he told me was similar except the hive creates another queen, then the new one leaves with 1/2 the group in tow... when she stops to rest, thats where they stop.

They hang for a bit, then off again... until they find a suitable place to live.

Hawaii has someo unusual flavors based on the unique tropical flowers here... it is a must have.

[Panhead_Jimmy]

Wanda and Duke,

Glad to hear about the new bike and successful bee encounter, too.  Duke Tracy, indeed!  Pretty cool, I think.

See ya in Santa Fe?

Jimmy

[D-N-D]

Wow !!!! Glad it all worked.