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[indcoltz]

I would look for a couple of nice alternative routes on a map and change up my route on those hot congested days. But we are all creatures of habit and get used to going on one route and hate to change. I would think that there are a few places a person could get off and enjoy a nice ride through some different roads.

[JCZ]

I would look for a couple of nice alternative routes on a map and change up my route on those hot congested days. But we are all creatures of habit and get used to going on one route and hate to change. I would think that there are a few places a person could get off and enjoy a nice ride through some different roads.

When is the last time you were in Calif?

From time to time we try alternative routes, along with millions of other people.....surface streets are worse.  I'm not even in the LA basin or the bay area and it usually takes half hour to go 7 miles.  It's all part of the price we pay to live in this beautiful state.

[Eagle Eye]

X2

[9 1/2 Beers]

I would look for a couple of nice alternative routes on a map and change up my route on those hot congested days. But we are all creatures of habit and get used to going on one route and hate to change. I would think that there are a few places a person could get off and enjoy a nice ride through some different roads.

 
 
 Sigalert.com

 This ain't Checkers, This is Chess out there, you just give it a look see right about rush hour  

 Marty

 PIC is Hwy 15 North to Vegas (27 Miles of traffic)

[Screamin]

Like the link a lot Marty.

[darth davidson]

In Florida lane splitting is illegal.  You will get a ticket if spotted, plus if you hit somebody you;re double screwed  .

[CVOThunder]

No where near the same deal but I got caught in Portland traffic heading to Vancouver, WA. I pulled over to let her cool and then hit the city streets. Wasn't fast but it was faster the the freeway. Finally got to a point before the bridge and everything was stopped so I let her cool again while checking the GPS. Must not have done a very good job cuz heading west from the 5 the road dead ended 10 miles ahead. Caught it way before then then went east just burning up full and enjoying less traveled roads until traffic cleared around 1830. 

[JCZ]

  http://www.sigalert.com/Map.asp#lat=32.83571&lon=-116.85158&z=2
 
 This ain't Checkers, This is Chess out there, you just give it a look see right about rush hour  

 Marty

 PIC is Hwy 15 North to Vegas (27 Miles of traffic)

Marty's pic. makes a couple of points.....bumper to bumper traffic and no surface streets.  However, it also shows that for the most part, drivers will move over to let the bikes go by.  If it's a holiday weekend, that freeway will look like that all the way to Vegas!

[GregKhougaz]

Splitting, like riding can be done with "reasonable" safety.  That is a relative term.  The same riders who are not safe in general seem to be the ones who split recklessly.  At the Love Ride this November, a couple died (they were crushed) when the rider tried to split past an 18 wheel tanker.  I went to Sturgis with the rider some years ago and would say he was of average skill.  This just shows that you must be on guard at all times!! 

From KTLA:  "The crash happened on the northbound 5 Freeway at Branford Street before 11 a.m. Sunday just as bikers were crowding the freeway for the the 28th annual Love Ride charity fundraiser.
According to California Highway Patrol officials, the driver of the motorcycle was between lanes when he collided with a big rig, instantly killing himself and his female passenger."

The sand in this picture was to collect the blood, not oil. 



Same scene from the opposite direction.  Here is the bike and rig:

[JCZ]

And on a curve?   Sounds like Andy's friend, Danny, that he mentions in his post above.   I've rode with that guy before and it's a scarry proposition if you're going to keep up.

[Eagle Eye]

Splitting lanes on a curve is crazy.  Mix that and tractor trailers and it is a recipe for disaster.  I've seen rice rockets do it on Hwy 17 between Santa Cruz and San Jose.  Nuts!

Wifey and I were riding back from Street Vibes about two years ago, it was raining and snowing at the top near Donner Pass.  There were bikers riding two up on Harleys flying by us like we were standing still.  There had been an accident further down the grade and traffic was backed up for miles.  These guys were doing at least 50 - 60 mph splitting lanes between every kind of vehicle you could imagine; on curves etc.  We were averaging maybe 10-20 mph.  It was way too slick out to be speeding in heavy traffic like that.  Somehow they made it through, but beats me how they did it.  Dumb luck is all I can guess, but that will run out eventually.

Lane splitting can be done safely when common sense is applied. 

RIP and prayers for that poor couple who lost their lives.   Sad.

[timo482]

when i lived on the west coast, in my 20's quite a while ago [i have 25 year old kids now] when traffic stopped you ride between the stopped cars - the trick is to go slow and watch out for cage drivers opening a door on you... other than that its no big deal.

and if you rub your shoe on a car or bang a mirror with your elbow you will be 20 miles down the road before the car ever gets moving again. the car really wont get more than a scuff and your arm will hurt for a few hours, but i always figured i was home drinking a beer and watching my dinner cook on the barbie and the cars were still sitting in traffic so it was worth it.

just the way it is

its like riding next to a concrete median wall or cable median barriers - if you start concentrating on not getting mashed you will - riding is NOT passive, you have to be sort of aggressively avoiding cars because they are not even trying to avoid us. they dont see us, they dont usually like us, they dont think running us over will get them in trouble. so at some point i quit worrying about them and just try not to get tangled up with them. if they are stuck in traffic - go around, dont sit there waiting for the car behind talking on the phone to mash you between the stopped car in front and an front bumper.

to

[indcoltz]

To me lane splitting on a highly congested highway as you all describe is way to dangerous and having to hope some cager isn't ticked because you can do it and he can't. To me it would be no difference than walking on the lane dividing lines and then hoping everyone sees me. It is what it is....

[2018_FLTRXSE]

"Splitting" isnt legal here... nor is riding on the shoulder to pass traffic... The lanes are narrower (or seem to be) than the pics you guys show of the freeways in CA.

I've just learned to leave early, get to town far ahead of traffic and have breakfast and coffee before heading to appointments or classes.

[smkymtnboy]

After reading this thread the only advice i could offer would be to move away far far away. just sounds crazy to this hillbilly. hope some of you guys have offered advice that helps. just sounds like to much of a roll of the dice every time he rides.