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03-14-2008, 09:53 PM
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#1
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Liquid Cooled
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
near Indy
, Indiana
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 745
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Awareness Test
There are a couple of blogs I visit sorta' regularly, and today, one of them had this link to an Awareness Test. It's actually a PSA, and since we're getting into travel season, quite the timely little gem.
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03-14-2008, 10:41 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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Well, it got me.
This is good.
Thanks,
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
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03-14-2008, 11:23 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Me too.
I ride a bit too, and always try to be curteous to bikes. It really burns me up when you get a group of riders that insist on riding in a group in the lane and won't move over for cars. Maybe it's just a California thing?
Dave
__________________
AIR #15800
"Wimpy" 1/2 ton 2002 GMC Sierra 4X4 Z-71 Gasser
2000 Safari SS 25'
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03-15-2008, 03:48 AM
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#4
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Cyclist
2007 28' International CCD
Windermere
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 457
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Great test. I cycle the road several times/week. I can't tell you how much it burns me when incredibly rude and impatient motorists are out and about.
Tom
__________________
2007 28' Int CCD.
2011 F 250 Big Honking Diesel
DTV 5lnb on a tripod.
Wilson wired repeater with YAG.
Two big screens
15dB Backfire WiFi antenna and WaveMagnum
Centramatics.
Hawkshead Tire Monitors.
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03-15-2008, 04:50 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Airstream310
Central
, Ohio
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,094
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What gets me are the bicyclists who insist on riding on roads that are in no way amenable to bikes and cars together (twisty, hilly, no-shoulder, small-lane roads), and they ride in the middle of the lane. Imagine your shock as you, going the speed limit, come around a tight curve or over a tall hill and there is a bicycle immediately in your sights! I ride a bike and know well how to share a lane in my car, but I don't bicycle roads that are just stupid dangerous for bicyclists to ride on, no matter how "fun" or "challenging" they are for the rider.
Bicyclists MUST share the road as well. It's a give and take situation and should never be entirely on the automobile driver, but unfortunately, many bicyclists don't see it that way.
Susan
__________________
"Despite the cost of living, have you noticed how popular it remains?"
1984 310 Limited Motor Home "The Rockin' A"
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03-15-2008, 06:26 AM
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#6
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fyrzowt
Me too.
I ride a bit too, and always try to be curteous to bikes. It really burns me up when you get a group of riders that insist on riding in a group in the lane and won't move over for cars. Maybe it's just a California thing?
Dave
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Nope... it's not just a California thing... I've seen some riders taking up a full lane in morning traffic. Cars backed up with some drivers getting increasing... uh.. frustrated. I've had the same thing happen that Susan described - out on a winding, hilly country road, taking the turn and coming up on a couple riding their bikes in the middle of the road. Thank god I wasn't going fast.
Sharing the road is indeed a shared responsibility.
__________________
.
Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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03-15-2008, 06:32 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
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Got 12 passes, no bear till I watched it again....
Here too, we have groups of cycles that tend to take up the road. No choice in most cases, narrow roads. I find it is not so much the "packs" that cause a problem but the 2's and 3's that like to ride side by each.
I have ridden for years and have had my share of , that was close!
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
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03-15-2008, 06:34 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
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I didn't notice the PSA, or even try to count the passes, I was waiting on the moster/scary pic to jump out and scream at me...
__________________
Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
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03-15-2008, 07:15 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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We have a critical mass of bicyclists, and sometimes they get downright unruly.
If this hasn't happended yet in your city, it will soon.
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03-15-2008, 09:50 AM
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#10
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Several years ago, a group of riders did something similar during morning rushhour traffic on Lamar Blvd. (a major street here). Rather than garner sympathy for their cause, it seemed to backfire and garnered instead, a boatload of resentment to say the least.
When I first learned how to ride a bike, I learned pretty quickly you don't play chicken with a car... highway road rage is provoked for things a lot less meaningful!
__________________
.
Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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03-15-2008, 10:02 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
1957 22' Custom
1963 16' Bambi
Vacationland
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alumatube
What gets me are the bicyclists who insist on riding on roads that are in no way amenable to bikes and cars together (twisty, hilly, no-shoulder, small-lane roads), and they ride in the middle of the lane. Imagine your shock as you, going the speed limit, come around a tight curve or over a tall hill and there is a bicycle immediately in your sights! I ride a bike and know well how to share a lane in my car, but I don't bicycle roads that are just stupid dangerous for bicyclists to ride on, no matter how "fun" or "challenging" they are for the rider.
Bicyclists MUST share the road as well. It's a give and take situation and should never be entirely on the automobile driver, but unfortunately, many bicyclists don't see it that way.
Susan
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I think this post exposes your preference for being behind the wheel and not on the bike. Sharing means bikes can use the road also and not just the edge of the road, espesially on a small country road where a bike can get up the speed. Why should the rider try to stay close to the edge and risk going off the edge and crashing just to make room for the motorist?
and if you are travelling at a speed around a corner where you may not be able to react to something around that curve you are probably going too fast.
It is an odd phenomema the makes the driver of a large vehicle more aggressive towards bicycles, and even smaller cars and motorcycles. Even if you do not ride a bicycle, Just drive around a small car for one day and feel what it is like to be undersized.
I say check your own attitude while driving as you come upon a bicyclist next time....feeling a little aggressive and put upon because they are on YOUR road?
that is the problem.
And stupid dangerous is trying to pass when there is not enough room....too close to the rider, or at a upcoming hill in the lane of other cars. Want to see STUPID? ride on a bike and watch the drivers.
But why should the vehicle have to WAIT? They own the road after all!
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03-15-2008, 10:03 AM
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#12
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The Hawk's Lair
1985 34.5' Airstream 345
BACK WOODS
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 922
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A couple of years ago they resurfaced the highway where we live and paved a wide shoulder. We usually have bikers on the road every day, even in the Winter, and it gets to be a real pain.
Once they paved the shoulder we thought that would solve the problem, but nay, nay. Now they like to ride three and four abreast and take up not only the shoulder, but spill into the lane as well. And they call us Rude!
Here we have bike rallys that put these people on our roads all weekend in the summer.
We don't like it!!!
__________________
AKA THE GUNNER
There is no "I" in the word "team," but there are four in "Platitude Quoting Idiot!"
AIRSTREAM 345 TURBO-DIESEL
VFW, LEGION, NRA
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03-15-2008, 10:18 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1962 22' Safari
1957 22' Custom
1963 16' Bambi
Vacationland
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 956
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperhawk
A couple of years ago they resurfaced the highway where we live and paved a wide shoulder. We usually have bikers on the road every day, even in the Winter, and it gets to be a real pain.
Once they paved the shoulder we thought that would solve the problem, but nay, nay. Now they like to ride three and four abreast and take up not only the shoulder, but spill into the lane as well. And they call us Rude!
Here we have bike rallys that put these people on our roads all weekend in the summer.
We don't like it!!!
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How much does that actually happen?
The bike lane. I suppose if you see the town work crew sweeping the lane in spring you will complain about that too. Oh yea, where all the glass, sand and gravel is pushed. Bike lanes are part of the answer, but attitudes like this are the problem, not that more people are riding bikes.
The driver has a steeling wheel, brakes and an accelerator to go around the bicyclist. But why bother doing that if they are on your road. Just drive real close and let them know who's boss.
that's not rude.
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03-15-2008, 10:26 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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So, about that bear.
I found it interesting that none of the folks I sent it to picked up on it either until another look. At first I thought the second showing was a trick one so I went back out and logged back in again and sure enough, there it is.
Dang, if it had been a dog or kid I might just have missed them.
I do know a bunch of years ago I was driving my very lowered '64 Chevelle SS on the highway and the truck in front of us suddenly lost his entire exhaust from the front of the muffler to the rear differential. With a car on my left and a semi on my right I was a bit distracted as the car in particular was weaving over my way a bit and suddenly it was "bang". Tore the oil pan right off. The truck guy glanced in the mirror and kept right on going.
This is a good reminder that there is a lot more going on and we get lulled while driving down the road.
Barry
__________________
Barry & Donna
Life is short - so is the door on a '51 Flying Cloud (ouch)
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03-15-2008, 11:12 AM
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#15
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
.
, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I nearly cvaused the sun to set on one cyclist's empire when we were on US 64 towing Bettha, came down a hill, around a curve, and there he was--in the middle of the lane. We were only doing about 50 at the time, I missed him by inches.
Yes, they have the right, but they can be dead right.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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03-15-2008, 11:35 AM
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#16
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Moderator
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground
, Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safari62
and if you are travelling at a speed around a corner where you may not be able to react to something around that curve you are probably going too fast.
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I disagree entirely. I support bikes on the road and drive very carefully around them, but on our twisty country road where the speed limit is 50, and I come around a corner to find a bike struggling to go uphill maybe doing 10 in the middle of the lane, they are just lucky they don't get killed. There are some places that bikes just shouldn't be ridden. Hilly, twisty country roads with poor visibility is one of them.
__________________
Stephanie
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03-15-2008, 11:44 AM
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#17
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Classic 30
Sum Wear
, Ohio
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 594
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Wonder if anyone got 13 and also saw the bear? I doubt it. I agree there are many many many rude drivers out there. But there are a lot of rude cyclists also. The road in front of my house is a main artery and also has a separate bike path 20 feet off the road. I have seen bikers riding in the road during rush hour holding up traffic flow. I mean come on, how rude can you get? Oh well, such is life
__________________
"Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast" - Oscar Wilde
2500HD DMax............30' Classic
__________________
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03-15-2008, 12:17 PM
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#18
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The Hawk's Lair
1985 34.5' Airstream 345
BACK WOODS
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 922
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safari62
How much does that actually happen?
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Sorry, it happens all the time. This is not a city street but a busy country highway with lots of traffic going both directions. The bikers could easily ride two abreast on the paved shoulder and if they did we would all be a lot happier. They, as you, seem to feel that they have the right of way over everyone else. Its Dangerous!
__________________
AKA THE GUNNER
There is no "I" in the word "team," but there are four in "Platitude Quoting Idiot!"
AIRSTREAM 345 TURBO-DIESEL
VFW, LEGION, NRA
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03-15-2008, 12:27 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
1972 Argosy 20
1976 28' Argosy 28
Indianapolis
, Indiana
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by safari62
I think this post exposes your preference for being behind the wheel and not on the bike. Sharing means bikes can use the road also and not just the edge of the road, espesially on a small country road where a bike can get up the speed. Why should the rider try to stay close to the edge and risk going off the edge and crashing just to make room for the motorist?
and if you are travelling at a speed around a corner where you may not be able to react to something around that curve you are probably going too fast.
It is an odd phenomema the makes the driver of a large vehicle more aggressive towards bicycles, and even smaller cars and motorcycles. Even if you do not ride a bicycle, Just drive around a small car for one day and feel what it is like to be undersized.
I say check your own attitude while driving as you come upon a bicyclist next time....feeling a little aggressive and put upon because they are on YOUR road?
that is the problem.
And stupid dangerous is trying to pass when there is not enough room....too close to the rider, or at a upcoming hill in the lane of other cars. Want to see STUPID? ride on a bike and watch the drivers.
But why should the vehicle have to WAIT? They own the road after all!
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So following your logic regarding curves, since the typical speed traveled by a bicyclist (at least in our CIBA group) is about 20 to 35 miles per hour, we shouldn't approach any blind curves at more than that? There are stupid drivers and there are stupid riders. They are usually easy to spot both on the road and on the internet.
Member - TOFJUOC (The Organization for the Judicious Use of CAPS)
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03-15-2008, 12:29 PM
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#20
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Liquid Cooled
2017 27' Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
near Indy
, Indiana
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 745
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I'm fascinated by how the responses are in two categories:
First, and predominately, a slightly veiled "I wish they wouldn't ride on roads I drive on", and second, a much better appreciation of what the PSA is intending to get across: as a species we aren't as observant as we think we are. The fact that it was sponsored by a cycling group is immaterial. It could just as well have been sponsored by a motorcycle group, an aircraft pilots association, or J.B. Hunt.
As far as going around blind corners at speed, I'm appalled at some of the thoughts. When I was 16, my parents convinced me to get a 750cc motorcycle, and attempted to teach me some useful paranoia. As a general rule, I assume there will be gravel on each corner, a broken down cement truck over each blind rise, and a deer ready to jump out behind each tree.
When I was flying sailplanes, many of the pilots in my club had participated in the recent unpleasantness in Southeast Asia. "Always leave yourself an out" was what they preached. "Never, ever allow yourself to get in a situation where you have no alternatives." I considered this good advice, doubly so coming from a former Wild Weasel pilot - both Thuds and F-4's.
As far as the cycling aspect of this goes, I've seen both sides. I lack about 800 miles of having crossed the country twice north to south and once east to west (and gone a time zone east of Maine to boot). Believe me when I say that the two scariest things on the road are a teen ager in an expensive car and an RV in the mountains.
Re-reading a couple of the responses on this thread, I'd like to note that nothing is worse than coming down a mountain pass at 45mph, rounding a corner and seeing an RV slowing to 15 for each switchback. They should have more sense than to be on the road. I don't mind that RV's are on the road, but they shouldn't ever be allowed in mountainous or hilly areas.
Of course I don't really believe that. There is room enough for all. And we all need some slack from each other from time to time. Occasionally, I take two lanes to make a 90 degree turn while pulling the Airstream.
Sometimes, believe it or not, other people say exactly the same things about RV's that a couple of people here are saying about legal, tax paying, road users. I pull at about 60mph, and am certain that I have been soundly cursed for doing so in a 70mph zone.
As far as the shoulder... Sometimes they're good. Sometimes they have a surprising amount of gravel, broken glass, and debris. This can change on a week to week basis.
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