NOAA automated weather service can seem to shrug its shoulders at how fast storms develop and sweep west to east. I am talking lots of ground strike lightening and tornado activity, heavy rains and flash flooding. You need to know where you are, where you are going
and what your emergency options are. Be conscious of what is going on around you and
remain safe. Carry foul weather gear including a helmet even if you do not plan to wear it.
LOCATION: Know where you are at all times. This may sound like a no brainer, but there
may be many ways home where you ride daily or on weekends. Not so in South Dakota
and other states where 20 below winters can destroy a spring chip and seal on an asphalt
highway by December first. You have two choices on these roads. Go all the way to the next
town, which can be 45 minutes to an hour or more away or, be prepared to turn around and
go back the way you came, possibly inclement weather. Either way, what you do when you
are out riding requires you to commit and to have a plan B.
LOCOMOTION: No gas, no go... that has been true since time immemorial. And while
there is plenty of gas in South Dakota and around the rally. It can be a long way to it if you
have to walk there on the back roads because you thought half a tank would get you there.
And if you are crossing Wyoming or Nebraska to hit a traffic artery, the same is equally true.
Plan your stops, know how far you can go with the load you are carrying... plan for tailwinds
but expect headwinds. It is always a good idea to top off your tank anytime you stop and
there is a gas station. Better safe than sorry.
www.thunderroadscolorado.com
October 2016
Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado 13