The Code of the Road, Again

Today we travelled over 300 miles. Yesterday we did a lot of travelling to get to the Dragon's Tail. For the last two day, we saw more bikers than we have the entire trip. The Dragon's tail is a scenic road in North Carolina. It is sometimes considered the "Devil's Cove" or "Tail of the Dragon" Motorcycle Trail". It is 11 miles with 318 curves. It is one of the most popular cycling routes in America.

Jim and I were on his full dresser Harley Davidson with all of our luggage. Everyone that we asked directions for prior to getting there said, "Be Careful". A few weeks ago another biker said that the Dragon was too beautiful to blast, so we were being very, very careful. Once we got to the end, a biker said that he notice that we were careful and kinda stayed with us. He also suggested a very nice Inn, complete with individual garages for motorcycles. This is an example of how bikers treat each other.

A few years ago, I wrote this in my blog, "One Heck of A Ride"  At that time, we were travelling across county. We went from home, to Atlantic City to the Pacific Coast Highway.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Code of the Road

While traveling across the country again on the Harley, I paid more attention to what I call the “Code of the Road”. Motorcycle riders usually acknowledge each other. They put out their left arm. This is when they are traveling in the opposite direction. If riders pass each other while going the same direction they nod their heads. There are also times when a hand motion means to slow down. The rider extends the left arm and pats the palm several times down using a motion similar to the way a basketball player would bounce a basketball. One time, we pulled off to the side of the road and a rider gave us a thumbs up. I quickly learned that "thumbs up" means, "Are you OK?" At one point we actually needed help because our motorcycle wouldn't start. I thumbed down. Another rider, with one leg (yes, a one-legged rider! He had one prosethic leg), actually stopped for us to check on us. Riders do stop to help each other.

I especially like it when we would see one of those very long freight trains. Jim would wave at the engineer and he would blow his horn.