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01-17-09, 08:53 PM
I confront this every time I get rained out on my safe route. My alternate is a 4 lane 50 mph posted (so 60 mph actual) with pretty decent shoulder and full length guardrails, crossing a swampy area. I have about a 100 foot section where the shoulder disappears, and it is about 200 feet after a moderate right curve. The curve is enough to obstruct vision.
More than anything, I watch my mirror and try to estimate what's going to be approaching me when I start the turn, and when I get to the tight spot. Most of the time I signal and take the lane right when I get to the beginning of the curve; that gives the motorists the best vision. However, if there is a large gaggle of them I stay on the shoulder longer to not block traffic. This always puts me into a few anxious moments of watching the mirror and picking the right moment to signal and move over. A couple of times I've had to come to a complete stop and wait for traffic to clear before going past the tight spot.
As far as I'm concerned the ultimate rules of the road were established by Mr. Newton, and I am invisible to motorists.
More than anything, I watch my mirror and try to estimate what's going to be approaching me when I start the turn, and when I get to the tight spot. Most of the time I signal and take the lane right when I get to the beginning of the curve; that gives the motorists the best vision. However, if there is a large gaggle of them I stay on the shoulder longer to not block traffic. This always puts me into a few anxious moments of watching the mirror and picking the right moment to signal and move over. A couple of times I've had to come to a complete stop and wait for traffic to clear before going past the tight spot.
As far as I'm concerned the ultimate rules of the road were established by Mr. Newton, and I am invisible to motorists.