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Don't go down with the sun
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Some years ago, when Jim Davis and I were safety officers for a chapter of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, we had occasion to go on a group ride with about five other Wingers from Houston to San Marcos, in central Texas. We rode "cross-country" from Houston, which meant we took a leisurely path through Fayetteville and LaGrange, then up toward Smithville and across to Rosanky, Rockne, and Red Rock, and then over to I-35 through several even tinier farm villages.
We ended up on a road that ran parallel to the freeway between Austin and San Antonio. This stretch of interstate goes generally southwest, and it was the time of year when the sun was setting only a few degrees off that angle.
As a result, for the last 10 miles or so of that ride into San Marcos, we were riding directly into a setting sun.
The glare was not only a strain on tired eyes but also a very real safety issue, as it effectively blocked all visual detail in the landscape and made scanning for hazards almost impossible. Sunglasses were nothing in this amount of glare.
Suddenly, as we were coming up to a major overpass, our lead bike radio'd, "Dog in the road!"
His warning saved several riders a bad spill. It was fortunate that we had C.B. communications, because the dog in the road was -- huge. It was roughly the size and shape of an adult Wolfhound (not a small critter! - i.e., in Texas talk, the size of a new calf), and it came completely into the lane in front of the lead bike. Despite its size, it had been in such deep shadow, compared to the brilliant sun, that it couldn't be seen against the glare until he was on top of it, even though we were all covering our brakes and looking out for hazards as we came into an area of civilization after some miles of riding on rural roads.
Everyone avoided the dog -- he ran off as the group advanced after the lead bike avoided him. But by the time we reached our motel, tempers were fraying, the group was threatening to mutiny, and the co-riders were becoming vocal (and everyone knows, "when Mama ain't happy, nobody's happy"). And all because whoever laid out the route didn't allow for the fact that the sun was moving over us as our trip proceeded through the day.
So here's a thought about seasonal trip planning and navigation.
During long summer days, a group of motorcyclists touring together can make good time and cover plenty of miles by getting an early start, when the temperatures are still cool. Even after taking a break in the hottest part of the day, many summer riders are already checked into their night's lodging and enjoying the pool well before sunset. Jim and I like to reach our day's destination before 4 p.m., if possible. By then, we have covered some 400 miles if we get an early start and have no unusual delays. By the time the sun drops to the horizon and starts causing problems with visibility, the bikes are put to bed. So taking that break mid-day doesn't have to compromise the miles you need to get behind you, but it will allow you to survive the fierce summer heat by avoiding the worst of it.
Also, now that we're past the summer solstice, the daylight hours grow shorter. Heading for fall, it often becomes normal or even necessary to keep riding until twilight in order to make the day's destination. This means you may have some miles to cover when the sun is going down, just as we did that day on our trip to San Marcos.
If you're planning a day ride or a trip, save yourself and your riding buddies a headache (literally) or worse. Give some thought to the sun's position relative to routing.
If you're riding eastward, try to do so in the afternoon or evening so that the sun will be behind you. Don't ride into the morning sun. If you have to go north or south, do that first.
If you're westward bound, set off in the morning and keep the sun to your back. If you have to ride north or south, do that later.
While all of us who tour become familiar with riding toward the sun occasionally, with that 'tipped head" position it can require (to permit a helmet edge, Super-Visor(tm), or sunglasses frame to block the brightest light), this should be an occasional remedy and not one regularly used. It shouldn't be done for very long, either, as tipping your head to avoid the rays of the sun mile after mile adds considerably to a rider's fatigue and stress. (Jim and I both have Super-Visors on our helmets these days, and they're a big help once you become accustomed to the view from beneath it.)
When it's become painful or dangerously difficult to see where you're going and what's on the road because of the sun's glare, the best choice is not to ride. Take a break, wait for the glare to diminish, and then go on. Otherwise you may be taking a chance that tearful admonitions to "Go to the Light!" will be the last thing you hear.
For more tips about touring in summer, visit Motorcycle Tips and Techniques, at www.msgroup.org. Send email to Cash@msgroup.org.
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