Hi. I ride all year long in all weather, in rainy Seattle.
Rides: Honda Rebel, Honda Helix
(I'm currently shopping for something with a tad more horsepower. Probably a bigger cruiser, as they seem to handle wet roads better than sportbikes. Center of gravity, fork angle, and such.
Gear: (I live in rainy Seattle, so my gear is.. geared... for dryness and warmth)
Helmet: HJC modular & balaclava
Jacket: Tourmaster
Gloves: Klim Element leather, with a 2nd pair of wool underneath on really cold days.
Pants: insulation, jeans, pullover waterproof pants.
Boots: dexter waterproof
I don't own a car, so the bikes are my only form of transport. Ask me anything!
Rebel: http://imgur.com/a/Nbpq4
Rebel&Helix: http://imgur.com/hsTu4uG
view the rest of the comments →
[–] SkinnyMagna [S] ago
Lane splitting is still illegal in most states, including Washington. It would definitely be useful to allow filtering, which is riding forward between lanes at a stoplight. I only filter at the right lane when I need to make that right turn at a stop. That is, when all the vehicles are stopped and not moving, i'll do it to make that right turn. When filtering becomes legal, i'll do the middle lanes at stop lights too. I don't like the idea of splitting lanes at speed, simply because it shrinks the safety zone around me. Safety room is much more important than getting a little bit ahead.
A note on that same thought: There aren't many year-round riders here, those I do observe are always courteous and careful. However, there are many sunshine cruisers and squids who only come out on the nice days, and they tend to ride like absolute jackwipes.
[–] ABACABB ago (edited ago)
Cool. Lane filtering as you called should deffinitely be legal. as a cyclist I know it keeps me safer. Im from California so split away when you ride here! Just do it at a reasonable speed compared to traffic flow. I asked the question cause a bike did a suicide split on me this morning when I was in my car. Splitting lanes on my right goes behind me and splits on my left all while going way over the allotted 5 mph difference. Had to change my pants.
[–] SkinnyMagna [S] ago
Wow, what a douche. Glad you're alright.