BRP riders alert

[eap]

FYI - This is a C&P item that was reported on the TwinValleyRider list - TVR is a Roanoke, Va. all moto group... Reprinted here without permission....

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Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 17:45:36 -0000
From: "randys955i"
Subject: BRP riders beware!

I saw this on the news at noon. I cut this out of the News 7 website
and edited out most of the the news tags for your convenience:

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People who like to take a relaxing drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway
can expect some changes soon.
As Justin McLeod reports it is an effort to make things safer on the
popular rodeway.

It is a place that attracts people locally and from around the
country (QUICK NAT SOUND OF MOTORCYCLES AT 15:48:48)...all 469-miles
of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
((BRENDA BURKES: I JUST LOVE IT. IT'S BEAUTIFUL.))
((OWEN BURKERS: OH YES, PRETTY SCENERY.))

Pretty scenery but also the scene of many accidents.
The number of crashes on the parkway is up 43-percent from five years
ago.

((STEVE BUXTON/PARK RANGER: WHEN PEOPLE ARE DISTRACTED FROM OBJECTS
ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT TENDS TO INCREASE ACCIDENTS.))

It is an increase that rises significantly from now until late fall.
Last year, the Parkway recorded 130 accidents during the months of
August, September, and October.

((JUSTIN McLEOD/REPORTING: A LOT OF THOSE ACCIDENTS ARE HAPPENING IN
CURVES. PARK RANGERS SAY THEY SOMETIMES CLOCK DRIVERS GOING 70 TO 80
MILES PER HOUR IN A CURVE. THAT'S WHY THEY PLAN TO PUT UP MORE
WARNING SIGNS IN THE COMING MONTHS TELLING YOU TO SLOW DOWN.))

The Park Service is also launching operation 11 to 7.
All available rangers will now patrol the parkway on Saturday and
Sunday when many of the accidents seem to happen.

((ED CLARK/PARK RANGER: WE WOULD ASK FOLKS TO STOP, SLOW DOWN, TO
TAKE IN THE SIGHTS BUT TO TRAVEL SAFELY AND REALLY OBSERVE THAT 45
MILE A HOUR SPEED LIMIT SIGN.))

((NAT SOUND OF MOTORCYCLES DRIVING BY))
The Park Service has found motorcyles are involved in a high number
of accidents.

((NAT SOUND OF RANGER ON RADIO SAYING "I CAN'T MAKE THE MODEL OF THE
VEHICLE" AT 15:57:48 TAPE 1))

Rangers don't know why but plan to study ways to reduce that number.
It is all in an effort to make your ride on the parkway enjoyable
without taking a turn for the worse. (SHOT AT 59:28, TAPE 2)
Justin McLeod, News 7, Roanoke County.))

Randy Sperger
'00 Triumph Sprint RS
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[freaking RT]

that really doesn't suprise me. late summer and early fall are when the tree peepers head up there. it gets crowded.

I stay away except for a photo run one day. and I expect to be up there a long time with all the cagers

the best time of the year to go up there and flog it is winter. you can see through the trees around the curves.

[Steverino]

Is not a good time. DAMHIK

[pfestus1]

Sad but true, all the local media have been all over that story. There have been a rash of accidents both 4 wheelers and bikes on the Parkway lately, and they are cracking down. Pulling Rangers off of other duties to patrol and run radar. So my plan is to pretty much stay off the BRP for a while, and when I'm on it to stay with in a brake lever tap of 45 mph. Generally the Rangers are pretty forgiving, but I suspect not for the forseeable future.