Some have the time space and budget to play with the big toys. Others have to “make do” with smaller toys. Although, calling it “making do” would be understating the level of the hobby.
Some have the time space and budget to play with the big toys. Others have to “make do” with smaller toys. Although, calling it “making do” would be understating the level of the hobby.
I wrote a post not long ago about how water (uncontrolled) can destroy your house, and how simple things like gutters and paint can protect your investment.
But this isn’t abut anything so trivial…
If you haven’t been paying attention to the news… or you aren’t reading this post in mid to late September (2009), we are having some serious water issues here in Atlanta. The words 100 year flood are making the rounds… and I have NO reason to not believe that. I have been here 20 years and have never seen anything like this.
While out and about today, I saw displaced roads, flooded creeks and rivers flowing over bridges. Those things all happen sometimes, but the word is that there are several HUNDRED roads closed from flooding. And the rain hasn’t stopped.
Here is the important part…
So far there are six people that have died in the floods. Most of them have died in their cars. All of the folks that have died in their cars have died while driving through flooded roadways… and had their cars swept from the road.
Simply, if a creek or river is FLOWING over the road, do drive through it. Sure, you MIGHT make it through if the water is low enough. But you might not. Is it worth it? Not for me…
Stay safe…
I am perfectly willing to admit that I have taken Jeeps through creeks that were fairly deep. Even some that were running pretty fast. But there are a couple of HUGE differences. With the larger tires and lifted suspensions, the vehicle is well out of the water. A standard sedan starts getting pushed by the water as low as six or seven inches. My jeep kept the body clear of the water for almost two feet…
And then there was a “happening” in Kane Creek in Moab, UT. Some friends had a Jeep start to float while crossing the rain swollen creek. The Jeep would have kept floating for a while it not attached by winch cable to a stable object. As it was, it rolled in the creek, and the driver barely escaped a dunking by climbing out the passenger side and jumping to shore. The Jeep was totaled. It could have easily been much worse.
And stay smart…
Today I saw a car parked in the middle of the road after a deep spot (pooled, not flowing). The engine may have been toast (we call it hydro-locked. Water doesn’t compress, so if it gets into the engine, bad things can happen. And the worst thing to possibly do is try to turn the engine over with the starter if it stalls in the water. Instead, get towed out, and then take out the spark plugs. Turn the engine over with the starter (watch out, because gas/water may spray out a few feet). Shoot a little WD-40 in each cylinder and then reinstall the spark plugs. If there are ugly, unnatural sounds, it might be too late, the damage may already be done.
Sounds like good reasons to NOT drive in deep water, huh? Death or mechanical devastation…
Too bad there aren’t any good sand dunes around here. If there were, I might have to start lobbying for one of these things… Sand-X
I have been visiting Millenium Cycle Works since before they moved to their current location. They always seem to have a lot of cool cycles in stock.
Cruisers, Sport Bikes, Dirt Bikes, ATVs, UTVs, Scooters and even Personal Water Craft.
They carry Kawasaki and Yamaha motorcycles and other vehicles, as well as accessories and parts… and service. With a wide variety of each.
Best of all, they are a friendly bunch. I’ve stopped in several times, asking questions or letting one of my boys “drive” a Rhino, Mule or ATV.
This was the first time I had the opportunity to introduce myself to the owner, Ken Shiver, although we had actually talked about one of my favorite bikes a few years ago, the Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter. He told me that even though they were out of production, he would likely be able to find one for me, get it shipped in, and make sure it was ready to go. He also let me know that they could set me up with rider classes (I have ridden dirt bikes… but it has been a LONG time).
Millenium Cycle Works also keeps abreat of the many charity rides and events around the Atlanta area. Stop by, pick up a new toy or some new accessories for the old toy, and say hello. They are on US78, near the Yellow River Game Ranch.
BTW, Ken didn’t get a heads up. He knows his product, so despite the time from me walking in asking if he wanted to do this to him coming up with the “script” was about 3 minutes. The audio is a little rough, and that owuld be all my fault…