If I'm riding across "tornado alley" in mid USA during the last week in May, should I be worried about "Supercells"?
Once you're in the States, drop in at a Radio Shack store and pick up a small weather radio. Local weather is broadcast by NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) on low-power FM radio frequencies with area-specific conditions and forecasts. You're always within range of at least one channel, allowing you to pick up the weather forecast in that local area.
RadioShack.com weather radios (http://www.radioshack.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=weather%20radio&origkw=weather%20radio)
I always travel with one, especially out west. Fortunately, storms of that magnitude can be seen from a couple hundred miles away, so when you see the clouds building, pull over for a snack and listen to the forecast.
Good advice on the radio. Normally storms will pop up quickly in the late afternoon, early evening, and can last until the wee hours of the morning. Just keep a close eye on things. They can be quite dangerous with torrential downpours, hail, high winds, micro bursts, lightening, and of course tornados. Not a good thing to be out in, that's for sure. Let us know where you'll be traveling and how. If you have time, stop by and see some of us while you're here!
Mike
Quote from: "Blacktiger"should I be worried about "Supercells"?
Only if you are in one!
Seriously, as Stretch said, you can see supercell storms from up to 1/2 days ride away. The trick is to know which way they are heading and then adjust your route accordingly. Most of the fronts that cause the wicked supercells are very predictable in respect to the direction that they are heading. Do the radio thing as the above have suggested and you will do fine.
As a precaution, I carry a tarp to get under in an emergency to put over the bike and myself. This is to block some of the hail and torrents of water in the event that you can not find shelter, if you get caught in one of these spring storms. It is entirely possible that the only overhead protection for 30-40 miles in any direction is the helmet on your head.
Quote from: "speedjunkie"Good advice on the radio.
Let us know where you'll be traveling and how. If you have time, stop by and see some of us while you're here!
Mike
I'll see about the radio. Thanks. But I'll be on a limited time scale so can't keep stopping. I've got to get from coast to coast in 7/8 days.
The route I've planned so far is :-
La, Pheonix, Roswell, Lubbock, Oklahoma city, Memphis, Nashville, Blue ridge skyway to DC.
No, those are not my overnight places.
Are you intending to ride the entire Blueridge Parkway/Skyline Drive? Beautiful scenery! You should really check out the Mabry Mill, and Grandfater Mountain. LOTS of scenic overlooks, a few waterfalls, etc. Just so you are aware, that's pretty much a 2 day drive by itself. Unless you plan on blazing thru without any stops. :?: BTW, you should really make the time to ride the Dragon while you are there! Get a t'shirt and some pics while you're there! Have fun!
Mike
Nice thing about tornados.... they appear quickly.....
But you can identify 'telltale signs' of the making of a tornado. Just keep your eyes open, you should be able to stay out of trouble.
( That is of course unless you have stopped at a cafe for some pie and a tornado takes you out... ) ( bummer ... unless of course the pie was pretty good! )
Just make your ride and pull over when you feel the 'electricity' in your hair!
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great ride if you have the time for it. If you're in a hurry, you'll find yourself getting irritated by all the slow tourists in RV's with Florida plates.
Quote from: "Stretch"The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great ride if you have the time for it. If you're in a hurry, you'll find yourself getting irritated by all the slow tourists in RV's with Florida plates.
We call them Victorians up here.
Quote from: "Blacktiger"The route I've planned so far is :-
La, Pheonix, Roswell, Lubbock, Oklahoma city, Memphis, Nashville, Blue ridge skyway to DC.
Heh. Roswell is sort of out-of-the-way, but it's a kick. It's also a major time-waster when you could be hitting sweet alternative routes. Roswell to Texas (to Texas to Texas) is not a 'bad' ride, but there are better. If you must go that way, I'd recommend foregoing Roswell for Carlsbad Caverns.
If you happen to be going through Flagstaff, AZ, you MUST do Alt 89 South to Sedona, maybe all the way to Prescott. Do it in the daylight.
Have a great time, and by all means, take lots of pictures!
Quote from: "speedjunkie"Are you intending to ride the entire Blueridge Parkway/Skyline Drive?
that's pretty much a 2 day drive by itself. Unless you plan on blazing thru without any stops. :?:
Mike
Yes, I've allowed 2 days for the Blue ridge road.
Roswell is en-route because I'm a bit of a UFO believer. Yes I know it's far too commercial, but it's just somewhere an alien nut has to visit.
Quote from: "wasions"If you happen to be going through Flagstaff, AZ, you MUST do Alt 89 South to Sedona, maybe all the way to Prescott. Do it in the daylight.
No, The wrigglies out of L.A. and through Joshua tree NP takes me too far south for Flagstaff. . I've been there a couple of times in a car though and driven the Alt89 twice too. 3 brewpubs in Flagstaff :D :D
Quote from: "speedjunkie"You should really check out the Mabry Mill, and Grandfater Mountain.
a few waterfalls, etc.
you should really make the time to ride the Dragon
Mike
You got grid references for these? My road atlas is to big a scale to show this sort of thing.
Grandfather Mountain is VERY steep and winding.
http://www.grandfather.com/
I figured to heck with it, if you're gonna ride the Dragon, you may has well hit the Cherahola while you're there!
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps_loop.html
The mill.
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~mabry/mill.html
Not far of the parkway, might want to check this out as well.
http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/
Get a guide map when you get out there, that will provide much more info. I know you don't have time for a lot of sightseeing, but there is just SO much to see out there! The wife and I were out there 3 years in a row, and still didn't see nearly everything! Have fun and as said, take lots of pics!
Mike
If you get up near Canyon, Texas (about 100 miles north of Lubbock) make sure to check out Palo Duro Canyon State Park (billed as the 2nd largest canyon in US).
I get down there pretty often on the Tiger and it is great. It is a state park so the speed limit is 30 mph but the view is wonderful and you usually get to see a variety of wildlife.
Let me know if you get in the area and I will go there with you!
Good luck
Quote from: "speedjunkie"Grandfather Mountain is VERY steep and winding.
http://www.grandfather.com/
I figured to heck with it, if you're gonna ride the Dragon, you may has well hit the Cherahola while you're there!
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/maps_loop.html
The mill.
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~mabry/mill.html
Not far of the parkway, might want to check this out as well.
http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/
Get a guide map when you get out there, that will provide much more info. I know you don't have time for a lot of sightseeing, but there is just SO much to see out there! The wife and I were out there 3 years in a row, and still didn't see nearly everything! Have fun and as said, take lots of pics! Mike
Thanks for all that.
I'm going to try to include the tail of the dragon in my route and see Grandfather mountain. The other two I'll leave because I've seen enough mills in my time and I've been to Arches NP http://www.arches.national-park.com/ (http://www.arches.national-park.com/).
One last (maybe) question. What is the availability of accomodation like along the Parkway? On Garmin Mapsource they only show hotels in the bigger towns/cities.
Accomodations that time of the year shouldn't be too bad. Normally you can find something a short drive off the parkway. IIRC there were signs for fuel, meals, and lodging as well.
Mike
Cheers for all that.
I've just heard that I've got longer to do this trip so I'll be doing more meandering along the way.
Quote from: "Blacktiger"Cheers for all that.
I've just heard that I've got longer to do this trip so I'll be doing more meandering along the way.
Good deal!! There are several waterfalls out in that area as well, if you're into that. At least this gives you more time to see more sights across the US if you'd like.
Mike