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I commented in mid-2006 about motorcycles in the HOV lane in the context of the state of Virginia ignoring federal highway transportation law. Now here we have New York City defies federal law even after the NYS DMV agreed with the motorcyclist and removed the violation from her record.

Nice example of the rule of law from the Bloomberg administration.

I left the rally on Saturday at Maria’s request and I’ll post about the rally itself later. I packed out and was on the road a bit after noon. I rode Route 7 to 22A, caught VT-17W to cross into NY at Crown Point, 9N to Ticonderoga and then crossed Route 74 to hit the I87 slab for home. I was in bad weather before I got out of Vermont. By the time I got around the hippies in camper vans and the odd farm equipment to 22A, I knew it was going to suck. Not the worst riding weather I’ve seen but heavy rain, ponding water, gusting winds and poor visibility. The weather resistance of the ’stich completely failed- water behind the zippers, water puddling in my crotch, water ponding behind my knees and under my butt. Now I understand why someone shells out nearly $90 for a Frogg Toggs suit. Despite that, I made fairly good time. Once I was good and soaked and accepted that it was of limited duration I eased into it and enjoyed it a bit, sort of like a kid splashing puddles. The GS had fresh Tourances with deep sipes and handled the water well. It was moderately warm and the winds were not too bad. It was unpleasant and my back, shoulders and arms are sore but all in all it I have ridden in worse conditions.

Off to the BMW MOA rally. Ride safely.

I’ve begun my twice-weekly supercommute from Albany to NYC, roughly 165 miles door-to-door. I had to go in to the office four days this week to train new staff but couldn’t face the 330 plus mile round trip each day, so I made for the mid-point and stayed with my in-laws. I really start next week and since I need to be in the office two consecutive days a week, plan to break it up by boarding at an acquaintance’s place for the overnight.

I don’t mind the rain but Wednesday it thunderstormed, really stormed, with penny-sized hail dropped from the sky and lightning striking the ground. It finished off with a tornado that touched down in Hawthorne, a town along my route. Discretion being the better part of valor, I left my bike parked under the FDR underpass and took Metro-North.

A few other observations and comments:

• The aerostich roadcrafter is fine at speed but after an hour of stop-and-go traffic, I’m cooked. Mesh, vents or a multi-layer jacket of the shell, waterproof liner, insulated liner variety is in order.
• I’ve had the ’stich for four years and the zippers are still stiff and the water-resistance of the cordura is limited. The water-resistance gets worse the dirtier the suit gets and I have two years of grime on it. I must wash and retreat it soon (the frequent rinsing by rain and puddles isn’t good enough). I also plan to try treating the zipper fabric with Aquaseal and rubbing beeswax on the teeth.
• Undergear. Ex-officio boxers are the most comfortable undergarment around and they really do wash and air dry overnight. Patagonia cappeline is good but somewhat thick and they are oddly cut with a very high waist. Underarmor is cool wearing but despite being tightly fitted, rides up and the ‘flat’ stiched seams chafe. The wicking t-shirts from Columbia and EMS work but under a polo shirt result in a a soaked polo so I’m changing in the office or just going with the polo shirt and wearing it as it dries.
• I’ve come to the conclusion that blue jeans are the worst thing to wear under the ’stich. Jeans are hot and the heavy cotton cloth soaks and stays wet. Wrinkle-resistant chinos (though no match for the wrinkle-making powers of the ’stich and 90+ degree weather) or tropical weight canvas pants are far more comfortable and less out of place at the office.
• I’d almost forgotton how much I like the R100GSPD. It’s fun, fast enough, dodges traffic easily (as much as I dare) and I’m getting 40+ mpg despite heavy traffic. It’s ugly enough that no one has messed with it when it’s parked though some other motorcyclist help me out by snapping off my right rear turn-signal stem when they leaned their bike on its stand. Thankfully Max BMW had one in stock.
• Sometimes I wish I had a sixth gear and I need a wind shield sized somewhere between the nearly useless stock small fairing and the barn door-sized parabellum. Adding to the wish list, I need a better seat- the stocker is good for ninety minutes before I get pain and have to squirm around. I plan to try an Alaska Leather Buttpad if they have them at the BMW MOA rally.

Motorcycles are permitted in High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes in all fifty states and no highway with any federal funding may restrict access to motorcycles. From 23USC102:

TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS
CHAPTER 1--FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS
SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 102. Program efficiencies

 (a) HOV Passenger Requirements.--
    (1) In general.--A State transportation department shall 
establish the occupancy requirements of vehicles operating in high 
occupancy vehicle lanes; except that no fewer than 2 occupants per 
vehicle may be required and, subject to section 163 of the Surface 
Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, motorcycles and bicycles 
shall not be considered single occupant vehicles.
    (2) Exception for inherently low-emission vehicles.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), before September 30, 2003, a State 
may permit a vehicle with fewer than 2 occupants to operate in high 
occupancy vehicle lanes if the vehicle is certified as an Inherently 
Low-Emission Vehicle pursuant to title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, and is labeled in accordance with, section 88.312-93(c) 
of such title. Such permission may be revoked by the State should 
the State determine it necessary.

(b) Access of Motorcycles.--No State or political subdivision of a 
State may enact or enforce a law that applies only to motorcycles and 
the principal purpose of which is to restrict the access of motorcycles 
to any highway or portion of a highway for which Federal-aid highway 
funds have been utilized for planning, design, construction, or 
maintenance. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the authority of a 
State or political subdivision of a State to regulate motorcycles for 
safety.