Video: Berkeley to Vallejo on I-80 East

[James Burleigh]

Over the last 4 months I've had to commute 30 miles from Berkeley to Vallejo Monday and Wednesday evenings to teach a course at Cal Maritime. For the first time ever I had to commute on possibly the most congested artery in the Bay Area: I-80 between San Francisco and points east. At least I could use the HOV lane. (That's the same I-80 that Silent and I rode in Southern Wyoming on the way to NAFO last summer, at slightly higher speeds. )

Here's a video clip of what I had to deal with twice a week for all those weeks. The first part of the trip before getting on the freeway is having to deal with three miles of University Avenue. Thank goodness for the Blasters. Anyway, I'm glad the class is over....

JB

P.S. I carried my side bags since I needed stowage room, but you can see those alleys between the cars look like freeway lanes from where I'm sitting.

 

[Silent]

Glad to see ya posting again Hans!

 

[Brodie]

Looks familiar, just different road. Sure is nice to have the motorcycle lane to take advantage of.

Nice touch the blast of the horn to let the cage know your there :glare: , then see the local police in cross traffic at the intersection.

A little later getting off the freeway and coming up on the right turner from the left turn lane - Sweeet!.

Welcome to SF Bay area traffic. All we need now is some rain.

Brodie

 

[C&C]

Thanks for sharing. Loved the music that went along with it; especially the "Beach Boys" and "Moody Blues" selections.

 

[Dr. Rich]

Nice to see you back... That road looks really familiar. I'll bet after class on the way home going home it looks a lot different. Rich

 

[ceddec]

Thanks, I enjoyed that. Don't try that in Houston though. You would be considered fair game by the cagers around here. In your video it looks like drivers would open up a little more space for lane splitters. Nice training touch.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Welcome back!

In DC, some of those cars would be collapsing the lane on you.

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

It's good to hear from you again!

"Thinking is the best way to travel" -the Moody Blues

And I think your blinker is still on...

 

[Old Michael]

Neato Hans! You're a bit of a bully with that horn, huh?

I find that very many motorists in this, the real Sunshine State, will pull over to give you room to "share" if they see you coming up.

Everyone in CA is nice as pie.

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Everyone in CA is nice as pie.

Still a trace of Morphine in your system, I see!

 

[7xray]

Welcome back. :yahoo:

 

[airboss]

Welcome back JB, nice video if I ever get to share lanes I'll use it for reference.

 

[madmike2]

Welcome back JB, nice video if I ever get to share lanes I'll use it for reference.

That sounds like a great reason to come out West and visit CA. :yahoo:

 

[airboss]

Maybe in May, I'll be working on the route this winter.

 

[rushes]

Cool video!

But what's with all the cars? Where's everybody goin'?

Howdy Hans!

 

[happyPuppy]

Very familiar , I went to UCB and worked at Moe's ( I know he passed away but is the store there?) . What is with all the SUV's ? There are even more than in WA, where we have some wicked mountain passes and snow ( Like yesterday and today) in the Puget Sound. I noticed at about 3:10 the vehicle way to the left is leaving a large opening ... I hate those, if you split they are so far to the left they can't see you and they will shot across to the right leaving you facing a T Bone situation. I have not been back to the Berkley area in 20 years , even though I grew up, worked and lived in the area a long time. When on business it is almost all in the Valley, and 880 is a bitch. Nice video!

 

[Dudewado]

Nice video, Hans. I gave up all that traffic 20 years ago.

It's very interesting to watch (someone else) doing the lane sharing ballet.

It's good to see you back from re-hab. Who knew peanut M&M's could be so addicting? :dribble:

[SIZE=8pt]edited to add picture[/SIZE]

 

[Ric in Sac]

Welcome back! We missed you.

 

[dcarver]

I'll be the first to say it.

1. Hans, I love you like a brother.

2. Phuck doode, too many chances for error/injury.

3. Get a skinnier bike. With narrow bars. And no bags. Something like SuperMotard. With clipped bars.

4. Move. Get outta there. The city will kill you. The idiot drivers will claim they never saw you.

5. Speaking from experience. Commuted the nastiest of 'freeways' LA had to offer. Now it scares me shit less.

6. Good Luck, mi amigo..

7. Very good to see you posting again! I loved the video; music, video flow... wow.

8. I'd rather see you humping a heifer than splitting SF tail-traffic....

Ok, off da box now...