Episode 4: Lane Splitting & Filtering, Essential Repair Skills & Tools and Wildlife Encounters   ARR RAW Round Table Discussion with Travellers. Grant Johnson, Brian Rix, Shirley Hardy-Rix, Sam Manicom and Jim Martin. Missing this week is regular Graham Field.   Episode 4 Topics: Lane splitting & Filtering   It’s a dangerous situation for a motorcyclist to be caught in traffic, the stop and go, distracted drivers, etc. The University of California at Berkeley published a report in May 2015 that says “motorcyclists who split lanes in heavy traffic are significantly less likely to be struck from behind by other motorists”. The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety studied safety implications of lane splitting. “A motorcycle’s narrow width can allow it to pass between lanes of stopped or slow moving cars on roadways where the lanes are wide enough to offer an adequate gap. This option can provide an escape route for motorcyclists who would otherwise be trapped or struck from behind. There is evidence that travelling between lanes of stopped or slow-moving cars (i.e. land splitting) on multiple-lane roads (such as interstate highways) slightly reduces crash frequency compared with staying within the lane and moving with other traffic.” Lane splitting and filtering are a normal practice in many countries…Europe…Asia… riders are expected and sometimes required to pass between vehicles and advance to the front of the group.  If you are not accustomed to lane splitting and filtering (prohibited in most of United States and Canada) and you go to a country where it is law or expected, how can you be prepared for that?  What if you don’t want to lane split - it’s too scary or intimidating - how do you handle that? Do you avoid it? Just not do it?   Essential Repair Skills & Tools? How to Deal With Breakdowns?  How prepared do you really need to be? What are the do it yourself repairs you should learn before you go? Tire changing, chain adjustment, oil change? Can help usually be found easily?   Wildlife Encounters Dangers and not-so dangers? Should you be concerned?  How do you handle wildlife? Different countries - different animals… Preparing? Knowledge you need?  Is it a good idea to carry sprays, other wildlife defences? What sort of defence tools do you take with you? What sort of things can you do to deter animal encounters?   Show Co-Hosts Picks & Plugs Grant Johnson - www.horizunsunlimited.com PICK: Alpify - www.alpify.com PLUG : Horizons Unlimited Events are THE place for adventure riders everywhere to meet up and share experiences and new places to go! There's one on every continent (except Antarctica this year) so there's one near you - in a long distance traveller sort of way :). Check out what's happening at: http://www.HorizonsUnlimited.com/events   Sam Manicom - www.sam-manicom.com PICK: Gator Grip  - Wonderful bit of kit for overlanding. Cut’s down on the number of spanners and sockets you’d need to carry – rounded off nuts and bolts do happen on the long road so great for this too! Fit’s nuts and bolts  ¼ to ¾. And 7 to 19mm. 3/8 Socket drive Amazon - Gator Grip PLUG: Got a busy time coming up in the USA. 7 weeks in May and June riding Arizona and S California on an Al Jesse BMW F800GS.  Overland Expo West in Flagstaff Arizona – May 20th to 22nd – Presentations on Vietnam and Norway, classes on Sponsorship, Travel on the Cheap, getting your book published and a series of round table sessions. http://www.overlandexpo.com/west/ The BMW 49er Rally in Mariposa California – May 26th to 29th – Presentation https://bmwnorcal.wildapricot.org/49er San Diego BMW – June 9th – Presentation http://www.sdbmwmc.com/ BMW Motorcycles of Santa Clarita - June 11th Times to be confirmed http://www.bmwmotorcyclesofsantaclarita.com/ Riverside BMW during June too. – Presentation – Days and times to be confirmed.   Shirley Hardy-Rix, Brian Rix - www.aussiesoverland.com.au PICK: Andy Strapz - www.andystrapz.com PLUG: New book coming out soon! "T