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Damn chip seal!
Last Post 10/31/2014 10:39 PM by Frederick Jones. 5 Replies.
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C2K_Rider

Posts:173

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10/28/2014 04:49 PM
They're going nuts with the stuff this year.. Several great descent ruined. 35 years of riding these roads and I really can't see any benefit to doing this. No improvement in the road whatsoever, and generally degraded for months after the job. Why do they have such an obsession with this stuff?
Gonzo Cyclist

Posts:568

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10/28/2014 05:18 PM
It's cheap, that's why. They do it all over around here in NM, but we have never been known for having good roads anyway, some of the worst in the country I'm sure. They did this with the road to the ski area here in Santa Fe last year, this is a very popular climb for the tourists in training, local racers, etc. It was a nightmare!!! I have a 35 mile cross ride that ties into this road, it was scary as hell on a cross bike with knobby tires, I can't imagine what it was like on a road bike.
the D.O.T. here is lucky that no one was hurt!!
longslowdistance

Posts:2886

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10/28/2014 06:30 PM
FWIW, consider joining with your local auto club or AAA up in arms. The stones trash car paint and windshields, and it's easy to get a large coalition to lobby against it. We see a lot less of it here in VA now.
zootracer

Posts:835

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10/29/2014 11:11 AM
They use the stuff here also. Mostly used for secondary-less traveled roads. They chip sealed one road which is a descent for me back in July. I have only ridden it once since. They need to come back and clean up all the loose gravel with a road sweeper and they never do. Never a warning when they are going to chip seal a road either. Screws up a ride route for sure. They use chip seal as it cost the fraction of an asphalt job. Worse problem is if the don't patch up the pot holes first.
roadbuzz

Posts:24

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10/31/2014 08:32 PM
Once upon a time I worked (briefly) for a state highway dept. Chip seal is a cheap way to extend the life of the asphalt. From that standpoint, it's good bang for the buck. Comparatively, re-surfacing is way more expensive and labor intensive. Add to that road maintenance budgets are in the basement. Given all that, I don't think tires (car or bike) or road "feel" are a big part of the equation.

Just saying', it is what it is.
longslowdistance

Posts:2886

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10/31/2014 10:39 PM
A third way, which we see more of here, is some sort of quick curing slurry seal. It does leave a rougher surface than real pavement, but way better than chip seal, and no transition period with loose gravel.
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