Busted on the Taconic - Jail Time

[718Rider]

I took off the day on Friday to ride up to Vermont for a church retreat. I decided to go the 'scenic' route, and took Taconic Pkwy upstate. I was rolling along around 100-110 when I got pulled by a State Trooper in a Camero. I was about 10 miles from the end of the parkway. He clocked me @ 97 MPH in a 55 - 42 over. Ouch. Clear day, no glare, no traffic.

After keeping me waiting for 30 min., a tow truck showed. Not a good sign. The trooper told me we were going to see the judge. Apparently in NY - 40 over = see the judge. Ouch again. The judge wasn't real happy to see me. $1000 bail. Cash.

Asked the trooper to use the ATM - no way. Thanks.

Soooo, I got to spend a couple of hours in the Columbia county jail until some of my friends headed to VT were able to swing by and bail me out of the 'ol slammer. They had a full car, so I couldn't ride with them and ended up sleeping in the woods next to the towing yard where my bike was impounded. Friday night.

The tow shop was closed till Monday, so I spent the evening reading the bible under the moonlight. Next morning I'm up wondering what on earth I'm going to do. I have some quiet time and am feeling peaceful that this is all going to work out somehow. Mircaculously, someone shows up at the shop. Guy needed to finish a timing belt job he didn't finsih on Friday night and lets me pay for and retrive the bike. Thank you!!

Fast fwd to Sunday and I'm strapping a bag to the back of the bike and the bungee comes loose and tags me under the eye. Fortunately I'm camping with a friend who's a doc and he stiches me up. Think its time to stay off the old bike for a while. What do you think?

[ErricZ]

That's why you should use tie-down straps and not bungee cords.

Glad you're ok, sorry to hear about your pocketbook.

[Firebolter]

Man bad weekend. well, you are alive, you can get more money and luckily, you didn't damage your sight. Guess we should all strive to keep it under 80 no matter how good it feels. Appreciate your honesty and not making excuses up.

So the tow truck didn't damage your bike? Thats good. See how anal I am, that would have been my biggest fear if that happened to me.

[dsl]

Tom,
That's brutal! Sounds like you probably should have joined us for B'fast at Coldspring afterall. How'd the cop catch you, if you don't mind... radar, laser, or pacing from the rear?

Joe,
You read'n this? 40 over and jail time ? You better knock 5mph off your rides... detector or not - I do not want to go to JAIL!


Glad to hear it was nothing really serious, though.

[718Rider]

Thanks for the replies. He got me on Radar.

[Rattus]

We really need to develop an S with stealth capability.

[pebowles]

sorry about the bust, but that is a wee bit brisk for the ol' Taconic, what with 90 degree "onramps" lots of whoop-de-doos, deer & God knows what else. Of course the posted limit is designed to generate tickets, but maybe 85-90 gives you a fun ride and keeps you intact. We need U here reading that Bible, not up there looking down on us sinners...

[HELYUN]

I did the same thing with a bungee cord..got the metal hook right under my eye.........another 1/2" I could of lost it....... sure spoils yur day......
Yikes!! Jail time for speeding.....Sorry man. It could of been us sunday!
Hey Joe, I guess there was something to the cager who pulled us over and flashed his badge after we passed him sunday I remember him saying "you could go to jail for that" (90-100 mph pass). You did some fast talking with your helmet on. "What did you say"? "Excuse me". "I can't hear you"........
I vote for stealth or shall I keep a hack saw blade in the tank bag?? Slowing down on my S is tuff to do!

[Joe]

Tom

Sorry about your bad trip, I could have been in the cell next to you if he was on duty (still don't think he was a real cop). I led a pack of 14 bikes (no Harleys or Jap bikes but real pretty Euro stuff) at a good pace along the Hudson. I think someone passing spooked him (cop) cutting it close on one of the corners he almost lost control of his Suburban and who does he blame me........ He was so frustrated he didn't know who to blame, they all look alike to him. I apologized for everyone and he left pounding the dash. .........pssssttt Bob bring two hacksaw blades next time in case....

Ps…We had a Jap bike there it was a Yam RD 400 frame with a Kaw H2 triple 750 in it ...sic!

[Joe]

[Raven]

Talk about harsh!!

It dosn't cost nearly that much here in California!!

Have you guys considered moving?

pdonnel and I got up over 100 MPH often with no threat of getting busted!!

Better luck next time!!

[motoman]

Originally posted by Joe

pssssttt Bob bring two hacksaw blades next time in case....

Actually your Lawyer's business card might be more useful... or $1,000 bucks... bastids... Isn't that unlawful confinement?

[buckeyeRS]

Sorry to hear about the bust. It seems that the police have a habit of showing up in the right places at the wrong time. I've had a few near misses lately where I've slowed down because I could not see far enough to spot a radar trap and sure enough there sits the cruiser. Clean living I guess...
718, you were carring a bible? I suggest you keep your license in it

[MoDog]

No kidding, it's way harsh out there in the civilized east...here in Wyoming, my 109 "only" cost me $235, and I got to mail it in, but 110 and over is a "must appear" so the judge can give you the old safety lecture.

Hey, what brand and height windscreen is that on the yellow "S" in the picture?

[Joe]

Originally posted by MoDog

Hey, what brand and height windscreen is that on the yellow "S" in the picture?

It's a 2' over Gustafason http://www.bikescreen.com/index.htm

[Nitro]

Gee dude it sounds soooo familar! Read my post "I got arrested and thrown in jail!"

It's fuked up man. There is something fundamentaly wrong in this country, i.e. ignorance.

Take care!

[philth]

Sorry to hear about this heinous miscarriage of justice.

You know, not that we need more people here but you really should consider moving to CA. I recently covered 670 miles in one day...mostly on backroads, nearly all over 100 and occaisionally going as fast as the ole S would go out in the desert. Didn't see 1 cop the entire way.

Recently got radared at 105mph by a chp. Cost me $78 after he wrote me for 80mph and we had a nice chat about my bike.

From what I can tell, the cops in other states are WAY more uptight than I've experienced living my entire life out here.

I'd say get a detector but I bet that they're illegal there. Not here. Oh yah, lane sharing's legal as well.

Did I metion the weather?

Sorry, just trying to make myself feel better about that herendous mortgage and stratospheric state income, property and sales taxes.

better luck to you brother.

[Dave Hopkins]

That would put the "Fun Meter" rating at about a 1 (on the olympic scale.

[whitedog]

philth -

you need to mention the weather again in January.

[Rattus]

Maybe there's a loophole - become a celebrity and get off by going to the Betty Ford Clinic for the chronically fast.