Motorcycle Street Races in the Rome
“How fast was that dude on that motorcycle going?” That’s a question that happens often in Rome - where motorcycles are widespread and people generally drive like they have the the grim reaper trying to get them on his white horse… but what about bike racing in Rome?
Rome’s “grande raccordo anulare” is a circular freeway that encompasses the whole of Rome. Some Bikers use that to get their tires warm enough for the races they later on do in the streets. Keep in mind, some of these bikes can hit 300 kilometers per hour - most can hit 260… and a good number does 0 to 100 KMH in 4 seconds or less…
Nuts… right… but still they don’t do their races in the busy roman alleys (they would splatter against a wall at the first turn on the ancient and slippery cobblestones) but on the major roads that are considered Rome’s arteries. Still nuts…
Many bikers say that they do these races at night, when there are less cars around and the cops cant cover all areas.
One also says that “they risk their own lives, not the lives of others.”
Ok…so if a bike hits the side of my car at 250 kilometers per hour, what’s my chance of survival? If it’s anything under 100% I really don’t agree with that biker.
Personally I understand/prefer those who, when in Rome race at the Vallelunga track.
Do you bike? What do you have and what do you prefer?
I’m not a big fan of what below (viewer discretion is advised)…
I’m honestly not for speed, and enjoy a slow ride full of curves in the mountains… I much prefer this below…
Call me boring…
Find the original article (in Italian) here.
I’m a biker in Rome, and I know very well what are you talking about.
Sometimes (as in every time I’m on the road) I have this worrying feeling that every one is out to get me.
My bike is not fast - I’ve got an old KLE 500 - but its agile. Being able to dodge that guy that is overtaking you on the right at 200km/hrs gets you back home alive. Oh, the adrenaline rushes I experience every time I drive around. And to think that there is people who pays for bungee jumping or other extreme sports!
Let me quote from Lonely Planet guides to Rome and Naples:
Driving in Rome is the next best thing to suicide - especially on a motorbike
And
Forget driving in town [Naples] unless you have a death wish.
But let me reassure your readers: don’t be afraid to come and visit us in Italy. We are mostly friendly and try to keep tourists’ deaths at an absolute minimum ^_^
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LoL @ Ancos!
Anyway I’m biker too (I have a Yamaha TDM 850) and very often I’m scare by other bikers or scuter drivers who are running like there is no tomorrow (and for some of them, there is no actual tomorrow) in the traffic… I usually do 50Km every day going and coming back from work, and I’m bothered enough by this crazy drivers…
1 month ago I was coming back home running on “via Cristoforo Colombo” (it is a sort of freeway that connect Rome to the sea), since it was night and there was nobody on the street, I was running fast enough (around 120 km/h although the speed limit was 80km/h… but hey, I’m italian after all and there was nobody in front of me). Suddenly I was almost blind because in the mirror I was lights coming lighting to my back: I wasn’t able to change my direction and in a fraction of a second I was shake by air and two motorcycles passed by.
I was shocked ’cause they were running double my speed… and without no regards for who was in front of them….
may god have mercy of their stupid life, ’cause I have the feeling they will be short.
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Yes - these people that run at 250 in the city are Morons.
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Doesnt make a lot of sense… but this came to my mind…
Dr Ray Stantz: Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shut off by dickless here.
Walter Peck: They caused an explosion!
Mayor: Is this true?
Dr. Peter Venkman: Yes it’s true.
[pause]
Dr. Peter Venkman: This man has no dick.
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