By Bill Becher
Well,
I'd heard about "off-camber turns" and always
thought that was the left you made from Camber St. to Willow Ave.
I learned the hard way descending Decker/Westlake from Mulholland
that wet pavement and off-camber turns are dangerous. The lesson
cost some skin, a few stitches, and a broken helmet. Always
wear your helmet. Mine prevented more serious injury. [I
always drool like this, doctor...]
A normal road is banked in the direction
of the turn, but occasionally, because of unusual drainage or
other design problems, tight turns are banked the wrong way ("off-camber").
This is compounded in a left turn, as the natural crowned shape
of the road (to assist drainage) tilts the right side of the road
away from the turn. The bottom line is that it's much harder for
the tire to stay in contact with the road, and any loss of adhesion
means a skid. With nasty winter weather coming, be sure to slow
down in turns, especially the "off" kind!