Yes, I rode to work today.
And . . .
It rained.
I hate being the first in line at the intersections where the stoplights are connected sensors in the pavement. All I can do is sit there and wait to see if I tripped the sensor. If not, the light will cycle through and I'll have to move forward and motion to the driver behind me to move up, which is usually greeted with utter confusion. I happen to have breakfast at the same cafe as the chief traffic engineer does. He is a rider and is quick to reset any sensors I report having trouble with. The one at this intersection was readjusted sometime ago and I've not had any trouble, still . . . I am greatly relieved when the light changes. This morning all was well.
It wasn't raining for the ride home. The sun sets now before I leave the Courthouse. Add some cloud cover and I walk out into the night.
Billie, my Symba, has blown over twice in the parking area. The first time I wasn't sure if it was the wind or someone purposely tipped her over. When it happened a second time there was very little doubt.
My new strategy is to park her in this wee space. It seems well protected from the wind. Hopefully no more tip overs.
Tomorrow the forecasters are saying there is a 100% chance of rain. Sounds like they are pretty confident. Temperatures are suppose to plummet from a high of 60F/15C at 0900CST to 45F/7C by the time I ride home. You gotta love Autumn.
- 53F/12C with a nice light steady rain for the ride in.
- 60F/15C and overcast for the home ride.
Nice glowy photos.
ReplyDeletePouring rain here, too.
Tis' the photos for night photos for sure.
DeleteI remember reading something about magnets that you could place on the undercarriage of the bike to trip a sensor. I've no idea if they actually work.
ReplyDeleteI heard mixed reviews. Here in Missouri if the lights cycle through or don't change you're allowed to go when the coast is clear. I've been know to make a right turn, turn around, come back and make the turn where I wanted to go straight. Yeah, I'm pretty rule bound.
DeleteAt least leaving work in the dark makes for some beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteFor red lights, I've heard people swear by the magnets Robert mentions and I've heard naysayers too. Good thing you dine with the engineer.
Yes, it is a good thing. And even better that he, too, is a rider. He knows how frustrating it can be to be waiting, waiting, waiting. . .
DeleteThere are some intersections here where the sensors fail to detect the bulk of a sidecar rig, so I feel your pain. I report, sometimes someone does something, more often than not, nothing. Sometimes, After two cycles of the lights, I just go when clear if the light doesn't turn.
ReplyDeleteMost of the intersections now have those round sensors instead of the old ones with the cut in the pavement. Once there set up they seem to be an improvement. I've learned to stop with my engine right over the disc. It has been a long time since I've had a problem in the City, but still I worry.
DeleteAs I said above, here in Missouri the going when it's clear after an appropriate long wait is allowed by law.
Up here, they seem to be replacing a lot of sensors with some sort of camera. The in-pavement sensors seem to be really problematic both ways. Not sensitive enough and too sensitive and triggering for no reason. The cameras seem to "see" the rig especially if I'm making a left turn and have the signal on while coming to a stop. If I do this, it will trigger pretty quickly.
ReplyDelete