View Full Version : Dances with Plows?
pinerider
01-28-04, 06:38 AM
On my commute home last evening, I checked my mirror, saw a big truck coming behind with a blue light, thought it was a plow, was only a sander, . The driver was very reluctant to pass me, and followed me for a bit until I changed lanes to turn.
It got me thinking - What do you do when a snow plow is coming behind you??
I think I would have to pull over to the side, get off the bike and wait till it's gone by.
I saw a video clip on the Buffalo news this morning of some poor guy standing by the side of a road somewhere (it wasn't in Buffalo) that got knocked down when the first plow came by, then covered up by the second one. On my ride home last night, I was about 30 seconds away from going under a highway overpass that was being plowed. They dumped a large pile of snow on the road beneath that would have landed on my head if I'd been a little faster.
Anybody have any trouble with plows???
I saw a video clip on the Buffalo news this morning of some poor guy standing by the side of a road somewhere (it wasn't in Buffalo) that got knocked down when the first plow came by, then covered up by the second one.
Here it is with slideshow!
Slideshow Link in Article (http://www.nbc30.com/news/2798762/detail.html)
Gojohnnygo.
01-28-04, 01:19 PM
I live less then a mile from the town highway department and I see these guys and gals all the time at the coffee shop, the small country store and on the road. I always give them a friendly wave. (summer or winter) Most of them know me by name and have seen me for years out in all kinds of weather.
I see that you live in a much heavier populated area than I do(My county population is just over 80,000). I would keep your eyes and ears open to anything that is approaching and get the hell out of their way. They have a lot more things to look out for then an average motorist does. The size of the plow,The wing on the plow, looking for icy spots where they have to spread salt, listening to their dispatcher on the radio, trying to see threw all the snow they throw up and they are working overtime on very little sleep.
It's a very dicey spot to be in do like I do and get out of the way!
Better safe then sorry.
Stay safe and warm.
Gojohnnygo.
01-28-04, 01:36 PM
One more thing stay out of the way of that sander! That stuff HURTS when it hits you.
A couple of years ago I learned my lesson. I was just got to the highway and was going to cross but had to stop and wait because there was a plow coming. I didn't stop far enough back and got hit with the snow. Luckily I was wearing safety glasses and a face mask but it still hurt. Next time I stay farther back.
I was "followed" the other day. It was a bit unnerving: the sound of the plow creeping up behind me, scrapping the road. He didn't see to mind, and I was doing a good clip, so I just kept going. It was almost as if he enjoyed going slower. Like where the heck is he going? Snow's still needs plowing. But that was a city street. Had it been a high way, yeah, I'd of baled and let him pass.
I would make sure I got some serious lights mounted in the back aimed high where the driver can see you and take the lane so you're not hiding along the snow drifts on the side of the road.
Scariest ride I ever had was when I was going down the street skidding along in the snow with a plow behind me and I realized my lights were aimed straight back, too low for him to see and i was wearing a gray jacket with a hood on that through a foggy windshield, I probably looked like another pile of snow to him.
iceratt
02-01-04, 06:07 PM
You guys have scared me! I am riding home tonight at midnight. It's been snowing all day. I worry that I'll slip and go down on a thick patch of glop, and that some vehicle will run into me.
On nights like this, I look for the roads most recently plowed. I'd pull over for a plow with great pleasure so that I could ride in it's wake, and not have to ride through the ruts, haystacks, and beds of snow.
Good luck Ice. I had to get out and shovel at the halfway house I work at, there haven't been any plows that I've seen so far on Nicolette or 1st Ave. The city's trying to cut back on expenses, so good luck finding a plowed road. You'll have to share, like I did on the ride over. FIGHT FOR YOUR LANE!!!!!
iceratt
02-02-04, 04:13 AM
Thanks for the encouragement naisme. It turned out to be a breeze. I took a chance with a route that I rarely use that is 1/2 bike path and the rest snow emergency route. The bike path to Lake Calhoun was cleared at some time during the evening. The 3 inches of snow on it had few rutts and was a pleasure to cruise over. Going around the lake, I rode in the middle of the street and had to get out of the way of a car only one time. I only saw one more car over the next two miles. road snow depth was 0 to 2 inches. I never even came close to falling! I went slowly, but had a really nice ride. Now I'm up waiting for my youngest son's birthday blueberry muffins to finish baking. I'm going to be so tired when I have to get up in a few hours!
Tired I know.
I shoveled 2 times last night, and then this morning, then climbed on the bike and navigated Franklin Ave to St. Paul.
Hey Lord Stanley's cup is going to be on the mall Tuesday 11a-1:30p. I am there!
iceratt
02-04-04, 03:58 AM
Tired I know.
I shoveled 2 times last night, and then this morning, then climbed on the bike and navigated Franklin Ave to St. Paul.
Hey Lord Stanley's cup is going to be on the mall Tuesday 11a-1:30p. I am there!
I don't know what Lord Stanley's cup is, sounds a little like a holy grail. I would have gone and had a quaff from it with you, if I had read your post sooner!
Maybe someday, us foolish winter riders in Mpls/StP, should get together for hot cocoa, though.
mtessmer
02-04-04, 09:46 AM
I don't know what Lord Stanley's cup is, sounds a little like a holy grail. I would have gone and had a quaff from it with you, if I had read your post sooner!
Maybe someday, us foolish winter riders in Mpls/StP, should get together for hot cocoa, though.
Sounds like a good plan.
When and where? I know some Java joints, but they're rather smoky this time of year. There's a nice one in Saint Paul, where I buy my beans freash roasted, J&S, on Randolph, just up from Snelling. He also has real Jamacian Blue Mountain, not the blend, that stuff it like FAB, and so smooth, OMG, gotta get some.
Otherwise in Mill City there's Caffetto, Bob's Java joint. We could always do something "Green" and hit Ecopolatian, the Veg place, where nothing is served hot, cause it breaks down the chemicals. It's good, over priced vegitarian fare. Muddy Waters is another interesting hovel. There's always Dunn Brother's. Oh, there's a smoke free joint down off Lyndale, on 42nd, Cafe Tiempo, I don't remember the name but I lived in the neighborhood, in the summer their iced coffee smoothies were the bomb.
Another thought is a rocking time at Little Tijuana's on 26th and Nicollette. Smoky draw on the table cloths. And if all else fails, we could do pizza at Pizza Luce, Sushi at Sushi Tango, or brunch at Filigios.
Sorry for to the out of towners, when we find a place, time and date, you all are welcome to fly in and join us, we'll have to have a bike ride in conjunction, like around Lake of the Isles, just for show.
iceratt
02-06-04, 01:45 AM
When and where? I know some Java joints, but they're rather smoky this time of year. There's a nice one in Saint Paul, where I buy my beans freash roasted, J&S, on Randolph, just up from Snelling. He also has real Jamacian Blue Mountain, not the blend, that stuff it like FAB, and so smooth, OMG, gotta get some.
Otherwise in Mill City there's Caffetto, Bob's Java joint. We could always do something "Green" and hit Ecopolatian, the Veg place, where nothing is served hot, cause it breaks down the chemicals. It's good, over priced vegitarian fare. Muddy Waters is another interesting hovel. There's always Dunn Brother's. Oh, there's a smoke free joint down off Lyndale, on 42nd, Cafe Tiempo, I don't remember the name but I lived in the neighborhood, in the summer their iced coffee smoothies were the bomb. And if all else fails, we could do pizza at Pizza Luce, Sushi at Sushi Tango, or brunch at Filigios.
.
I like most of your ideas. Bob's is the wrong kind of "biker" place, and it is smoky, though. I'd love some real Blue Mountain! but J&S is really a hike for me. How about in the spring or summer? Luce is my favorite pizza, and is open until 2 or 3 on the weekends. You commute at night,and pass pretty close to there, right? I leave Abbott just after midnight and take the greenway to Bryant. Few others are likely to join us, however. Dunn Bros on Lake Street is popular with cyclists, and a person behind the counter once gave me a free coffee, when I asked about "the bicyclists' discount" on Earthday. Anyway, we might want to start a new thread, with a survey asking others when and where, if we intend to turn it into a party.
mtessmer
02-06-04, 09:19 AM
I like most of your ideas. Bob's is the wrong kind of "biker" place, and it is smoky, though. I'd love some real Blue Mountain! but J&S is really a hike for me. How about in the spring or summer? Luce is my favorite pizza, and is open until 2 or 3 on the weekends. You commute at night,and pass pretty close to there, right? I leave Abbott just after midnight and take the greenway to Bryant. Few others are likely to join us, however. Dunn Bros on Lake Street is popular with cyclists, and a person behind the counter once gave me a free coffee, when I asked about "the bicyclists' discount" on Earthday. Anyway, we might want to start a new thread, with a survey asking others when and where, if we intend to turn it into a party.
I like the spring or summer idea, Dunn's would work for me, but I'm open. I live in New Hope (northwest suburb) and my office is in North Mpls but I'm responsible for our South Mpls office too (Chicago and Lake). What ever you all decide. Hey, my daughter is a Surgical Tech over at Abbott!
Ooo, we could pull this off... I guess opening a thread under General Cycling would be the way to do this.
I meant to mention I did dance with a plow yesterday. I heard this ungodly sound coming donw the road at me, I looked over my sholder and this 4x4 was driving down the clear road with the plow down. I think his hydralics were shot. The plow was scraping bar pavement sending off sparks in all directions. I thought about calling it in, thought it was dangerous to him, and other drivers.
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