I'm sure the specific laws vary among the states, I was stating the law as it is in NY. However from a common sense and enforceability aspect, the law has to be based on when you enter not when you finish since the first is a known discrete point in time, whereas the second would be based on an estimate made at decision time -- "Gee your honor, I was sure I had the time to get across".

In any case, there's a pecking order when there's conflict between laws. In most states the "first in the intersection rule" is trumps. This makes sense because it protects slow moving vehicles and pedestrians. Without 1st in the intersection rule an old lady with a walker would be vulnerable to cars starting to move while she was only halfway across the street.

Regardless of lights, stop signs or any traffic controls, no car has a right to enter an intersection until it's clear.

Sky cleared up a bit, but still too hot and humid to enjoy the commute. I did finally get around to picking up my new front wheel which has been ready for almost six weeks, and the difference is quite evident with a good quality Shimano Deore hub, DT2.0 spokes and a Mavic A319 rim... now all I need are new tires!

Yellow is not the same as a green. From PennDOT's driver manual:
"A STEADY YELLOW LIGHT tells you a steady red light will soon appear. If you are driving toward an
intersection and a yellow light appears, slow down and prepare to stop. If you are within the
intersection or cannot stop safely before entering the intersection, continue through carefully."

From NYS DMV driver manual:
"STEADY YELLOW: The light is changing from green to red. Be ready to stop for the red light."

Both states (and I assume most others) state that you should prepare to stop.

In the case above, the cyclist was already in the intersection, so this discussion is moot.

Yup, not riding like that anymore! (not that I was doing it on purpose today anyway :p)

With more hindsight, I was fixated on the cars that were turning right in front of me. When one finally stopped, I was still fixated on the car and assumed it was stopping for me, but it might have been stopping for the yellow light! Lesson learned I guess.

Overcast this morning though air wasn't that cold (in the 50s). Everything was still a bit wet from the last of the rain overnight. Took it a bit slower then normal today, partially intentionally as my tires don't seem that grippy when wet and there were a lot of we leaves, etc in places, but I also just felt a bit slower then normal today. Might be lack of sleep, etc. who knows. My bike and my gear got quite dirty today...makes me want fenders. Guess I should plan on cleaning my bike off tonight.

A few sprinkles turned into a steady rain for the last 20 minutes of my commute. But the winds were cooperative and I made it in just 65 minutes moving time for a 14.3 mph average, one of my fastest rides ever!

It was in the low 60's and I started with just my short sleeve jersey and windbreaker shell. But I was getting much too sweaty so I stopped and stowed the jacket inside itself in the little pocket and then stuffed it inside my jersey pocket.

Also had a guy in a pickup stop and pull in the parking lot where I was stowing my jacket, thinking I was his brother in law, because he said he bikes on the same road and "has the flashlight" (referring to my Cygolite front light). Just seemed weird haha.

Although these are post-commute pics (early morning coffee run), I wanted to share them so you can get on idea on where I commute.

BTW, these pic were taken about 45 minutes after a thunderstorm (seen in the distance).
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/1...0c9da7cb_b.jpg


Notice one of the few morning commuters of the season?
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5528/1...8646b90e_b.jpg

It warmed up to -13C today and we are expected to get another 4 inches of snow before tomorrow... rode down to the south side to teach a class before the snow started falling and this was great as I made really excellent time.

The ride home was a more of a slog as a few inches of snow had fallen and cars were churning things up on the roads.

A little warmer here this morning.
Clear skies and supposed to be about 60 for my ride home.

Next week is going to be pretty chilly, so I'll take this last bit of nice weather.

Very pleasant ride in this morning, 47F/8C, no wind, moist air but no rain.

nice.

good here ... 6C/42F and slightly damn ... seems like English autumn is upon us :D

This is my first week since last winter where I didn't ride in. Between different work commitments, an evening out, and the weather, it just didn't work out. At least I've had a few good sessions on my trainer.

And next week is a short one. I probably won't be riding in next week either, but I'll have the long weekend to get some good climbs in.

Edit: I just remembered that I DID ride home on a Citibike on Monday, so I wasn't entirely without a commute.

Oh great, are we starting the Telly beauty pics again while we languish in nasty weather?! Never mind... I like them too!

Ride home yesterday was in a steady rain, ride in this morning was a warm 47F with fog and rain. I have great gear but tired of being wet. Have a great weekend all!

It's not all fun and games around here :(

...anyway, have a great weekend! :thumb:



This is what the roads look like after moderate rainfall:
http://www.itabloid.gr/wp-content/up...kakokairia.jpg

Nice ride home last night. The first really dark ride of the season and my headlight battery died about 1/2 mile from home. :( When those MagicShine lights start flashing red, you have about 5 minutes max.

A bit of a drizzle on the ride in this morning, but otherwise nice. Temps much warmer - around 52F. Battery is charging :)

Nice, uneventful commute this morning. Yesterday afternoon, not so much. In two separate incidents, drivers talking on cell phones almost hit me. I don't understand why certain drivers feel the compulsion to yak on their phones while driving in rush-hour traffic. In the first instance, a pickup truck drifted into my lane, so I moved over and he did it again. It was soon before a corner with a right turn only lane. After turning the corner, I sped up beside him to chew him out, and he almost moved into me again -- all the while yakking on his phone. In the second instance, I was riding through a parking lot with the right of way. Driver approached from the side, with a stop sign, appeared to glance in my direction but pulled out in front of me -- also while talking on her phone. Cell phones have to be one of the leading causes of traffic accidents these days.

@tarwheel - I find a good slap on the side of the car wakes them up.

+1, in tight traffic, sometimes a good rap on the side of the car is the best way to get driver's mind focused on their driving.

That only works if the driver isn't a moron... last time I did that (less slap, more gentle tap), the incident almost escalated to a brawl because the chimpanzee behind the wheel was worried that I might have scratched his paint with my course palm.

I've had good luck with morons and chimpanzees behind the wheel over the years. I've only had two incidents that reached the point where the driver insisted on calling the police. The first was when I was doored, and caught it just right breaking the door hinge, and the second when I was right hooked and my handlebar left a long gauge down the side of the car.

In both instances the officer listened to both our stories which pretty well matched (one officer even commented on how rare and refreshing that was), asked if I was OK, took down an incident report, and promptly issued the driver a citation.

1st ride in two weeks
 

i rode today. earlier than usual and it was a pleasent ride. There was a lot less traffic.


we have the same forecast again. crazy. I am probably not going to get to my goal for the month. 220 miles a month on the bike but i have been running a lot more and feel pretty strong running.

Telly that looks simply crazy to ride in. Please tell me you were parked somewhere high and dry to wait that out. WOW

I'm planning on upping my weight training in december/january/february. I'm going to keep commuting but I know my mileage is going to drop a bit. I've got a 5k on Thanksgiving morning so that should be an interesting change of pace, cause I don't run.

+1 on the earlier commutes. I leave work early a few days per week, and the traffic is so much better.

That specific picture wasn't taken by me, but it's the closest approximation to what really happens, and in these conditions the grey stuff between my ears kicks in and I (try) using alternative means of transportation. Unfortunately the weather changes so rapidly that I'm sometimes caught in the above conditions and have to soldier on regardless of how soaked I am, and what damages my commuter might sustain (usually potholes which can't be seen under all that water).

Here's a pic I took a earlier in the year after a 20 minute storm:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/1...ee20b6af_b.jpg

25 F with an inch of fresh snow. Took a little longer than ususal but worth it.

Rode in under constant rain yesterday morning (61 Deg.F), rode home in the dry but with dark clouds above (68 deg.F). This morning its all dry and the storm has passed. Should be sunshine on the ride home this evening!

Rick / OCRR