There's a massive snowbank impeding my regular commute route...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
There's a massive snowbank impeding my regular commute route...
....so some friends and I decided to do something about it!
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
#2
always rides with luggage
I love it. We don't have anything that big here.
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#4
Senior Member
What if it collapses and someone is trapped inside? You should clear the path top to bottom and shore up the sides, not leaving a dangerous several foot thick roof and walls that could collapse at any time. I can see kids playing in there and getting killed or severely injured. This is the United States, and Massachusetts, nonetheless! What are you thinking? Anywhere else, this would be cool and awesome!
#5
always rides with luggage
What if it collapses and someone is trapped inside? You should clear the path top to bottom and shore up the sides, not leaving a dangerous several foot thick roof and walls that could collapse at any time. I can see kids playing in there and getting killed or severely injured. This is the United States, and Massachusetts, nonetheless! What are you thinking? Anywhere else, this would be cool and awesome!
__________________
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
--Ben
2006 Trek SU100, 2009 Motobecane Fantom CX, 2011 Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno, and a Bakfiets
Previously: 2000 Trek 4500 (2000-2003), 2003 Novara Randonee (2003-2006), 2003 Giant Rainier (2003-2008), 2005 Xootr Swift (2005-2007), 2007 Nashbar 1x9 (2007-2011), 2011 Windsor Shetland (2011-2014), 2008 Citizen Folder (2015)
Non-Bike hardware: MX Linux / BunsenLabs Linux / Raspbian / Mac OS 10.6 / Android 7
#6
Unracer Cyclist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Michigan USA
Posts: 266
Bikes: Huffy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
I would be perfectly ok with the MBTA knocking down the ceiling, as long as the path is left unimpeded. It would actually be quite difficult to do it manually, and we decided that the arch shape is probably more stable than sheer walls.
#9
Senior Member
Just get an engineer to certify it is safe.
#11
Senior Member
#12
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,192
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1376 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times
in
297 Posts
The people that hate bright lights would probably worry that the heat from the lights would melt the ceiling and cause a cave in too.
#13
contiuniously variable
Nice!
Structurally it looks fine, better to have the top held open vs risk the top 1/3 falling in.
- Andy
Structurally it looks fine, better to have the top held open vs risk the top 1/3 falling in.
- Andy
#14
Senior Member
One tap on the Airzound and the whole thing comes crashing down.
Proper signage is absolutely required at this point...no horns, use at your own risk, no stopping, no licking the walls, keep your head down, oncoming traffic ahead, one-way traffic only, must be over 18 to continue beyond this point, speed limit 25 mph.
Proper signage is absolutely required at this point...no horns, use at your own risk, no stopping, no licking the walls, keep your head down, oncoming traffic ahead, one-way traffic only, must be over 18 to continue beyond this point, speed limit 25 mph.
#15
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,488 Times
in
1,286 Posts
This is great !!
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
Haha, wow, this story is going viral!
FARK.com: (8606714) While most Bostonians have faced 4-hour MBTA commutes and struggled to dig out their cars, these guys and girl dug a 40 foot tunnel through a snowpile that was blocking their bike path
Where there's a will, there's a way | Universal Hub
How a Group of Local Shovelers Dug a 40 Foot Snow Tunnel on a Medford Bike Path | BDCwire
FARK.com: (8606714) While most Bostonians have faced 4-hour MBTA commutes and struggled to dig out their cars, these guys and girl dug a 40 foot tunnel through a snowpile that was blocking their bike path
Where there's a will, there's a way | Universal Hub
How a Group of Local Shovelers Dug a 40 Foot Snow Tunnel on a Medford Bike Path | BDCwire
#17
Senior Member
That's awesome! How many man-hours did it take to complete? I must agree about the safety issue, however. While a collapse may be unlikely, it is a risk that should not be taken. Finish the job.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
#18
contiuniously variable
This is the can-do attitude we used to have here....... if there's a problem, fix it vs whine.
- Andy
- Andy
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
It was knocked down sometime today, but apparently they missed the point and left a couple big snow boulders blocking the narrowest section of the path :facepalm:
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,968
Bikes: '09 Trek 2.1 * '75 Sekine * 2010 Raleigh Talus 8.0 * '90 Giant Mtb * Raleigh M20 * Fuji Nevada mtb
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"The Boston Tunnel Engineering Crew"
Winning.
Winning.
....so some friends and I decided to do something about it!
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
This is in the corner of the parking lot at the Wellington station on the T's Orange Line, just outside Boston. The snowbank blocks access to that end of the Wellington Greenway bike path, which has been otherwise somewhat maintained.
__________________
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
FB4K - Every October we wrench on donated bikes. Every December, a few thousand kids get bikes for Christmas. For many, it is their first bike, ever. Every bike, new and used, was donated, built, cleaned and repaired. Check us out on FaceBook: FB4K.
Disclaimer: 99% of what I know about cycling I learned on BF. That would make, ummm, 1% experience. And a lot of posts.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18376 Post(s)
Liked 4,511 Times
in
3,353 Posts
I think it looks cute.
I know in the mountains that people dig snow caves and crawl inside as part of storm survival. It is probably stronger than it looks as long as nobody is tobogganing over the top of it.
I'd just be careful as things start to melt in July or August.
It is disappointing that it was knocked down (by the city or punks?).
I know in the mountains that people dig snow caves and crawl inside as part of storm survival. It is probably stronger than it looks as long as nobody is tobogganing over the top of it.
I'd just be careful as things start to melt in July or August.
It is disappointing that it was knocked down (by the city or punks?).
#23
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, ANT 3-speed roadster, New Albion Privateer singlespeed, Raleigh One Way singlespeed, Raleigh Professional "retro roadie" rebuild, 198? Fuji(?) franken-5-speed, 1937 Raleigh Tourist, 1952 Raleigh Sports, 1966 Raleigh Sports step-through
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 248 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times
in
18 Posts
It's pretty cleanly removed, definitely a pro plow job, other than the part where they re-blocked the path...
#25
Not quite there yet
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Monkey Bottom, NC
Posts: 999
Bikes: A bunch of old steel bikes + an ICE trike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
What if it collapses and someone is trapped inside? You should clear the path top to bottom and shore up the sides, not leaving a dangerous several foot thick roof and walls that could collapse at any time. I can see kids playing in there and getting killed or severely injured. This is the United States, and Massachusetts, nonetheless! What are you thinking? Anywhere else, this would be cool and awesome!
I concur. Good idea but, should have engineered it to prevent a collapse that could engulf unwary users. Folks get killed in these home-brew "projects".