The rain has finally managed what the city refuses to contemplate, and cleared the hard packed snow on the route over the fields to the next town. The majority of the route (where cars are allowed to go) was fine but the middle was impassable, or at the very least unpredictable. I know this because I’ve been going out to check the route whenever I had time and daylight with all the seriousness of some native hunter tracking prey.
By cycling I save about ten minutes each way, and avoid the slow tedium of driving on a bus that winds its way around the town for several kilometres before returning to the same place it was five minutes earlier.
I can’t help wondering how drivers would cope with these conditions. If, whenever it snowed, drivers had to go out and check if their route would be clear the next day, would winter driving would be as unpopular as winter cycling locally?
Or maybe there would be a surge in SUV sales because people ‘felt safer’ driving in the snow in a bigger car, and then we’d have te same situation as now, on a larger scale.
3 comments
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January 30, 2013 at 11:20 pm
teigl
That’s an interesting observation that you make about having to check your route before venturing forth. At least when you do go out, you are doing something healthy and that will make you feel good in so many ways.
Incidentally, in my other life as a driver of large vehicles, I am amazed at how many ditched 4×4′s are to be seen at the side of the motorway in snowy weather. They are by far the most common casualties that I see, because their drivers feel they are invincible. Oh, except that they are not…
January 31, 2013 at 11:07 am
Phil
When I am King, every 4X4 owner will have to complete a proper off-road course in public to be allowed to own the car. I envisage the day starting with old boys in Series 1 Landrovers completing it like they do it every day. Then the first Chelsea Tractor gets stuck before leaving the car park…
January 31, 2013 at 8:45 pm
Andy in Germany
Iain: I’m not suprised: Manufacturers know the majority of 4×4′s are built for rich people to show off while dropping the kids off at school, so genuine off road capability isn’t needed, or even desired.
Phil: Excellent idea. I’d add a two day course on cycling as well. Actually, I think we should make that compulsory for all new drivers.
You’ve got my vote as King. (That’s how it works right? modern countries don’t still think people have the right to rule because they’re descended from a medieval thug, do they?)