Tuesday 26 April 2011

Be careful what you wish for

This area is generally a high user of road salt during the winter months, but around the lake the local authorities have decided to use sand only to reduce the amount of salt running into the lake every spring. The difference in winter driving conditions is negligible and it’s healthier for the environment as well, so what’s not to like?
Well, the sand.
When the last of the ice and snow finally disappears, our roadways are covered in sand. Bad enough on 4 wheels, it can be disastrous to hit loose sand mid-curve while on 2 wheels. Being a poor township there are no sweepers to clean the roads, so we have to rely on a few heavy spring rainstorms to wash the sand off and make the roads once again safe for riding.
joe btfsplkSo it was about a month ago when I foolishly commented that what we needed was some rain for that exact purpose. Now I don’t personally believe in a higher being, but someone or something “up there” decided, “You want rain? I’ll give you rain.”
And so it started raining at the end of March… and it’s still raining. By tomorrow we will have surpassed the all time record for rain in April – with more rain forecast right through to the first week of May.
Okay. I get it . You made your point. I’m waterlogged. The golf course is waterlogged. The toys want to come out and play. So stop the #*@*^# rain already!

6 comments:

  1. Oh my, that sounds like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Riding on sand and gravel... not funny. I remember those times from Alberta too well.
    At least I hope the rain will help washing away the dirt on the road.

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  2. You guys have been getting a lot of rain. Hoping it clears up for you soon.

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  3. We've had a bit of the serious business around here, too. Looks like the whole country is getting it about now. It's totally nuts.

    And in West Virginia I was scared witless rounding a corner into gravel. I hate anything loose.

    Brady
    Behind Bars - Motorcycles and Life
    http://www.behindbarsmotorcycle.com

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  4. I'm fine on straight sand or gravel roads, it's the loose sand on top of asphalt that scares the crap out of me. It's like riding on an ice rink, without studded tires. Definitely scary stuff.

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  5. While you are getting what you wished for, don’t stop there. Wish for a lottery win, a new bike, fine wine, glorious riding days......

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  6. Gary - been trying that, but the gods are apparently quite selective. Now if we only had leprechauns over here.....

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