Additional to final week’s thrilling fender content material (is there another form?)…
…maybe I tempted the Rain Gods, for on Friday night it stared raining, and it didn’t cease till the wee hours of this morning. In fact, I solely care in regards to the climate insomuch because it impacts my very own biking, and as I wasn’t going to have the ability to journey through the weekend anyway owing to the 2 or three remaining familial tasks I haven’t but managed to shirk, I wasn’t bothered by the relentless precipitation. Certainly, if something I used to be joyful about all of the rain, because it meant I wouldn’t be lacking out–no offense meant to any of the riders who rode anyway and obtained a soaking, a few of whom I noticed and even met firsthand over the weekend. Sorry!
Nevertheless, I did have event to make use of The Automotive The Financial institution No Longer Owns As a result of I Completed Paying Them Again, and within the course of I acquired to expertise some dramatic roadway flash-flooding. Then on as we speak’s journey I surveyed the aftermath;
See how the mighty Noticed Mill River has burst its banks:
Its wealthy and fertile bottomland now inundated with a number of inches of water, a lot to the delight of all of the waterfowl I predicably did not {photograph}:
They are saying April showers deliver Might flowers, so presumably April realized it was working behind and figured it will dump all its rain on us earlier than the top of the month like a cop with a quota. Given this, it was not stunning that the bike path was flooded in spots…
…that’s, except you had been a member of the Smugerati, during which case it was a direct affront:
The tweet would hardly be noteworthy if it wasn’t for the imperious “submarine” bit, which immediately takes it into tantrum-at-the-Starbucks territory. I imply, I shouldn’t care, however I’ve invested an excessive amount of power into countering the pervasive notion that cyclists are “entitled,” just for Streetsblog to roll in and complain (to the improper company, thoughts you) that when it rains issues get moist and usually act like a dowager dressing down a recalcitrant doorman. It’s not the primary time, both; in truth, the concept cyclists ought to in some way be exempt from the inconveniences of puddling is a recurring theme with them:
I imply certain, it will be nice if the storm drains labored correctly, however within the meantime it’s not like folks on bikes are inconvenienced by standing water greater than anybody else. To not be “Simply go round it” man or something, but when there’s a giant puddle within the bike lane and also you’re not snug using by it, possibly…simply go round it? You don’t even have to enter the SCARY STREET, you possibly can simply get off the bike and stroll it on the sidewalk for 5 seconds. Your bike is probably not a submarine, however what aren’t your toes that’s stopping you from merely sashaying across the factor? And once more, this wasn’t common rain, this was some critical three-day-long contemplate-building-an-ark-type chubby rain:
Like, folks typically should abandon their vehicles in these situations:
I’d enterprise that within the context of water and infrastructure on this metropolis, no person has it higher than cyclists. A pedestrian would possibly discover it unimaginable to cross, a transit rider might get caught on the subway, and a driver might should consign a late-model Nissan Rogue to Davey Jones’s locker. However I’ve by no means heard of anybody having to shoulder their bike and swim to security…at the least not in New York, anyway:
So whether or not I’m going out on foot or in a automobile or on a motorbike and even staying inside I can count on that sure rain-related inconveniences might come up, which is why after I encounter stuff like this afterwards I don’t get my mink stole in a twist and tweet about how somebody ought to come clear this up for me proper now as a result of my bike’s not a buzz noticed:
I simply, you already know, get off and stroll round it. And sure, it’s possible you’ll be at liberty to depart your “What a woosie, that’s completely rideable!” remark under–or you possibly can at all times submit your suggestions on paper, that’s additionally acceptable:
Calls will probably be returned within the order they’re obtained.
