So it's finally happened: Mother Nature tried to assassinate my truck. The weapon: a patch of black ice on the interstate. The aftermath: my back end fishtails left and threatens to deposit me sideways into the middle of the road. I steer and overcorrect, bringing the back end back around and launching me at a 60 degree angle into the center divider of the interstate. Thankfully, the piled-up snow along the side of the road provided a little cushion and I didn't get hurt. However, I had to replace my driver's side front tire since the impact pushed the fender directly into the tire, which make lovely burning-rubber smells and screeches as I limped to the nearest tire shop.
$60 later, the tire is replaced and the fender is away from the tire. The turn signal on the driver's side is gone, all kinds of paint was scratched off and I'm pretty sure the alignment's borked. All that said, my car's still alive, and I would be wrong to assume that this is the last time Mother Nature tries for the kill this season.
The worst part of it is that I had to force myself out of bed to go to work which put me on the interstate in the first place. Perhaps I should listen to my instincts better next time...
black ice is the worst, i was in a freind's car when he skidded on a curve and into a wall. i was shook up for a few days afterwards.
glad to hear you weren't hurt and the damage to the car wasn't great. it's a shame we can't have tires with nails or something in them for extra grip.. as soon as it snows here, everything stops. oo; the weather is out to get us.
I think Winter sucks because I hate snow and ice and cold.
This is why I love my country. We get constant temperatures the whole year around, resulting in no winter. No winter means no such threats to our life.
During the monsoon season, it's not uncommon for us to see 27 deg C temperatures. During the dry season, temperatures float around 30 deg C. Hence, you can see why we have snow.
However, I do hope that you encounter no such incidents again, Castor. Weather can be an evil thing indeed.
I'm sorry, but anyone who knows the joys of snowboarding, hockey, beer, hottubbing and marijuana (in that order) will agree that winter is the best season this side of summer.
I'm sorry, but anyone who knows the joys of snowboarding, hockey, beer, hottubbing and marijuana (in that order) will agree that winter is the best season this side of summer.
Anyone who has broken their leg on ice will disagree with you. :3
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I'm sorry, but anyone who knows the joys of snowboarding, hockey, beer, hottubbing and marijuana (in that order) will agree that winter is the best season this side of summer.
LOL!
Those of us who can't find joy in those things will continue dreaming of summer. ^_~
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Those of us who can't find joy in those things will continue dreaming of summer. ^_~
Make you a deal. You can have my Summer, and I will GLADLY take your Winter. >>
Heat sucks. It has a lovely little habit of making my nose decided it wants to pour blood all over me. <<
Count me in as part of the winter haters. Snow is very beautiful to look at, but I just hate the cold.
~Neo
i hate being so hot its uncomfortable... winter 4eva homie.
After all, think of what those awful crooks could do!
I actually prefer spring or fall. That way it's not too hot or too cold.
And being too cold is the reason why I don't really like winter.
BTW, Ultra, funny pic. XD
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Make you a deal. You can have my Summer, and I will GLADLY take your Winter. >>
Consider it done.... but you have to take my winter first ^_~
Of course, since the bad ol' snow storm that I was worrying about turned out to be hours of rain (yay for temp rising at the last minute), you're doing a great job. ;D
Of course, since the bad ol' snow storm that I was worrying about turned out to be hours of rain (yay for temp rising at the last minute), you're doing a great job.
I don't know how anyone could possibly prefer rain to snow. I mean, sure, it's not pleasant when the stuff's coming down, but the fun you can have afterwards is well worth it. Plus it's funny to watch idiots in their SUVs who don't have all-season tires crash into each other like some glorious, perpetual game of bumper cars.
Equini(if that is the plural) are way better than summer and winter. Though I do prefer winter over summer.
The traffic effects are partly the reason I hate winter. I can deal with torrential rain (barring the odd skid on the M32 which I propose never to do again). I can deal with sunshine, natch. I can deal with fog. What I can't deal with are ice and snow. We get them so rarely, that we have little chance down south to learn how to deal with them.
Plus, I hate being cold. If it has to snow, cool, but it better do it over a period where I have no reason at all to leave the house till it's gone...
DW
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I don't know how anyone could possibly prefer rain to snow.
I don't like cold temperatures. I can't have fun when worrying about staying warm--and don't say "wear layers" because I have worn up to 7 layers with a few sweaters and still nearly froze my fingers/toes within 30 minutes of being outside. If it weren't for the fact that winter only lasts 3 months (and has its periods of relative warmth) and the few places that don't have "cold" issues have things I find worse, I'd relocate for solely that reason.
I don't like rain that much either only except when I'm sleeping. Somehow, the pitter-patter of raindrops landing on my window makes me feel comfortable when I'm in bed. That's when I appreciate rain the most.
~Neo
I'm with Cyc here.
Winter > Summer.
Give me ice and snow over blistering heat and mosquitoes any day.
And there's a simple cure for ice if you don't like it, it's a rather new invention so I guess most of you probably haven't heard of it yet. It's called salt, and it's really quite nifty.
Now if we could just find enough salt to cover every road we ever drive on...
Hah, Tibby has never seen a salt truck.
Let's all point and laugh.
Winter's okay for the most part (like when you're snowboarding), but during the bad storms they close the ski lodge. Even worse is when a nor'easter knocks out my power. No power = no heat = no fun.
It should be interesting to see a salt truck get down all the narrow residential streets in England. Or along the Clifton Suspension Bridge which a) is narrow and b) has a weight limit. Or indeed to have the trucks go out when the weather forecast says ice, rather than after the event, when we've already had 3 different motorway pile-ups on black ice.
Countries which have snow every winter are prepared. Snow tires, snow chains etc. are available and people know how to use them. In the UK, comparatively few people know what to do with snow, since it's relatively rare. Therefore it scares the heck out of me to think I might have to drive in it.
DW
I really dislike winter because it takes away what I enjoy about summer so much. I like to be able to just wander outside into the warm to admire all the pretty green and chase around butterflies. I also like the rain alot because it helps the trees and I think it smells nice.
Yes, I am a pansy in this manner.
Being from Connecticut, ive experienced my fair share of black ice episodes. but of course, the only accident i ever got in was one involving my own fault during the summer, and it was extremely minor. All i can say is just take it easy and get some snow chains! ok, maybe you dont need chains... but winter tires help a bit i guess. now that im in North Carolina (and not really enjoying it) the only snow that comes is maybe once or twice a year, and everything closes. It's kinda neat.
I live in California where we get high 60 degree weather in the winter. Sure, our summers suck, but this is really pleasant. ^_^
~T2K
Ice is seriously not that hard to drive on at all.
As long as you're not using Spring or Summer tires, you should be fine, and it's better if you've got Winter tires instead of All-seasons.
Just don't treat it like it was regular pavement and you'll be in the clear.
There are different types of tires?
Not something I'd come across in the UK, I have to say. You learn something new every day 
Last time we had snow and ice, I was talking to people in the office and they were saying they daren't parallel park where I live (the usual area to park for the office), cos they never knew when they were going to hit a patch of ice and drift merrily into the car they were supposed to be parking behind. *shudders*
DW
thats because in the uk, we all use wet tires. our whether sucks. apart from the snow.
