here it comes....rain

Ok, so now that the rainy season is officially dripping on us, let me
be the first to remind us all to be aware of the usual hazards...


Roads are greasy and slippery during the first storms of the season.
Those painted lines and traffic markings can be very treacherous when
they are wet.
Manhole covers and other metal street coverings will be slippery!

The usual advice I hear, and give:

Be mindful that braking and turning should be very smooth, without
sudden or quick moves.

Give yourself ample room between yourself and other vehicles, beware
of tailgating drivers!

Check to see that your tires have enough tread to properly vent water
out from between the tire and road.

Be aware that visibilty is reduced for both car drivers and you. Using
a good anti-fog product can prevent sudden loss of visibility if your
shield fogs up. Yikes.

Try to avoid places on the road where it is especially slippery, like
the center of any lane. Water also pools in many places, so be aware
of any hazards you know of. Try to learn the bad spots in your daily
commute.
Lane sharing can be complicated in wet weather, those bots dots and
lane stripes are a hazard. If you lane share, stay in the lane you are
sharing whenever possible.

Make yourself visible! Wear bright colored gear, if you have auxiliary
lights, use them. Tap your brakes to alert drivers of your position at
stops. Check your "6" (behind you) often to check for oncoming cars.
When you signal, be emphatic. I use handsignals in addtition to
indicators even though they are not required by law.

Get comfortable and dry by wearing water resistant gear. Boots are an
especially vulnerable area for water to get into so take that into
account if buying gear. I found that a one piece suit with a big dose
of Scotchgard or other treatment is good.

Stay extra aware in heavy traffic! Car and truck drivers seem to drive
faster and more agressively when conditions are poor, so keep your
attention to what's around you.

If you have other suggestions/warnings, please post em up!

And don't forget, it's only water!

 

Word. Even in the cage I've been caught by surprise a few times this
week.
Lots of construction in Santa Cruz County ( & probably elsewhere) as
crews rush to last minute repairs/projects before fall/winter weather
closes in. They've been doing lots of paving in the San Lorenzo
Valley, leaving gravel strewn in the craziest places. (Middle of the
Hwy-1 Fishhook, sure what the heck! Or, seems like a great day to pave
Quail Hollow Road!)
At least when its been raining, you have some warning..

 

Besides mud, watch out for wet leaf mulch under
the trees. Really slippery stuff that won't wash
away until we get more rain.