* Observations * (Final Polar Blast !') * from "Ice Station Zebra" * * ☆ (Mission Completed ! ) ☆ * *

http://chicagoweathercenter.com/blog/resurging-arctic-chill-to-brin...


'Final Polar Blast?' These are the words of 'Weather Professor' Tom Skilling. For entertainment purposes only. :-) Have a good day 'ALL' you Chainlinkers. :-)



http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Chicago&state...

We are NOW going into our fourth month of winter weather! ENOUGH ALREADY !
Observers have sighted an artic air mass dropping down and sending temperatures dropping to single digits. Here we go again. Winter has returned once again. Back to "Ice Station Zebra".
Observers have also sighted some cranky guy named 'Bob' calling cyclists "winter wimps" again.
I BIKE WINTER ! (Whenever I can!)

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/mobile/m/ice_station_zebra/

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Things that are observed when your regular daily pattern of movement (cycling) has been interrupted occassionly by conditions at "Ice Station Zebra."

You can get a different perspective during your travels when the reality of conditions dictate that you take public transportation, taxi, car ride share w/co-worker or walking to your daily destination.

Some things I've seen in length during my "off cycling" period observing behavior affecting cyclists safety, mostly deals with distracted behavior and the ever increasing extent of it.

Examples:

* I'm amazed at seeing the extent of drivers distracted with their smartphones and such while traveling in traffic at the same speed with them, instead of moving slowly along at cycling speed. This explains why I see all the bad driving while i'm cycling. EXTREME DISTRACTED BEHAVIOR !

* Has the mentality been reduced for driving a two-ton vehicle now so as it is bearly the primary responsibility, but a shared duty activity. Doesn't anyone JUST drive anymore?

* Carelessness to clear their windows of snow and ice and white rock salt dirt so that they can SAFELY SEE while driving. Many drivers don't give a damn! You see me, I don't care about you !

* The increasing lack of respect towards pedestrians of all ages and types during these winter conditions. Geez, I'm walking here driver ! Haven't you ever read the rules of the road ! I have ! Yield to pedestrians ! Not bully the pedestrians ! What's your rush! Are you gonna be LATE for the stoplight on the next block ? ! !

* The "Hooray it's winter, and all those damn cyclists are gone" aspect. "The streets are all ours again !" Full throttle flying with their AWD(all wheel drive) SUVs through the snow and ice that the plows have cleared just for them !

* Why does this city prioritize snow removal for the benefit of vehicular movement and hinder pedestrians by plowing the snow into the corner crosswalk/sidewalk/curb bus stop/area for them to climb over? Are the bike lanes always promptly cleared?

* We are very near to election day here in Chicago. Every aspect of city life affects how I vote on election day. I know who, and why I'm voting for them, do you? Don't only VENT, act ! Power to people who bike !

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* Your observations, thoughts and replies have been greatly appreciated. I would like to thank all the 'good' Chainlink members who tolerated my 'creative, eccentric, inspirational, humorous, motivational, and quirky' writing style. :-) ♡ . . . All the best to the 'good' out there ! See 'U' down the road !


Our mission at "Ice Station Zebra" is completed ! My regards and appreciation for your service. Salute !

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"Winter is War, don't surrender ! Battle on ! We're still in this fight ! "(at least till April)

finale ♡

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on January 10, 2015 at 8:26am

That was a good movie. I even went out and bought the LP soundtrack album back when I was a kid. Hmmm, maybe I should play the soundtrack while pedaling this month. I find a good tune helps immensely.

Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on January 10, 2015 at 2:59pm

I proposed a 911 system but dedicated to calling in distracted drivers (lets call it 511).  The calls should be at least recorded with a follow up by the police.  They certainly would have access to the phone records with time and place of calls. My other self would like to walk back and forth across any intersection and just photograph people on their phones or gaming.  They're so distracted they wouldn't see the flash of the camera.  

Finally brought the bike and trailer out - with my beautiful face mask, I feel like I'm a knight in a helmet, or Darth Vader's girl friend.

Nancy

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on January 11, 2015 at 4:20am
All true, but let's be fair. I see many bicyclists riding (one-handed) and talking on the phone too.
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 11, 2015 at 7:39pm
http://www.illinoistollway.com/dropitanddriveillinois

$75 Fine $150 Repeat Offender/license suspension. Crash/bodily harm 1-3 years prison time.

Jim. Reho, the point I'm trying to make is that drivers are becoming increasingly and alarmingly MORE distracted IMO from my recent observations.
Permalink Reply by Louie Louie on January 12, 2015 at 6:25am

I'm pretty used to seeing people on their phones while I ride and almost just assume that no one is actually paying attention.  What really surprises me during the summer is how many drivers and passengers I see smoking weed while driving.  My commute rout encompasses Elston, California and Milwaukee and it's mostly on Milwaukee ave. that I see that behavior occurring.

Permalink Reply by Nancy L. Fagin on January 12, 2015 at 9:55am

Yep - I was locking my bike outside the post office on Ashland/Milwaukee and pin-pointed the "skunky" smell from a plumber's van (rush hour, too).  Does it make the drive that muxch eeeaaasssiiier?

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 13, 2015 at 10:08am

I've smelled weed in traffic many times.

Andy Moss 9.5 said:

+1 

There are a lot of stoned drivers during the evening rush.  It is plainly obvious, even in the cold when car windows are up.
 
Louie Louie said:

I'm pretty used to seeing people on their phones while I ride and almost just assume that no one is actually paying attention.  What really surprises me during the summer is how many drivers and passengers I see smoking weed while driving.  My commute rout encompasses Elston, California and Milwaukee and it's mostly on Milwaukee ave. that I see that behavior occurring.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on January 13, 2015 at 11:39am
It's very interesting and informative to hear from our 'observers' here at "Ice Station Zebra" how people here deal with the effects of winter. We wouldn't want it to get the best of us and make us a little wacky. Now, carry on, back to your stations, battle on !
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Permalink Reply by Melanie M on January 13, 2015 at 3:06pm

Yeah gotta love waiting at a bus stop that has had tons of snow/slush/salt/godknowshowmuchpoop pushed up by the plows right where you are waiting!

I miss my bike in this weather for sure.

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on January 14, 2015 at 4:21am

Same as it ever was.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 1, 2015 at 1:14pm
http://wgntv.com/

Wisdom from the "weather professor ". It's GRUESOME out there right now ! !
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 2, 2015 at 6:36pm
http://www.mybikeadvocate.com/2015/02/chicago-protected-bike-lanes-...

Brendan, I hope you don't mind me reposting this here. I raised this question in my thread. Are the bike lanes always promptly cleared? I guess not. Any other observations?

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