Another morning greeted by fog which, for me, is near the pinnacle of riding environments. While not the most dramatic fog day it was still enough to push me on a more circuitous route to work.
Most riding textbooks I’ve read counsel riders to leave the bike at home when it’s foggy with similar advice for night, rain, snow and other visibility limited situations. Those situations definitely have heightened risk but can be managed with training, preparation and a riding mind attuned to the dangers.
Acquiring those skills is the challenge.
Reading about a crash on ModernVespa.com two comments stood out that shine a light on the possible outcomes of learning to ride in less than ideal conditions.
“…congrats on the healthy crash. crashing safely is the best thing you can do to become a better rider…”
and
“Wish it wasn’t so, but experience really is the best teacher. Glad she is ok.”
The comments relate to a new rider making a mistake on a wet road. Easy to do especially if you think riding on wet roads is pretty much the same as dry ones. You can get away with that thinking in a car but on two wheels not so much.
Anyways, I’ve been thinking about how differently I ride in different conditions including fog. And try to keep the risk fresh. Two of the most anxiety provoking rides I’ve ever made were in fog.
The ride to work today was uneventful — at least I can’t remember anything happening of note. Just a relaxed ride through the countryside slowly giving way to autumn. Before long we’ll be seeing snow flakes in the air…
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Yep, before long (like this afternoon!).
Beautiful fog photos. I’ve always enjoyed foggy mornings.
RichardM: As I’ve gotten older I am much more attuned to the changes of seasons and not just because the aches and pains of my body change with the weather. There are subtle signals (and some not so subtle) that I missed in the frantic swirls of youth. It is an item on the PROS side of the growing older list…
Hope Mother Nature gives you a few more riding says in Alaska!
That first shot is a beauty Steve! Fog is definitely best when found amongst trees.
Charlie6 (Dom): Hard to go wrong photographically when fog is an element of the picture. Trees just add to the magic.
Nice photo Steve ,
The bright sun shining through the fog …… Magical
I do like to ride in fog albeit very carefully, my other added challenge is the fact I have zero sight in my left eye….this is not something that will stop me ever riding but does challenge me now and then.
Regards
Len