Memories in the Mist
Every dog I’ve owned for the past 25 years has peed on this tree. I’ve walked past it hundreds, if not thousands, of times and it seems unchanged. I can’t say the same myself. Riding to work on another foggy morning the Vespa seems to have a mind of its own — turning and taking me where it will. It’s especially strong with a scooter in fog.
Fog.
It’s not an ideal riding environment. Perhaps dangerous. Definitely presents more risk that any rider, scooter or motorcycle, should consider.
Fog and Traffic
I believe there’s no single right decision regarding riding in fog. Or rain, darkness or wind for that matter. Some riding skill books suggest only riding in warm weather during daylight hours with nothing affecting traction or visibility. That path has the least risk. One could go further and add no rush hour traffic, no heavy traffic, no high speed, no ill cared-for roads. The list of risks is long.
Very long.
I was talking with a friend yesterday who moved from central Pennsylvania to a place north of New York City. He described the difference in riding as one of anxiety producing risk where speed limits are ignored and everyone is in a competition to get ahead. Literally.
Different risk. Different choices.
Standing along the busiest route to work on a foggy morning I realize there are unique aspects of my riding environment that allows me to mitigate my risk more than my friend in New York. For those considering riding in fog here are some things in play for me:
- Other drivers are largely non-aggressive. If I slow down for the fog they do as well and not pressure or tailgate.
- There are plenty of opportunities for me to pull over and allow traffic to pass and then get back on the road. This isn’t possible in other parts of the country, especially in more urban areas where traffic never breaks.
- There are many ways to get where I’m going. Often roads with little to no traffic.
Scooter in Fog
I can’t resist. The visual stories are too strong. My imagination overpowers reason and I find myself in magical realms. When I grow up perhaps it will be different.
There’s fog on the mountains this morning. The clock counts down to a trip to the chiropractor and then a day of script writing. The fog sirens are loud though.