Vernal Equinox: Thermonuclear Threat on the Horizon
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Vernal Equinox: Thermonuclear Threat on the Horizon
My shadow is lining up with my direction of travel.
Though it can happen at any time of year in the right direction, for those of us with E/W grid roads, the sun is rising and setting directly in more eyes than usual.
I remind myself with this, and now is a good time to refresh:
Your shadow points at danger. When you're looking into the sun, where's your shadow?
Though it can happen at any time of year in the right direction, for those of us with E/W grid roads, the sun is rising and setting directly in more eyes than usual.
I remind myself with this, and now is a good time to refresh:
Your shadow points at danger. When you're looking into the sun, where's your shadow?
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That's not good. You won't be able to see those sneaking up directly behind you either! <grin>
At other times when the sun is at my back I find shadows useful to tell me where others are that are close behind.
At other times when the sun is at my back I find shadows useful to tell me where others are that are close behind.
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I"'e never understood the "your shadow points to the danger" idea. In this photo, the shadow is in front, meaning the sun is behind both you and any driver behind you. Unless the driver is blinded by his mirror (unlikely), this is a good scenario. It's when you cast a long shadow behind you, which you obviously wouldn't know, that you're in danger.
That said, low sun at prime commuting times is a real issue, and I prefer to remind myself that if the sun is blinding me, it's blinding the driver behind me too.
That said, low sun at prime commuting times is a real issue, and I prefer to remind myself that if the sun is blinding me, it's blinding the driver behind me too.
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“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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I"'e never understood the "your shadow points to the danger" idea. In this photo, the shadow is in front, meaning the sun is behind both you and any driver behind you. Unless the driver is blinded by his mirror (unlikely), this is a good scenario. It's when you cast a long shadow behind you, which you obviously wouldn't know, that you're in danger.
That said, low sun at prime commuting times is a real issue, and I prefer to remind myself that if the sun is blinding me, it's blinding the driver behind me too.
That said, low sun at prime commuting times is a real issue, and I prefer to remind myself that if the sun is blinding me, it's blinding the driver behind me too.
The problem is there are two threat directions, from front and behind. Need something short and snappy.. maybe in the "Red sky in morning.....sailor's delight" vein.
Looking for a better way to say this.
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In this case, it's purely about low sun, and that happens daily year round, though the time and direction changes with the calendar.
FWIW it's taken me a long time to understand the specific reference to the vernal equinox because, coming from the Northeast, I don't expect roads to orient to any compass point over others.
Trivia question for NewYorkers.
Name a street that orients east/west in Manhattan.
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“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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This motorist when debriefed reported that the approaching cyclist was not visible.
Just to add more fat to the fire, there is the constant angle, decreasing range threat when you are hidden by the A-pillar of a motorist who might, I dunno, fail to come to a full stop before entering a road where a cyclist has the right of way. I don’t know how to say that concisely either.
Last edited by flangehead; 04-02-24 at 01:25 PM.
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.....
Just to add more fat to the fire, there is the constant angle, decreasing range threat when you are hidden by the A-pillar of a motorist who might, I dunno, fail to come to a full stop before entering a road where a cyclist has the right of way. I don’t know how to say that concisely either.
Just to add more fat to the fire, there is the constant angle, decreasing range threat when you are hidden by the A-pillar of a motorist who might, I dunno, fail to come to a full stop before entering a road where a cyclist has the right of way. I don’t know how to say that concisely either.
Because of the speeds involved cyclists don't tend to stay hidden long. However a crossing pedestrian can "hide" there for most of left turn. As an urban driver, I'm responsible for knowing and factoring the blind spot.
As for warning cyclists, I go by the old trucker's rule ----- If you can't see the driver's face, he can't see you.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#12
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Bridge street (formerly Brug Straat) is the street in Manhattan that's east/west, one way, for two blocks.
Other than as an answer to a trivia question, the street is unremarkable.
If your long shadow points directly in front of you,
people coming TOWARD you will have difficulty seeing you.
You are in INCREASED danger of a pull out or a left cross in the US
during such a time.
If you can see a driver's face, they STILL might not see you.
They might not be looking at you or they might be looking through you.
(But we made eye contact is of little comfort after a crash.)
Finally, Manhattatanhedge 2024 takes place at sunset on May 30 and July 11 this year.
-mr. bill
Other than as an answer to a trivia question, the street is unremarkable.
If your long shadow points directly in front of you,
people coming TOWARD you will have difficulty seeing you.
You are in INCREASED danger of a pull out or a left cross in the US
during such a time.
If you can see a driver's face, they STILL might not see you.
They might not be looking at you or they might be looking through you.
(But we made eye contact is of little comfort after a crash.)
Finally, Manhattatanhedge 2024 takes place at sunset on May 30 and July 11 this year.
-mr. bill
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#14
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My statement covered a condition where a driver cannot see you.
As you say, knowing that he isn't prevented from seeing you, in no way implies that he does. (or that he cares)