Based on my heating bill, winter is officially here. Another leading indicator is all the snow in the ground; last week it snowed quite a lot. I do not know exactly how much; however, from various unreliable sources, I have gathered at least 6 inches. It is hard to tell because, up here, the snow is cleared very quickly from the roads. A good thing, I suppose, unless you would like to drive on snow -- which I did.
I mean, not as if I wanted to drive in that dangerous, slippery, and perilous substance every day; however, I had been looking forward to trying it out -- you know, experience what it was like. The first time it was very disappointing, too much snow had been cleared out. Luckily the snow continued falling for a few more days and, here and there, I was able to find a spot to try and lose control.
Literally, that was the goal: to lose control of the car. And learn how to prevent it. Well, through many trial and one error I learned a few things:
1. It is actually pretty hard to go out of control on purpose -- something always goes right.
2. Anti-block breaks makes funny noises.
3. Instead of breaking, I can stop in a much shorter distance by gearing down.
4. Unless I want to slide -- which I might -- I should not break during a turn.
5. If I'm sliding on a turn, one good way to gain traction again is to accelerate. It is very similar to a spinning bowling ball: it slides, and slide, until it seems it will land in the gutter and, just in the nick of time, as it is about to fall, it turns the other way.
6. Alternatively, to stop sliding on a turn, turn the other way -- in the direction you are not trying to go.
7. Unless you are trying to lose control, never slam the breaks.
However, that is all good knowledge while still in control. Once I really lost it there was only one thing to do: SLAM THE BREAKS. I remember how it happened; it was all pretty slow -- in hind sight. I was trying out one of my shenanigans at a parking lot: I was going to make a sharp turn, but, even before I even went into it, I knew I had not given myself enough room. All that was left was stopping in the short span between my car and the fire hydrant in front. Forget about gearing down, SLAM THE BREAKS. Of course, the car would not stop, so much for anti-block breaks. Ssshhhttt. That was the sound the car made as it came to a stop, off the pavement; the fire hydrant inches from the back door.
So here are a few more lessons learned:
1. If you are going to make an error, err on the side of caution;
2. Follow the advise of the locals -- drive slow and break early; and
3. If you do lose control and end up off the pavement with a fire hydrant inches from your car, make sure to have a snow shovel handy -- unless you want to leave your car stranded in a pile of snow.
I mean, not as if I wanted to drive in that dangerous, slippery, and perilous substance every day; however, I had been looking forward to trying it out -- you know, experience what it was like. The first time it was very disappointing, too much snow had been cleared out. Luckily the snow continued falling for a few more days and, here and there, I was able to find a spot to try and lose control.
Literally, that was the goal: to lose control of the car. And learn how to prevent it. Well, through many trial and one error I learned a few things:
1. It is actually pretty hard to go out of control on purpose -- something always goes right.
2. Anti-block breaks makes funny noises.
3. Instead of breaking, I can stop in a much shorter distance by gearing down.
4. Unless I want to slide -- which I might -- I should not break during a turn.
5. If I'm sliding on a turn, one good way to gain traction again is to accelerate. It is very similar to a spinning bowling ball: it slides, and slide, until it seems it will land in the gutter and, just in the nick of time, as it is about to fall, it turns the other way.
6. Alternatively, to stop sliding on a turn, turn the other way -- in the direction you are not trying to go.
7. Unless you are trying to lose control, never slam the breaks.
However, that is all good knowledge while still in control. Once I really lost it there was only one thing to do: SLAM THE BREAKS. I remember how it happened; it was all pretty slow -- in hind sight. I was trying out one of my shenanigans at a parking lot: I was going to make a sharp turn, but, even before I even went into it, I knew I had not given myself enough room. All that was left was stopping in the short span between my car and the fire hydrant in front. Forget about gearing down, SLAM THE BREAKS. Of course, the car would not stop, so much for anti-block breaks. Ssshhhttt. That was the sound the car made as it came to a stop, off the pavement; the fire hydrant inches from the back door.
So here are a few more lessons learned:
1. If you are going to make an error, err on the side of caution;
2. Follow the advise of the locals -- drive slow and break early; and
3. If you do lose control and end up off the pavement with a fire hydrant inches from your car, make sure to have a snow shovel handy -- unless you want to leave your car stranded in a pile of snow.
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