Bad Ski Commutes

[billski]

I live in metro Boston, wasn't born here and didn't learn to drive in Mass., but I shamefully must call those who learned to drive here my fellow citizens, though I disavow them every chance I get. Those who ski and drive just as bad, maybe worse. Here is my list of road I hate to travel to/fro skiing simply due to the idiotic driving, primarily on the weekends:

I-93 from Franconia notch to Boston (offenders are mostly MA plates)
I-89 from I-91 to Waterbury. (offenders are mostly NY plates)

It is on both these stretches that I have seen more rollovers and high speeds (can you say 90-100mph) than anywhere else. while Mass drivers become totally encumbered and slow to 30 mph when we get an inch, it's the skiing Mass drivers that worry me the most.

Someone please explain to me why they drive like He11 on the way to the slopes, and are in their cars and gone by 2pm? What's the rush, if you're not going to enjoy the day? It's almost like they have a ticket to punch instead of enjoying the experience. Or is it just a badge of honor to say "you've been to Sugarbush, etc.etc.)?

As long as I live around here, I remain puzzled.

 

[dmc]

Maybe they get tired...

 

[Greg]

Kinda generalizing/stereotyping here a bit, no?

 

[ctenidae]

The worst is coming back from NH, from the NH tolls on. Absolutely packed with traffic, and speeds ranging from 100 to 0. Hate that drive.

 

[billski]

Kinda generalizing/stereotyping here a bit, no?

I don't think it's necessary to point out that there are exceptions to every rule. This is a pretty smart bunch here.

 

[wa-loaf]

Try getting through the Hampton tolls quickly on a Friday afternoon. :-o

 

[Dr Skimeister]

It sounds like the same experience driving the NY "F-you" way (that's the Thruway) on a Sunday evening. It gets a bit uncomfortable driving bumper-to-bumper at 75mph with the white Escalade behind me flashing his lights because I try to keep a car length between me and the car in fron of me.

 

[Greg]

I don't think it's necessary to point out that there are exceptions to every rule. This is a pretty smart bunch here.

Just sayin'. I really don't think about this too much. As a SNE driver, any "traffic" in NNE hardly phases me. And when I come home from VT, I just accept the fact that I'll likely be sitting in traffic in Hartford. I don't have the energy to worry much about it. If I let it bother me that much, it would be healthier for me to figure out a way to move North.

 

[dmc]

It sounds like the same experience driving the NY "F-you" way (that's the Thruway) on a Sunday evening. It gets a bit uncomfortable driving bumper-to-bumper at 75mph with the white Escalade behind me flashing his lights because I try to keep a car length between me and the car in fron of me.

We call that the Killington factor..

 

[Warp Daddy]

Yeah --- last yr on our pres week trip thru NH on our swing down from cannon , loon etc to our daughter's home in Littleton i see these NH trooper's STANDING out in the outer edge of the damn SLOW lane hailing whole groups of guys over ---------------- it freaked me out !


Some dumb ass BARNEY types hailing guys over with a wave of their finger - damn lucky they didn't get creamed . Guess they don't use technology there AND BTW rt 3 Everett Turnpike is a pain on occasion

 

[billski]

Just sayin'. I really don't think about this too much. As a SNE driver, any "traffic" in NNE hardly phases me. And when I come home from VT, I just accept the fact that I'll likely be sitting in traffic in Hartford. I don't have the energy to worry much about it. If I let it bother me that much, it would be healthier for me to figure out a way to move North.

I make the distinction because I can relax a bit put the car on cruise when I'm up north and not have to worry about making decisions every 30 seconds. Once I hit 93, it's like I'm already back into the rat race. Move? I wish life was that simple. Things are pretty complicated in my realm, I'll leave it at that.

 

[dmc]

I love cruise control.... Sves gas and tickets...

 

[ctenidae]

And when I come home from VT, I just accept the fact that I'll likely be sitting in traffic in Hartford. I don't have the energy to worry much about it. If I let it bother me that much, it would be healthier for me to figure out a way to move North.

I hate driving through Hartford, no matter the direction or time.
It's almost as bad as Richmond VA used to be before they took out the tolls.

 

[Angus]

Two years ago, skiing at Cannon on a Sunday, we left the mountain around 4PM. It was in mid-February and there was a big snow storm raging in the Boston area - our destination. It was a crazy trip home. My observation was that the yahoos were getting on 93 from WV and Loon and driving big luxury SUVs (not to stereotype!). The snow was relatively light until Plymouth where it was coming down increasingly heavy and sticking to the road. Cars were zipping by us at 70-80 mph into the storm - half mile later off the road! It got to be a game with my son and me, we'd watch a vehicle go by at a high rate of speed and guess how soon afterwards we'd see it off the road. Literally, we saw 20 vehicles off the road and not just off on a shoulder but rolled over, in the woods - multiple injuries. Between Laconia and Concord, it was crazy.

Why? 1) people are stupid and increasingly inpatient, 2) drivers feel invincible in their SUVs - 4 WD seems to denote the magical ability to maintain surface traction under any conditions, 3) drivers are not native New Englanders and were never taught to drive in snow or 4) all the recent improvements in snow removal/pre-treating roads/salt has resulted in a dramatically diminished need to drive in poor road conditions - making us all the worse in true winter conditions!

 

[bdjeep]

People tend to get a herd mentality when driving, regardless of road conditions. All it takes is one yahoo to zip past at 80mph and a whole bunch more will follow. Resist the temptation and let 'em pass.

 

[billski]

lemmings

People tend to get a herd mentality when driving, regardless of road conditions. All it takes is one yahoo to zip past at 80mph and a whole bunch more will follow. Resist the temptation and let 'em pass.

replace "herd" with "lemming" and it reveals:

"On occasion, and particularly in the case of the Norway lemmings in Scandinavia, large migrating groups will reach a cliff overlooking the ocean. They will stop until the urge to press on causes them to jump off the cliff and start swimming, sometimes to exhaustion and death. Lemmings are also often pushed into the sea as more and more lemmings arrive at the shore."
source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemmings

Sound familiar?

 

[pepperdawg]

Lemmings was a cool video game back in the day....

 

[Mark_151]

It sounds like the same experience driving the NY "F-you" way (that's the Thruway) on a Sunday evening. It gets a bit uncomfortable driving bumper-to-bumper at 75mph with the white Escalade behind me flashing his lights because I try to keep a car length between me and the car in fron of me.

I drive a pickup and in those situations where I have someone on my ass I just continuously clean my windshield -- backs 'em right off and it's less hazardous that slamming on the brakes.

 

[Talisman]

I always dread the drive back from Sunday River or Sugar Loaf. A long drive on back road, tolls and then driving through or around Boston.

 

[tomski]

It sounds like the same experience driving the NY "F-you" way (that's the Thruway) on a Sunday evening. It gets a bit uncomfortable driving bumper-to-bumper at 75mph with the white Escalade behind me flashing his lights because I try to keep a car length between me and the car in fron of me.

That's why I drive the Teconic. Those Long Islanders from Killington on the Thruway think they own the road and any one driving safely is an assualt on their way of life.