Driving at night from the slopes!!

[billski]

I usually pull off somewhere (rest area, gas station parking lot, wherever I can safely park) and just recline the seat and take a nap. 15, 20 minutes seems to work wonders for me.

Me too. As I've gotten older it's become more a necessity, if I'm driving solo. After I get my last run in, if it's a long drive, or more importantly, a stormy drive, I just go into the lodge and put my head down on a table for 15-20 minutes. Everyone's gone, so it's nice and quiet and nothings been locked up yet.

I read about a fellow who when he got older, fell asleep and did a head on crash into a tree. Survived thanks to air bags, but his wife insisted every "day trip" become an overnighter: he would check into a motel for the night.

I'm thinking about doing that now on the front end of the trip. That way I'm well rested, and I can begin skiing earlier, with better conditions, probably quit earlier (I usually close up the day). Hell, 3 hours of driving sure beats 6 hours of driving.

 

[abc]

his wife insisted every "day trip" become an overnighter: he would check into a motel for the night.

I'm thinking about doing that now on the front end of the trip. That way I'm well rested, and I can begin skiing earlier, with better conditions, probably quit earlier (I usually close up the day). Hell, 3 hours of driving sure beats 6 hours of driving.

Not to side track from the thread. But I've skipped the Catskills for that very reason.

I'm too old to do the 3 hr each way for 6 hrs skiing thing!

If I'm to spend time and money on the front end to rent-a-bed the night before, I'd just make the drive further north to VT to get bigger terrain and (generally) better snow!

(I do ski the Catskills but just not often for that reason)

 

[Damato]

8 ball and a case of bud should do it

shotgun!

 

[darent]

for what it is worth, was reading a paper on drivers falling asleep at the wheel, contributing factors,1- opening window getting shot of cool night air, at first wakes you up then tends to go other way. 2- turn music up, lulls you to sleep. 3- eating big meal, digestion makes you drowsy. # 1 suggestion to do. pull over and take cat nap, also talking was better than music. also personel experience, each individual has different coping mechanisms

 

[billski]

for what it is worth, was reading a paper on drivers falling asleep at the wheel, contributing factors,1- opening window getting shot of cool night air, at first wakes you up then tends to go other way. 2- turn music up, lulls you to sleep. 3- eating big meal, digestion makes you drowsy. # 1 suggestion to do. pull over and take cat nap, also talking was better than music. also personel experience, each individual has different coping mechanisms

The advantage to catnap versus overnighter is that it is cheaper, gets you home sooner, and has been proven to really help rejuvinate the body for a longer period than most other remedies, chemical or social... Again, everyone is somewhat different, you mileage will vary...

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

if you skiied all day, then stayed over, wouldnt you want to ski again since you are right there...then the process never ends....ski, stay, ski, stay...which isnt a a bad thing...

i drive alot, so a 2-3 hr drive, skiing then driving home I dont event think about....

 

[billski]

if you skiied all day, then stayed over, wouldnt you want to ski again since you are right there...then the process never ends....ski, stay, ski, stay...which isnt a a bad thing...

i drive alot, so a 2-3 hr drive, skiing then driving home I dont event think about....

True- that is a big problem, which is why I'm looking at night-before, which has other advantages, including first tracks. However when you get to my age (are you close?) your body doesn't have the stamina it did at 20, 30, 40 or even 50.

 

[hammer]

True- that is a big problem, which is why I'm looking at night-before, which has other advantages, including first tracks. However when you get to my age (are you close?) your body doesn't have the stamina it did at 20, 30, 40 or even 50.

After doing day trips for a few years I'd agree...getting out extra early on a Sunday morning for a day trip (even one with a 60-90 minute drive) can be rough and I'm not in optimal condition to ski. Unfortunately, unless I can board my dog on a regular basis day trips are what I'm stuck with...:???:

 

[campgottagopee]

shotgun!

You're hired!!! :lol:

 

[billski]

You're hired!!! :lol:

Keep me posted on your travels, so I make sure I'm going a different route! :lol:

 

[campgottagopee]

Keep me posted on your travels, so I make sure I'm going a different route! :lol:

What??? No sense of adventure?? ;-)

 

[mikestaple]

I got off the caffeine. Only decaf. So when I drive home, I sip a big Red Bull and the caffeine rush really keeps me awake. It didn't have as big of an effect when I was still drinking regular coffee.

 

[happyjack]

for what it is worth, was reading a paper on drivers falling asleep at the wheel, contributing factors,1- opening window getting shot of cool night air, at first wakes you up then tends to go other way. 2- turn music up, lulls you to sleep. 3- eating big meal, digestion makes you drowsy. # 1 suggestion to do. pull over and take cat nap, also talking was better than music. also personel experience, each individual has different coping mechanisms

i'm surprised that since we're only tallking about a couple hour drive that i've not heard anyone suggest pulling over for a 10-15 minute workout...rather than the 10-15 minute catnap.

i've found that 10-15 minutes of light exercise...jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging around a parking lot, etc. will get your heart-rate up and snap you out of the drowsy state for a good hour or so...works for me anyway...

 

[Mullen]

i'm surprised that since we're only tallking about a couple hour drive that i've not heard anyone suggest pulling over for a 10-15 minute workout...rather than the 10-15 minute catnap.

i've found that 10-15 minutes of light exercise...jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging around a parking lot, etc. will get your heart-rate up and snap you out of the drowsy state for a good hour or so...works for me anyway...

Yeah exactly. The cat nap only makes me more tired. Plus once I fall asleep after riding all day......good luck waking me back up.

 

[SIKSKIER]

One thing not to do

I've made the mistake of taking a long hot tub and then getting in thecar to drive.Big mistake for this guy.Can you say nappy time?

 

[midd]

how many people that have places up north come home early monday morning vs. sunday night?

kids/school might make it more difficult, but I think that's what we might start doing. 5:30-6 departure and and in the office comfortably by 9:00 works.

 

[bigbog]

I usually don't rush the start of a return. Usually have something to eat...and then scheduling a little nap is a Must...used to be able to do the long haul all at once, say Albany, NY suburb to Moosehead Lake area at night when living in upper NYS. Nighttime however, for me, is much easier than daytime with traffic. ...But it's those short naps that can really perk one up, amazing how refreshed you can feel with just so little sleep..IF you get into deep sleep without interruptions., but it lasts only so long...think you're right happyjack, some excercise is needed to prevent repeat naps on the long distance..

 

[dns1764]

well last night for the 3hr drive it was loud rock music and 115 on the dash. but speeding suck doesnt always work...i got tagged for doing 55 on the coming off the tobin in boston

 

[darent]

i'm surprised that since we're only tallking about a couple hour drive that i've not heard anyone suggest pulling over for a 10-15 minute workout...rather than the 10-15 minute catnap.

i've found that 10-15 minutes of light exercise...jumping jacks, push-ups, jogging around a parking lot, etc. will get your heart-rate up and snap you out of the drowsy state for a good hour or so...works for me anyway...

got questioned by a cop jogging around a parking lot, thought I was OD'ed on coffee or "something" also a good military trick, red light, lessons eye fatigue. you see truckers with a red glow in the cab at night.

 

[billski]

got questioned by a cop jogging around a parking lot, thought I was OD'ed on coffee or "something" also a good military trick, red light, lessons eye fatigue. you see truckers with a red glow in the cab at night.

That's funny about the jog. I never tried that - always assuming I'm so damn tired from skiing already!

Audi always claimed that the red-lit dashboard is superior, but I never knew why. Must be what they are talking about. I never noticed.