Jeez! We went for a 2hr ride last Sunday in 60 degree sunshine!
Now its:
All area schools closed
About 8 inches on the ground, still snowing with 10 to 14 in. expected
Wind at 20mph (30mph gusts) causing near 0 visibility & road closings
Not expected to stop till this afternoon
If you don't like the IL weather, stick around!
What do you think my R's chances are? (Kidding of course)
I'll try to post some pics later today.
First official 06/07 IL Blizzard !
Moderator: Moderators
First official 06/07 IL Blizzard !
Mark - Member 522
04 R1150R (Silver)
04 R1150R (Silver)
Drift between deck and garage got to about 3ft:
Drift on the garage roof, hope it holds the Rs in there!
The neighbors going nowhere, snow plow pile is now even with the hood!
That's about a 4 ft drift going across my back patio
I guess I won't be using this any time soon:
Drift on the garage roof, hope it holds the Rs in there!
The neighbors going nowhere, snow plow pile is now even with the hood!
That's about a 4 ft drift going across my back patio
I guess I won't be using this any time soon:
Mark - Member 522
04 R1150R (Silver)
04 R1150R (Silver)
Yeah, that's kinda like what it looks like here. Funny thing, I live in south KC and we got about 9" last night. North KC got nothing. The pics make it look pretty 
(which are nice btw 
) What it really makes for is a pain in the butt to get around in though. We had ice the day before so that stuff is under the light, fluffy snow we got last night... 
At least there's one 4x4 in the household
Anyway, be safe out there driving!
(which are nice btw ) What it really makes for is a pain in the butt to get around in though. We had ice the day before so that stuff is under the light, fluffy snow we got last night... At least there's one 4x4 in the household Anyway, be safe out there driving!
'04 R1150R
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CARTEEUSMC
- Basic User
- Posts: 59
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- Location: Decatur, ILL
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At least you have power
I came to work at Caterpillar in Decatur bc at least they have heat!!!
And my poor RR. It was 65 on Wednesday and I was playing with her...she got some snow!! And I do believe she is mad at me!
And my poor RR. It was 65 on Wednesday and I was playing with her...she got some snow!! And I do believe she is mad at me!
Clint Cartee
We're sending it your way...let us know how things turn outNoRRmad wrote:It's nearly seventy degrees ('bout 21 C,) in NYC today, and right now it's raining like crazy, with thunder and lightning.
(Oh, and there's a tornado watch issued by NOAA for the evening!)
....sorry if it totally sucks, btw...'04 R1150R
I need a crash course (perhaps "crash" is the wrong word) on driving in the snow. I have a job in Big Sky, Montana next week and am going to be staying in a little cabin in the mountains trying to get around in the snow to different areas. I've never driven in snow! I'm going to be there four days and the weather report is showing SNOW and high of 25 and low of 10-12. I've never been in weather that cold!!!!
I don't know how to drive in snow as I rarely see it. However I slid through a couple of intersections once on ice in Dallas, but that's the extent of my experience and I don't think I did real well those times. Everything was like slow motion, just spinning through the intersection - seeing people's faces in cars as I spun, but amazingly never hit anyone and no one seemed mad. They seemed to think it was such a graceful loss of traction that it deserved an audience and applause. I finally straightened out and just headed on my way.
BUT - this time I'm in a rented car and trying to get work done. I really need to know how to drive in snow. I think they said they are renting me an SUV. So tips on driving in snow would be nice as well as warnings for danger signs. Perhaps a crash couse on what to do if I get stranded in the back country as well. I know I will have a snowmobile part of the time, but I need to get around the area in the SUV also. So help please.
I don't know how to drive in snow as I rarely see it. However I slid through a couple of intersections once on ice in Dallas, but that's the extent of my experience and I don't think I did real well those times. Everything was like slow motion, just spinning through the intersection - seeing people's faces in cars as I spun, but amazingly never hit anyone and no one seemed mad. They seemed to think it was such a graceful loss of traction that it deserved an audience and applause. I finally straightened out and just headed on my way.
BUT - this time I'm in a rented car and trying to get work done. I really need to know how to drive in snow. I think they said they are renting me an SUV. So tips on driving in snow would be nice as well as warnings for danger signs. Perhaps a crash couse on what to do if I get stranded in the back country as well. I know I will have a snowmobile part of the time, but I need to get around the area in the SUV also. So help please.
Kristi
05 Granite Grey
05 Granite Grey
Gypsy,
First of all, don't let 4WD, Anti-Lock brakes, ground clearence, or whatever else is on that SUV, lull you into any sence of security.
Just like on a motorcycle your head is the best tool you have.
The best advice is leave early, slow down, and try to go a steady speed (no cruise control). Here in IL when roads are snow packed and hazerdous, 40-50mph, about 25-40 if it's snowing or blowing or the road or weather conditions are more hazerdous, i.e. wind, curves and hills, etc.
Try to avoid sudden and hard braking, instead start decelerating way in advance of the stop, and use the breaks lightly.
(The words slow, steady, and smooth come to mind)
I'm sure others will chime in too, one good thing going for you is that you ride a motorcycle, so you already know about staying alert, and using good judgement.
Also, here is a link to the IL State Police Winter Driving tips:
http://www.isp.state.il.us/traffic/traffictips.cfm
First of all, don't let 4WD, Anti-Lock brakes, ground clearence, or whatever else is on that SUV, lull you into any sence of security.
Just like on a motorcycle your head is the best tool you have.
The best advice is leave early, slow down, and try to go a steady speed (no cruise control). Here in IL when roads are snow packed and hazerdous, 40-50mph, about 25-40 if it's snowing or blowing or the road or weather conditions are more hazerdous, i.e. wind, curves and hills, etc.
Try to avoid sudden and hard braking, instead start decelerating way in advance of the stop, and use the breaks lightly.
(The words slow, steady, and smooth come to mind)
I'm sure others will chime in too, one good thing going for you is that you ride a motorcycle, so you already know about staying alert, and using good judgement.
Also, here is a link to the IL State Police Winter Driving tips:
http://www.isp.state.il.us/traffic/traffictips.cfm
Mark - Member 522
04 R1150R (Silver)
04 R1150R (Silver)
Gypsy, I would add a couple things to Mark's advice which sounded good to me When your approaching a turn, brake to a speed that will see you through the turn before you get there. You don't want to try and brake during a turn as it will lock up the wheels and you'll potentially slide the direction your momentum wants to take you. Actually gentle on the throttle while in the turn will keep the front on track and pull you through. The best thing to do is find an empty parking lot and practice after you get your rental if you have the time. Get used to how it handles.
Not all 4 wheel drives systems are the same either. If you get a 4WD that you can switch between modes and the roads are snow packed, put it in full time 4wd. That will lock the center differential and provide equal traction to both axle's. Part time will let the center diff slip a bit and is what you should use when you are transitioning between dry pavement and the nasty stuff else the front end will buck in tight turns.
If you get an AWD like a Subaru, if it's automatic, the system puts about 90% of the traction to the front wheels and 10% to the rear until it senses slippage and then the center diff will lock up and split it 50/50. I doubt you be able to rent a manual tranny but the AWD is different in that flavor of Subaru. It split's 50/50 all the time and the center diff will lock when it senses too much slippage. AWD's typically won't have a switch either like some 4x's...they just do it
What I would pack...a heavy blanket, a cell phone, flashlight, those hand warmer packets that you open and once they're exposed to air, they warm up. Use the blanket to keep you warm if you get stuck, don't let the car run. I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting...
When your approaching a turn, brake to a speed that will see you through the turn before you get there. You don't want to try and brake during a turn as it will lock up the wheels and you'll potentially slide the direction your momentum wants to take you. Actually gentle on the throttle while in the turn will keep the front on track and pull you through. The best thing to do is find an empty parking lot and practice after you get your rental if you have the time. Get used to how it handles.Not all 4 wheel drives systems are the same either. If you get a 4WD that you can switch between modes and the roads are snow packed, put it in full time 4wd. That will lock the center differential and provide equal traction to both axle's. Part time will let the center diff slip a bit and is what you should use when you are transitioning between dry pavement and the nasty stuff else the front end will buck in tight turns.
If you get an AWD like a Subaru, if it's automatic, the system puts about 90% of the traction to the front wheels and 10% to the rear until it senses slippage and then the center diff will lock up and split it 50/50. I doubt you be able to rent a manual tranny but the AWD is different in that flavor of Subaru. It split's 50/50 all the time and the center diff will lock when it senses too much slippage. AWD's typically won't have a switch either like some 4x's...they just do it
What I would pack...a heavy blanket, a cell phone, flashlight, those hand warmer packets that you open and once they're exposed to air, they warm up. Use the blanket to keep you warm if you get stuck, don't let the car run. I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting...
'04 R1150R