New England B.S. Thread

The Mass Pike should also be a 70 or 75. Lower limits don't actually slow people down. Fun fact: the 85th percentile speed on the MassPike is 75-78 MPH depending on section. Average is consistently 71 MPH. Speed limits are typically set at the 85th percentile speed, rounded up to the next 5 MPH. Data shows that's the safest number on nearly all roads, and the intention is for the limit to be set there so tickets are only merited if people are genuinely unreasonable. Unfortunately, that's not how it works out.

MA has a lot of issues with speed limits because they don't give MassDOT enough manpower to properly oversee them. So, you get cities and towns posting illegal limits very often with no one to call them out on it. Some are just ignorant of the process, others have motives and don't care that they're illegal. A speed limit can't be posted in MA unless it has a supporting special speed regulation and study. If there is none, you can't have a sign and the road falls back on the prima facie limits. I got a few signs pulled this week because the city had a road that would be a prima facie 40 posted at a 30 when no speed study was ever done. I typically won't bring it up, but in this case I noticed the city police sitting there watching for speeders, undoubtedly writing illegal 30 MPH tickets. That doesn't fly with me.

Maine acknowledged that everyone on that northern section of I-95 was going higher than 65 anyway, so they raised it. Only reason to keep it low is to allow officers to write citations.

I love Katahdin. It's an incredible mountain. Didn't get a chance to climb it this year, but I usually go up and over the Knife's Edge every year.

I think I'm more sensitive to bitterness than most people. Those fruity drinks with about 3% alcohol in them just taste awful to me. Somehow all that sugar does almost nothing to cover it up. Grapefruit is unbearable too. Probably the same reason I don't like coffee.

 

Going back to the gun talk a couple pages back, try different shops if the one you go to won't give you what you want. Don't lose all hope in getting something because it's not on the list.

 

Yeah but you need to come back up so I have someone to complain with!

Feel free to stop by mind too if needed. Although I'm not sure you're coming my way!

Cajuns love coffee. It's something we would struggle to live without. If it is good, strong coffee I'll drink it black or with a little cream. Love me a cafe au lait. Up here the coffee is either burnt or weak. So I'll drink it with cream and sugar. If I use a french press and make it my way I won't need anything but a little cream. Coffee machines never make it strong enough.

Never got into the IPAs. Just too bitter for me. Love me a good rich stout or porter though. Mmm.

I agree about the bourbon or scotch! I just introduced @tacobell007 to Ardbeg 10year when he came by a couple weekends ago.

 

Been procrastinating forever and a day, so I finally ordered the hardwire kit for the dashcam I picked up, with the add-a-fuse to tap into the fuse box.

 

Speed limits are also based on stopping sight distances and the average reaction time of old people. If an old person can't react fast enough the speed is too high. Or if a person of average height can't see far enough to effectively stop.

 

We stay near Katahdin at least once a year at Shin Pond. This is the view from the cabins we rent there:



Even closer

 

Don't worry I will be. Still need to get that bumper ready

 

DD is everywhere here. My city is only 7.7mi², and there's 5 DDs, and a few more just over the city border.

 

Here in Danbury, the best thing ever... a DD across the street from another DD.

 

Even with all factors combined (road characteristics, typical traffic, etc.) MassDOT typically won't recommend a speed limit lower than 85th percentile - 7 MPH rounded up to the next 5 MPH. On the Pike that would still mean 70.

What the towns, cities, typical citizen, and many police officers don't understand is there isn't much room for opinion in speed limits. It's all based on data. Slope of a road around a corner can factor into what kind of drop a corner is given, for instance. There's formulas for everything based on decades of history across the country.

 

We have one spot in Pittsfield where you could see two of them.

We had a few Donut Mans around here. They were fantastic--very small chain. But, they closed and now DD is opening in place of at least one of them.

 

Yeah... seems like there's a DD just about everywhere around here nowadays. I'm not a coffee person, so I don't go to any of those places. Guess it must be really convenient for all those that are.

 

So... what you're saying is, lifted trucks save lives!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfHpU2DMNOU

 

Haha, yes!

 

If you like Islay scotches (Ardbeg is from Islay) you should try Laphroaig. One of my favorites, but it's very peat-y (and at $45 a bottle I don't buy it very often), so if you like the milder scotches approach it with caution.

 

I haven't had any Islay scotches before, but my wife got me a bottle of Lagavulin 16 as a wedding present. Haven't opened that seal yet though.

 

https://youtu.be/E3Tb06jqNDc

It's getting that way up here, pretty sad actually.

I used to drive that road at least once a month, stopped at that spot almost every trip.

 

Love me some Islay scotch! Laphroaig is definitely delicious, but it's just not quite as smokey and peaty as Ardbeg! Lagavulin 16 should be a super tasty treat! You should definitely crack that bottle...

I prefer my scotch to be smokey and peaty and not too smooth. To me, you drink a blend when you want something smooth and sweet. Single malt is supposed to warm you up and bring some color to your face.

 

This and you can get anything via private party sale if you know where to look.