The odd thing is, this is the 7-3 shift going off duty. In ten minutes this space will be blank. The 3-11 shift has already come on duty, but none of them came on motorcycles. I have asked the riders about this before, and it is odd, because the evening shift tends to be younger and more often single. They have no explanation, and neither have I, but it has been that way at my hospital for years.
The riders tend strongly to come from the nursing and maintenance departments. We have a dozen other departments. The personalities drawn to professions may be some explanation, but I have never sussed it out much.
The bikers at work are getting in every minute they can in the heat.
ReplyDeleteI have seen surfing in Maine in late November, courtesy of wet suits, but do not recall seeing much or any- of motorcycles in New England in the winter.
The closest I have come to riding in New England in winter was March. It was still quite cold at night and in the mornings. I camped up and back on my way to the northern border of Massachusetts. Stopped in Stockbridge to see if I could find Alice’s Restaurant.
DeleteCold is the main factor, certainly, but I think traction is also a biggie on that.
ReplyDeleteSurmise:
ReplyDelete7-3 shift has daylight for both ends of the commute. 3-11 shift would need to drive home at a time when it is dark, but a much greater proportion of the other road users are on their way home after an 'evening out'.
Douglas2
Younger and single could translate into not yet having the disposable income or savings to afford a 2nd vehicle that's not always useful, especially in inclement weather. Maintenance is high$ also. And then there are the accessories. I see some expensive saddle bags in that photo.
ReplyDeleteNice collection. Some quality metrics in amongst the Harleys.
ReplyDeleteMy wife rides to work sometimes, and her shift ends at 11. It’s much more dangerous. In addition to the darkness and the drunk drivers — especially among our Mexican immigrants, the word doesn’t seem to have gotten around that the practice is frowned upon — there are also the deer. They come out to the roads after dark, and their brains aren’t fully rational.
Still, she does it sometimes because she loves to ride. I got her one of those glow-y vests with retroreflective stripes. Hopefully she’ll be fine.
March is cold most days, and all nights.
ReplyDelete