Safe on the road

I know there hasn't been much on the blog. It's hard keeping up with three practices per day and the boat repairs that caused. I know rowers won't believe this, but coaches need rest as well. Such a schedule can really make one's launch driving hand tired.

Anyway, we're back now in lovely Pittsburgh. Warm and raining this weekend, followed by chilling temperatures just cold enough to drive us back inside. I can hear the groans and knashing of teeth now. Yes, children, more ergs.

First story of the drive back happened last night. When towing a boat trailer, I'm generally one of the longest rigs on the road. With Pitt's truck, the entire setup is just as long as a tractor-trailer. Such length gets me some discretion from other motorists, especially in West Virginia, where such equipment generates strange looks. Having University of Pittsburgh all over the truck did earn us one flip-off, I guess from a disappointed basketball fan.

Imagine my shock when we came upon a guy towing a rig like what's pictured below.

Yes, a fifth wheel camper towing a fishing boat. Guy was alone, watching a movie as he drove along. I had never seen such a setup before or even heard about it. With the way the boat was swinging around, I figured he was about to kill somebody or do some great insurance damage, so I called the cops. They took my information and location and said "We're sorry you have to see something like there here. We'll get on it to make the roads safer." We followed awhile to see if the West Virginia cops came to get him, but no action at all.

Turns out, this is actually legal in most states. I simply can't believe it, but that's the case. Your average American idiot (redundant, I know) can do this if he/she's got the toys. I'm wondering if I can hook up anything to the back of the boat trailer.....

Categories: Rowing, Coaching, Training, Safety, Misc