Tag: Weather

WTAM 1100 – Smartphone Snow Apps

Play Audio – WTAM 1100 Newsradio – Tech Tuesday – February 3rd, 2015:

WTAM 1100 Newsradio Cleveland OhioThis week has seen a lot of Winter storms hitting the midwest. While we’re still digging ourselves out from yet another snowstorm, here’s a list of apps that can be useful for dealing with Winter’s wrath:

  • Plowz and Mowz – Like Uber for snow plowing. It allows you to search for on-demand snow plowing (or mowing service during warmer weather) in your area, either through the website or the smartphone app available for Android and iOS.
  • First Aid – Protect yourself with step-by-step instructions first aid from the American Red Cross.
  • Waze – Get a head’s up as you head into work with traffic and road hazard alerts using this free GPS app that provides information from other drivers on your route.
  • Snow Day Calculator Looking to get your kid’s hopes up? Snow Day Calculator has both a web page and downloadable app that allows you to enter your zip code in and get a rough percentage chance that their school will be closed. The app was built a few years back by a middle school student who is now at MIT.

Top 4 Things I Love About Fall Motorcycle Riding

As the temperature rose to above 50°F today, I took the opportunity for a nice Fall ride through the northeast Ohio countryside. The ride brought up 5 things I love about Fall rides:

  1. The temperatures makes suiting up in protective gear not only safer, but more comfortable. I enjoy the process of donning my armored jacket and overpants, buckling up the boots and closing up my full face helmet. As I toss a leg over the bike and watch the instrument panel light up and fuel pump prime, it’s the closest thing I’ll get to being a fighter pilot.
  2. When you meet up with another motorcyclist at an intersection, gas station, or parking lot, there’s usually some quick conversation about how thankful you both are to get another ride in while the weather is nice, as well as the commiseration of dread for the coming winter downtime.
  3. The Fall weather seems to make the entire experience “crisper”. The stark, leafless trees contrasting against the asphalt of the winding road. The cool wind washing over you that brings your senses to full attention. The quiet that seems to dominate the woods sliced by your motor revving through gears.
  4. Finally, even when the day’s ride is done, there’s the feeling of having gone out and accomplished something, even if it was just to celebrate one last ride before the snows come. Passing by cars on the way to your home, there’s always the evil thought that you might be passing some rider who decided not to take advantage of the day, with the pleasant sensation that comes with knowing you did.