[Kool-Aid]

Okay, who was it? =)

For the past couple weeks, I've seen a very shiny, red 2004+ ST going the other way on I405. I think it has been the same rider and it's occurred a few times now in the morning and afternoon commutes.

For a while there, I was seeing Butcher regularly on his blue ST2 or 748. Not lately.

And, just this morning, there was a red 2003 or older ST going north on I405. I waved just north of Totem Lake.

Have a good one.

If you see me rolling around, I'm red 2003, but will have either a gray touring jacket on, or a bright ass orange textile on. Usually 167/405 auburn to bellevue commute.

As summer is over the bright textile is going in the closet and some heated gear will be in order...oh...and a bright orange vest as Thursday was the first day I've had someone pull out in front of me in the carpool. As pissed as I was, it was a landscape truck and trailer....he probably never even saw me.

 

[Kool-Aid]

I can't agree more about the landscape trucks in the carpool lane.

As for the hot lanes....here's my take as a motorist (not motorcyclist). I use them. I have a 30 mile commute in some of the worst traffic in the state 167 to 405. Any more if I'm in the truck, I just pay the money for the 405 intersection down to the off ramp in Auburn. It costs me a few extra bucks, but well worth it to shorten my commute.

Now, there are pros/cons for them on a bike. First it doesn't cost me anything, so there's no argument there. It increases carpool useage, but really it's a minimal amount. I don't know if it's the economy or what, but its not like the carpool lane is over run by single occupants that are paying the extra fee. And that's a judgement call, but I think I'm correct. You can see a flashing light at each toll sensor flash if the good to go pass is being used.

Here's the big pro/con. Entry/Exit areas. Meaning double white means you can't just "jump" into the car pool lane. This is great because you don't have to worry about cars jumping into the lane while you're on your bike. Then the con side....there's always some a**hole that jumps the double white. And it's that false sense of security that's going to catch someone off guard.