Commuting Tips

Well if blogging is writing about what you know. I better start with driving to Nipissing because I know driving to Nipissing, and my wisdom can totally help all those other townies, that aren't really townies, get to school on time. I've traveled to North Bay at least 200 times since I started going to Nipissing, and I know; the way the stream of traffic flows in the morning, where all the massive puddles are on the highway after it rains (Like today! It's almost February and the road hazards went from black ice to hydroplaning!), and I know that the buses are turning down Fisher or Cassels at 8:15 in the morning, so don't get behind them!

Okay so the first thing you need to know is that there is always major puddles/possibly ice along the left side of the highway starting at the bottom of the small hill going into North Bay on Highway 11. This is just before the speed turns from 100km/h to 80km/h (both of these speeds are obviously suggestive when you're running late), so get in the right lane before the bottom of the hill. Now usually people stay in the left lane because cars are yielding onto Highway 11 from (I think it's) Highway 17 (coming from Mattawa or Corbeil). Getting into the left lane might seem like a good idea, but don't! Stay in the right lane. Now it's understandable that you will need to pass a few people if you enter the right lane from the bottom of the hill to avoid the water hazards, but the only thing you have to worry about is being in the right lane before the traffic comes to a stand still. Now I don't actually know where all these people are going, but about 50% of people coming into North Bay turn right on Seymour(checking out Fannies before a hard day at work, possibly?). Now stay in the right lane until you get to the Fisher lights. Once the light turns green, or by some miracle of god you get green already, change to the left lane for the remainder of your trip through North Bay. Once at Algonquin you can turn right and go up Tebow hill or proceed through the lights till Gormanville. I personal like to turn right because it's an easy transition onto Algonquin because a new lane is created just for you, which you can ride all the way up Tebow hill, and turn on Cedar Heights (The road with Mr Gas on the corner).

The major bonus of this route is that you don't have to wait for all those poor saps that haven't read my blog and are waiting to turn left, as we can simple make our right hand turn onto the campus.

Now please keep in mind that there are many things that could slow you down when taking this route. On obvious one would be that it's not between 7:30-9:00 in the morning; otherwise, the traffic flow would most definitely change. The second and one that is always unpredictable would be slow courteous drivers. These types always let people in when they're coming to a yield section, and please I know it's alot of responsibility, but the oncoming traffic will manage to merge with you. You just need to trust them, and I totally agree with letting one person go in front of you if traffic is at a stand still, but don't slow down to do it. Mind reading is not a prerequisite for getting your license so please follow the signs posted... The last and probably the most important crux to my route would be to not follow in the same lane as transports or big trucks. There slow and the best use for them through town would be to get ahead of them to conduct an easy lane change.

Another useful tool would be to crank Faction on the satellite radio just as the traffic starts to slow entering town. Just trust me. Okay I have no idea how helpful this was, but your welcome.
Safe Driving.