We’ve had suggestions a couple of times to add a polling feature to the website to see what the buggy fans of the world think about different issues. Thursdays are pretty slow in the buggy news cycle since any drama from the weekend’s rolls has played out, but the next weekend of rolls is still days away. So, from now until raceday, we’ll post a poll each Thursday. Feel free to discuss the poll and suggest interesting future questions in the comments.
Today’s poll: Temperature. It’s not the juiciest topic ever, but it is pressing. Pittsburgh’s January-best is currently threatening to cancel the second weekend of scheduled rolls this year just by being cold. A few years ago, sweepstakes seemed to be cancelling for anything below freezing and there were cries of “wimps!” from the alumni who remembered toughing it out in all conditions. We had some of the debate here last year. So, what do you think, how cold is too cold for rolls?
Click through to vote in the poll or see the results
At what temperature should sweepstakes cancel rolls?
- Never - If the road is dry, real teams roll (20%, 9 Votes)
- 25° F (18%, 8 Votes)
- 20° F - FYI the avg. low temp in pgh is 22 for Jan/Feb (18%, 8 Votes)
- 32° F - When water freezes, I stay indoors (16%, 7 Votes)
- 30° F (11%, 5 Votes)
- 50° F - I only push in shorts (7%, 3 Votes)
- 10° F (5%, 2 Votes)
- 40° F (2%, 1 Votes)
- 15° F (2%, 1 Votes)
Total Voters: 44
Alex says:
Something important we should consider/note here, is this “temperature” is at what time? Because I voted for 30F, but I would say 30F at like 4am or so, where it would probably/hopefully warm up some by the time rolls actually start.
Also, website issue: Using Chrome the poll didn’t work on the front page, I had to click through to the post to get the vote widget to work.
Sam Swift says:
I don’t know about that warming up theory. I think usually the coldest point of the day is somewhere in the hour after sunrise. When I look at buggy forecasts, I always assume the low will be right while I’m standing in the chute.
I noticed that issue too, but I thought I was imagining it since it worked 1 click later. It’s actually a pretty annoying thing to troubleshoot since it only displays the ballot once. I’ll encourage people to click through to the post for now. thanks for noting it though.
bordick says:
Are you kidding me? The driver is in the buggy for 5 minutes. The mechanics can dress like Ralphie’s little brother from “A Christmas Story” and pushers hang out indoors until push time.
20 Degrees.
Anonymous says:
The main reason I voted 25 is that, sure I’m in a buggy and its no that cold, and the mechanics and pushers might be willing to brave colder weather, but at a certain point the buggy just fogs up too much. Having to defog twice while just sitting on Hill 1 or 2 waiting to roll usually means the buggy is going to keep trying to fog up while I’m trying to drive. Essentially, I can deal with driving in just about any weather, but only if I can still see while I’m doing it.
Anonymous says:
Fogged windscreen?
Try a breathing tube that vents elsewhere.
ab says:
I’m 99% sure that the last comment was made by Abby
bordick says:
What is the deal with cancelling rolls for snow prior to Sat AM? Is there really too much now left over on the road to roll? Break out some shovels! Take the time on Saturday to shovel out your line so you can at least roll on Sunday.
Very weak.
Sam Swift says:
Nah, this was very legit. Campus wasn’t even open until thursday. There are 15ft tall piles of snow everywhere they plowed it to which includes all along the line in the early freeroll, and most problematically right in the middle of the chute line. Sweepstakes has already mentioned shoveling for this coming weekend, but I’m honestly not sure that’s even plausible. It also snowed a bit again friday and saturday this week. Plus, I think these cancellations seem worse than they are since this weekend or next is the earliest rolls have even been scheduled in the last 10 years.