Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Landshark is afraid of water

Specifically rainwater.  It's raining heavily.  I was a little too correct with my choice of "The Landshark" for a name.  It does not like the water and conked out in the rain.  I hoped I had just blown a relay or fuse in the wet. Sadly no. Something has affected the alternator and the battery is dead.  If only the battery had died in a parking lot.  Unfortunatley it died while driving.  This is an interesting experience.  The headlights get dimmer and dimmer, the wipers slow down and then, the engine stops firing correctly coughs and sputters to a halt.  

By the time this had occured, I was still doing 30 trying to spot the sholder through a rain soaked windshield no longer serviced by my wipers.  I thought about it, switched relays and gave the key a turn.  Sadly nothing happened.  I gave the engine some time to dry out.  Still nothing.  At this point, I called Roadside Assistance, thankfully I had one flashing bar of battery left on my phone making the automated phone menu of my insurance especially enjoyable.  The battery held out, the tow truck arrived and the Landshark is now parked in front of the house.  

Hopefully the rain will stop and the electrical problem will have dried out by morning.  I still think I'll be riding the bike to work.