Beltway Area Indymedia

was wondering why it was so difficult to ride a bike in this hot and nasty weather. Well, satellite photos of the East Coast show a nasty cloud of smoke and haze over a large part of the East Coast.

Ozone alone read 121 yesterday for DC, yet the papers spoke only of Code Orange level alerts. There is fine particulates(smoke) and all thiat shit from coal-burning power plants upwind as well to deal with.

If you look at the photo, DC is on the edge of this "system" of unnatural weather, but we are none the less under it and being hit. This damed thing is so big it looks almost like a hurricane!

A "temerature inversion" is being blamed for the intense pollution, as the high pressure air is capped by warmer air on top, keeping pollutants from being dispersed. Meanwhile high tremperatures and summer sun cook hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides into ozone, while high electrical demand pushes coal burning power plants to the max.

These temperature inversions have long been the cause of smog alerts and many deaths since the coal and oil ages began.

OK, they say not to drive, but they also say not to bike or walk! Meanwhile the Red Line shuts down for a "suspicious package." What do they expect people to do? Transit in this area needs to improve, it needs to allow bikes at all times,
and something needs to be done NOW about the diversion of transit subsides to more highway building, more new suburbs, and more cars.

Meanwhile, biking in this shit is like riding through a wall of hot jelly while your lungs tighten up and feel sore, and your body temperature soars until you have to take breaks in the shade that can consume ten minutes apiece!