Drag coefficient

In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient (commonly denoted as: or ) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag. The drag coefficient is always associated with a particular surface area.

The drag coefficient of any object comprises the effects of the two basic contributors to fluid dynamic drag: skin friction and form drag. The drag coefficient of a lifting airfoil or hydrofoil also includes the effects of lift-induced drag. The drag coefficient of a complete structure such as an aircraft also includes the effects of interference drag.

WHAT does this have to do with ANYTHING ?!!!

Nothing... but it opens a short story,

Took my bike home from work yesterday,(between down-pours), The temp was in the 50's with a tad bit of moisture floating around, still, it was an enjoyable ride. Of course I have found that any ride that you can partake in when you are suppose to be at work...working, is enjoyable.

With all the snow we had this year the shed (my shed, where my bike lives in the warmer months) has been snowed in. As of late though the snow has begun to subside. So the shed is out of the snow, so is the driveway backup area it sits at. At this time I must tell you that the shed's outside dimensions are 9' x9' with a 8' ceiling height at it's lowest. This means that the motorcycle does not fit in straight. You have to attack the shed from the west, cut left into the shed then turn right in the shed which leaves the bike diagonal across the inside. Here is where the problem lies, west of the shed is a dirt driveway, actually it is more rutted yard than actual driveway, and that area is under the protection of two rather large trees, and the area is on the north side of the house, which means shaded...all the time. So picture a 1/2 acre of property with no snow anywhere except for a 25 foot wide strip running from the street to the backup area. The snow is still rather deep there with ice beneath.

This leaves me with two options in regards to parking the bike out of the weather, either drive in the driveway then do a manual back and forth shoving match in the mud to get the bike lined up for the shed door, OR, drive across the snow covered ice field. I chose the later. All went well, cut hard in the road to enter the snow and ice straight then cruise through the slime with your feet out as outriggers. As you progress forward the speed diminishes, so you have to compensate with throttle, not too much though or you change the bikes attitude of attack, you also spin tire which reduces forward thrust. About halfway across the bike is down to about 10 mph, the natural effects of gravity come into play as the 900lbs of bike begin to slow. You start noticing your knees are more bent then they were when you entered the snow field. the drag produced by the snow on the tires and the weight of the bike finally overcame the forward thrust, and once the bike came to a stop it sank up to the floorboards, Sitting on the bike I was reminded of the height of the V-Star I had. Now the tires are sitting on the ice below the snow so forward motion has become extremely difficult. So I got off the bike, without putting the kickstand down, (it is very hard to get the stand out when it is below the snows surface and has no room to extend. ) The funny thing was, it didn't matter, standing in front of the bike looking at it I wished I had my camera with me. There was the bike, standing straight up and down, running, partially buried in snow,just waiting for me to hop back on. If you took a photo of it it would look like it was cruising through the snow with no one on it.

Unlock the shed, swing the door wide, look at the ice and snow, hop on, feet out, rock the bike, crank the throttle and take off, back end kicking sideways, front wheel out of the snow and onto the ice sheet, cut hard left, front wheel slides along straight, front clears the ice and hits the mud, the bike drops to the right as the front hits resistance, rooster tail of snow, back of the bike slides right then hits the ice, lean with it, cut the throttle, bike straightens, angle with the shed perfect, crank the throttle, straighten the front, the back end clears the ice and drops into the mud, forward propulsion regained, bike surges forward through the shed door, instead of snow the rooster tail is now mud, the rear hits the door sill, instant grab traction, the bike leaps forward through the door, cut hard right, drop the throttle, grab the brakes. Perfectly parked. Almost wanted to do it again.

klay