Beneficial Crack

Along my commute there are variable pavement conditions.  I'll spare the detailed distress report, but this morning I was reminded why I like longitudinal cracks (those that run in the direction of travel).  Longitudinal cracks are great after a light rain. 

You see (indication I will now talk as an enginerd), roads are generally crowned at the centerline, forcing water to flow from the centerline to the gutter.  That means that half of the storm water falling on the road 'theoretically' flows across my wheel path to get to the gutter. 

Why do I care?  This means I get wet even though the rain stopped an hour ago.  (I'll now resist the temptation to discuss water surface friction, angular momentum, and projectile motion.)

Except...EXCEPT, when the water that is supposed to flow from the centerline is intercepted by longitudinal canyons cracks.  I think it is awesome to benefit from what I normally (during the day job) consider a detriment. 

Because on the curb-side of those cracks the water has already flowed toward the curb, and is thus dry enough for me to travel at regular speed without fear of road-grime attacking my feet and legs and bike and back.

In short:  Longitudinal Crack = No Racing Stripe