Not really the alley of doom, but just the alley of "what kind of fool are you to think it's OK to ride your motorcycle down that?"

Here's a snapshot of my alley as we face south. I chose that route because heading north is downhill, and whatever melts creates a big ice delta on that end. The bit of the picture between the garbage cans is where the Valkyrie got stuck last night. It doesn't look like much, but the tire ruts are three or four inches deep, usually filled with backed-up water, and the slush is likewise as deep. Easily enough to trap a tire.

The big groove in the middle, heading to the left (as we look here) is the groove the back tire dug as it pushed through the slush. This morning it's solid, though. The really shiny bits, like just to the left of that closer garbage can, are ice-topped puddles of tire trapping; a definite hazard.

Not that they're doing it out of any sort of malice or carelessness, but it's just where my neighbors drive most as they use their garages.

A little tire-shy of another sticky experience, and a little uncertain as to how sturdy the previously slushy parts are, I decided to head the other direction. The bulk of the alley was "normal" and not slushy, but the last houses' worth at the end, and into the street, was solid smooth, hockey-rink quality ice. OK, maybe a few more warbles than a hokey rink might allow. I sputtered slowly, feet on the ground until I hit dry pavement in the middle of the street, then continued without additional event.

I think I'll try to get home a little earlier, before dark, to help avoid ice pitfalls.