I’m not the kind to complain…really. But there’s been something about this week that has crawled under my skin and has been wanting to erupt like an Alien from my gut. For the sake of this blog I’ll censor my language and keep it bike related.
Monday. On top of hearing of Sheldon Brown’s passing, I was tired and riding home alone…another cold, grey Seattle bike ride. My motivation was low and my thoughts yelled at me to get a new Ipod (a pox on those thieves!). I settled into my ‘get home’ cadence, and hung my head just low enough so I could see 15 feet in front of my front tire. I wasn’t paying any attention to my surroundings until I came upon the yellow jacket who thought he was wearing the Maillot jaune. It must have been the sparkle of my Chrome seatbelt buckle that set him off, because once he caught a glimpse of me in his helmet mirror…it was on. For the next 10 miles he was working his shifter like the throttle on a Kawasaki, and constantly looking over his shoulder to see if he dropped me on the straights. I’ll admit I giggled at the sight but all I wanted to do was get to my decrepit Hooverville home and get ready to see the Editors that nite. Not be challenged by some guy thinking he was the ‘tete de Course’ and couldn’t be passed on his way home. Ugh…do we always have to be so competitive?
Today. Rode in alone…again. (do I smell bad these days?) I decided to change up my route and get some new scenery. I should have known when the first 5 stoplights all turned RED that some greater cosmic being was trying tell me to avoid this path. 6 more red lights, a huge Detour, an old lady sitting in a coffee stand (rather than my beloved Cowgirls), and every Tom Cruise driver playing ‘buzz the tower’ with their passenger mirror I was questioning my choice. However, these items are pretty mundane for the everyday commuter. The thing that got to me was when I pulled into this brand new Earthy market to get lunch for the day.
Parking lot…huge.Food selection…organic and grain fed.
Lighting…efficient.
Staff…crunchy.
Bicycle parking…non existent.
This felt a little hypocritical on their part. Sure, encourage us to purchase and eat everything that is sustainable, free of toxins and all around better for the environment while we load your canvas shopping bags into your Range Rover. Double Ugh.
Can’t wait to see what’ll happen on my ride home tonite.
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2 comments:
You don't smell...I am just sleeping in way too much!!!
Wait till Thursday - my bike will be strapped to me and I will be by your side.
It is on!
I've had an equally crumby week out here on the East Coast. I don't have the option of commuting and and trying to find time to ride these days hasn't been easy.
I was in such a foul mood last night that I really didn't feel like riding at all. But at some point I concluded that I just to needed to spend some time on the trainer and I'd feel a little better. But when I got down to the basement I realized the place was total disaster from all the work I've been doing down there. But instead of giving up for good, I decided to go for a night ride outside. And so I grabbed my lights, bundled up, and headed out into the dense fog. And it was definitely the right decision and it probably saved me from totally losing it!
But then on my way home, Mr. Joe Fixed Gear blows by me, just so he can sit in front of me. I speed up, he speeds up. I ease left, he eases left. At first I'm itching to blow by him, and stare him down like I'm Bernard Hinault or something . . . but then I said, "you know what, I'm not going to let this guy ruin the only thing that's gone well this week. He can have it." And just as I'm finishing that thought, Mr. Joe Fixed gear turns right and in a moment he's lost forever in the thick fog.
A lesson from the cycling gods I think
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