When I don't commute by bike....

....it's like being in a rat race

Cobwebs form

A little quite around here the past week. There is a reason that will account for this.

First, after my close call on the fixie, I had a second encounter with a nasty grumpy driver. Apparently he didn't like that I was trying to use some of the same roadway as he was, and rubbed me out. An evasive move turned into a short cut, only to find myself in front of diggleberry, in a left had turning lane. Now, when you've got to make a left had turn, and there is a designated LH turning lane, there's not much you can do but be in said lane to make the turn. Even while on a bike.

After he was done playing chicken with me, and for some reason I wasn't scared, I turned around and motioned to the guy, "what are you doing?" Later on I met up with him at the next set of lights, where of course he was waiting. He rolled down the window and said he was going to call the police. As soon as those words came out of his mouth, his face changed, as he recognized me. I'd hired his company to do ninety thousand dollars worth of excavation work when the company I work for was building a new manufacturing facility. That was my project, and I personally signed his contract.

I told him that most certainly him calling the police was a great thing to do and that it would save me the hassle, and when they contact me, I'll let them know what actually happened. I thanked him for saving me the time, and called him by his name as I mentioned that he just picked up a stick that he will wish he had just left on the ground.

After a long morning of trying to get a hold of him (I continually got hotter and hotter as the day went on) I was unable to reach him. Finally I called his office and left a message that if I didn't here from him by the end of the day, I would go directly to the police, rather than listening to his side of the story first.

He called at about 5 am the next morning. He left a message as I was in the shower.

Now, I was in a much better head space at this time, and not mad in the least. I reflected on my situation and realized that indeed, I was alive and well. Sure he was pretending he was going to run me over, and in a sense messing with my very life, But, right now, I've got a day full of potential ahead of me, and he's still an asshole.

I opted out of taking further action, and resided my anger to replace it with something a little more productive. The fact of the matter is that the world is full of idiots. They're everywhere. What's more, you can't change that. No matter what. All you can do is decide how you will let these idiots affect your day. You are responsible for your actions, and dare I even say, your attitudes. Yes my friends, it's true. It's a terrible thing to let someone dictate that you are going to have a bad day.

Now, with that long winded account out of the way, the story to the title of this post is still to come. I haven't blogged here much lately, because I haven't been myself lately. I haven't been myself lately because I haven't ridden my bike lately. I haven't ridden my bike lately because of what you have just read.

Yes, I didn't think it would be true, but I do think that I am a little afraid. Two close calls in less than two weeks? Sad to say it, but I actually had to fill up my truck on the way to work this morning. We all succumb to actions and ideals created out of fear, and I just needed a little time away from the bike. That time is almost up.

Now, I miss it terribly, and it's nagging at me every time I put on my light, style-over-function jacket, instead of my not so trendy but warm northface. I look at my winter hat and gloves when I leave in the morning, and I wish I were putting them on. But I don't. I just head to work in my pickup.

Tomorrow we are heading to Great Falls MT for our annual shopping/pseudo-family reunion trip. I'm stoked to be getting away and we always love this trip.

I'm also looking forward to getting home, and riding my bike to work again.

Cheers.

Sun, Salsa and an old car

This past weekend was a great one. Spend the whole thing just hanging out with my family at various events. Love those kind of weekends. First, I put my 1965 Rambler Marlin in the Strathmore Fun Runners Show and Shine. My car isn't a hot rod or an incredible show car, but it is quite rare and a great driver. I figured this thing should be seen and enjoyed. Those who are automobile enthusiasts really enjoyed seeing the car and I was shocked to see people starring in the windows for several minutes, pointing out this and that. I even saw a few give me a vote for the best of the 60s. Didn't win, nor did I even think I would. I was just there for fun.

I also slapped a for sale sign on the car. I figured if there was a place to get some exposure, it was at a car show. I simply don't have time for this car, nor am I a hard-core Rambler/AMC guy. I've always wanted a classic car, and in a long sort of way, just kind of came into this car. After 3 years of not driving it enough, I thought I'd see if there was some interest out there. So far there's a bit. I think I'm gong to need to find someone who absolutely loves Ramblers and is looking specifically for a Marlin. There are less than 6000 of them still around today, so it's not like an old impala or something.

I ended up parking my car, walking around and checking out the others, and then took the boys fishing. The show was in a park in Strathmore that has a lake that is stocked with trout. We didnt' catch anything, but we had fun.

Sunday after church we headed to the Sun and Salsa festival as I mentioned earlier. Great weather. Hot, hot and not a cloud in the sky. Heaps of great Salsa to be had, unfortunately, we didn't get too much tasting in. The crowds were insane, and I really, really hate large crowds of people. That has something to do with our decision to move to a town of around 300 people. Not many large crowds where I'm from.
own Salsa. I hope to give round 1 a go the next evening or so.

Drove the Marlin to work again this morning and man does this thing get attention. A quick stop at Tim Hortons can turn into a mini history lesson in American Automobile History very quickly. And it's not my doing. I just answer the questions that are thrown out there. Good fun though.

BTW, the trunk would fit a Tikit quite nicely.

Buying a car is an eco-option?

Well sometimes. I (sadly) bought a car last week. Now, I own 4 motorized vehicles. Pathetic isn't it. I justify them like this:

• Minivan - for obvious reasons. Especially when baby # 3 arrives. Not much else will do.
• Pickup Truck - For home renovations and my business
• 1965 Rambler Marlin - This is just plain cool. Plus, it's a piece of history.
• Cavalier - I bought this to offset the fuel consumption that is at a preposterous level from my 6.0 liter, 4X4 3/4 pick up truck.

While many people are giving up their cars altogether and reaching for their bikes, I still reach for my bike, but I've also reached for a car. Mileage, mileage, mileage. I will end up using roughly 1/3 the gas I would use if I continued to use my truck. While I will still ride my bike as much as possible, days when I've got soccer and night and can't afford a 1 1/2 hour commute, I'll be driving the car. It's nice to know that I'll be driving something that doesn't have such a monstrous carbon footprint. Add to that the cost savings of driving a small car, and it's a no-brainer.