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.
Gear update: while in Great Falls, I found a great deal on some Ergon GP1s. I had a set of these babies on my snow bike, and forgot to swap them out when I sold it. That was my first experience with the GP1, and oddly enough, they came on a bike of a guy who was sponsored by Ergon. Dave Nice.
I had thought that set up would be a progression of tweaking mid ride, and it still may be, but form my initial time spent holding onto these things, the just feel good. On a flat bar, I would highly recommend these grips, or even similar designed ones, over standard round grips. These just feel so much better. The pressure on your hands is noticeably spread out over a much larger contact patch and result is great. Two thumbs up for sure.
Riding a bike every day, is a grand thing. Some rides are short, some are long, but the fact that I am now getting out a least for a bit everyday is fantastic. Since I’ve moved to Strathmore, I’ve commuted to work by bike every day. Mmm, mmm good.
I was glad I had the fendered Trucker today. I do hate getting a dirt spray line on up my back.
We recycle plastic bags in the lunch room at work. I tagged into the stash and protected my B-17, as well as my tool roll. Worked quite well.
Anyone can ride a bike in the nice sunshine, but a commuter rides in all weather. Mmmm, good times.
Switching up between the fixie and the Trucker. All good times. I (heart) riding my bike every day.
