What a Pile of Crap

After a little over a year of bicycle commuting I feel that I have experience most of the ordeals that other commuters have.  Today was something new, and certainly more rare than a close buzz, blaring horn or middle finger.  

A segment of my commute is along a MUP which is separated from a sidewalk by about three feet.  I am not really sure on the rules regarding who uses what, but I ride on the MUP because it is smooth and the sidewalk is your typical sidewalk.  It seems that runners, baby mamas equipped with stollers, kids, dog walkers, a high school track team and the local power company all opt for the MUP as well.  I understand that the sidewalk is in need of repair but it is usable.  Even when I let people know I am coming through they choose to stand in the grass on either side of the MUP rather than continue forward progress on the sidewalk.

The source of my beef today stems from the nice family walking their possible Lab/Rott mix breed.  More specifically it was their negligence to pick up the giant turd the dog left steaming between the MUP and sidewalk.  There is a remote possibility they are innocent of this assault on my bike, but they are the prime suspects.

As I was approaching I started to assume that since they had stopped and shortened the leash it would be I who was going to move to the dreaded sidewalk.  I slowed my steed a bit and steered into the grass and onto the sidewalk so I could safely pass.  After everyone was in the clear I decided to cross back over to the MUP and that is when I got my surprise.

It was one of those situations where things seem to go in slow motion as impending doom gets closer.  When I saw that pile it was too late and I just couldn't seem to avoid it.  As as afterthought I believe I could have, but it was a case of the bike going where the eyes are looking.  Immediately after impact I wish I had fenders because the feces flung up onto my bike, my legs and my backpack.  The last thing I wanted to do tonight was clean my bike.  Cleaning my clothes was inevitable, but the bike I could have done without.

My tires, wheels, frame and drive train seem to be good to go now and I am grateful that was only my first run-in with such an issue.  Hopefully I will not have to deal with that kind of smell all the way home anytime soon.

Refreshing... and Tiring

My favorite part of the day, without question, is when I am riding my bicycle to work.  First I have to get past the part that I have to wake up much earlier than I would if I was driving.  After my morning hygiene routine I have to deal with all the small details.  Pack the lunch, double check that I am bringing all the clothes I need, functionality check on the bike, walking the dog, etc.  Then, finally, I get to pedal off.

Once I am on my way to work I always feel relieved, refreshed, energetic, you name it.  There is no television in the background, no text messages or phone calls to worry about and no clients breathing down my neck.  It is just the machine and I doing our thing.  I suppose the lack of television noise is replaced by the wind, the phone is replaced by honks and impatient clients are replaced by drive-by F-Bombs, but when I am riding my bike it does not get to me.

Upon arriving at work the sunshine quickly gives to rain clouds.  It usually starts with an innovative "Hey, Lance Armstrong, whats up?" and the four or five times I hear "How far did you have to ride today?" or "Isn't it dangerous to be riding your bike on the street?".  I guess in a way it is cool having people being interested in the fact that I ride my bike to work, but I really don't want to talk about it every day.  I'm no Lance Armstrong, I don't do drugs.  I never give a straight answer as to how far I ride because it doesn't really matter and riding a bike on the road, for some people, is probably far less dangerous compared to how they drive.

I know you are thinking, "But this has to have a good ending, there is still a bike ride home."  Once I am out of work I am tired.  I solved client's problems all day while mine stacked up.  There are times when I don't even feel like changing my clothes again and just want to ride home in what I am wearing.  As convenient as that sounds my body would be hating me within minutes.  The ride home is enjoyable, sure, but it doesn't have the feel that it had in the morning.  It is a stress reliever in which the issues of the day fade away and I get to clear my mind.  If only riding home felt like less of a chore.