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.