Month: August 2015

Quite some time ago, I wrote a piece criticizing what I called the arrogant attitudes of serious bicyclists – how they ride in the lane, forcing cars to make dangerous forays into opposing lanes and how they were notoriously unfriendly to passing, not-so-serious riders. I received a very wise and well-written reply to that post, educating me to the true perils of road bike riding and the necessary intensity with which all riders must proceed.

Hmm – more than a year later … I am still a backyard variety bicyclist, yet in the past week, I have been almost clobbered twice. And it was close – cars careening to stops at the end of residential streets and somehow missing a full view of what was in front of them. In both cases I actually slammed my hand on the cars, while screaming about their stupidity, carelessness, don’t-you-know-you-almost-killed-someone, and so on.

Fortunately, in both cases, my trusted sixth-sense kicked in and I knew what they were going to do before they did it.

In today’s world of seriously distracted driving, bicycling is an ever more perilous sport. Serious or casual riders, we simply must follow the rules for safe riding and not complain about any bicyclists with whom we share the roads.

P.S. – Wear a helmet. I had mine on (always!)

I recently realized I had entered ‘seniorhood’ when:

• The ‘man’ who came to fix the furnace looked like he was 16
• Every Peanut Butter M&M I eat adds a pound to my middle
• No matter what the exercise and/or diet, the middle has decided to take up permanent residency
• What was it you said to me 10 minutes ago?
• My legs have taken on the role of roadmap – they can get you anywhere – in the world!!
• I go to bed at nine o’clock and wake up at 2 for a rendezvous with a Peanut Butter M&M (just one, of course)
• What was it you said to me 5 minutes ago?
• The dust on my desk is high enough to use as a wrist rest when I’m typing on my computer
• I always have to call my son for instructions on loading/deleting apps on my smart phone.
• I come to meetings with my trusty desktop DayTimer while everyone else has Ipads and notebook computers, nary a pen to be found (except mine, of course!)
• I am a very vocal advocate for fine penmanship while many young kids don’t have a clue how to write in cursive.
• What was it you just said to me?

Anyone want to add anything?