Getting out on my bike was great today. I started out poorly, but finally got my legs before the turnaround. It was hot and humid, but I am not complaining. I had been feeling fatigued from work….or lack of sleep….or all that physical distancing. I thought I was handling the whole “lockdown” thing well, but I can see it is starting to feel like a real burden. I hadn’t been on my bike lately, and I am glad I finally took the opportunity to get outside.
It would be easy to say riding my bike was Today’s Perfect Moment, but there are a few others–perhaps a little more subtle, and definitely a bit more specific–that more truly deserve the honour.
The first is that I passed a couple going the other way about five kilometres from the turnaround. That put them about ten kilometres ahead of me. I caught up to them at about the three quarters mark. They might have stopped for break, or they might not have. I shouldn’t have been so competitive, but that’s what they get for not acknowledging my friendly wave on the way out.
The other is getting the bike up to almost 60kms an hour. It is always fun when the bike is really moving. It was just after a slight downhill and I used the momentum from the descent and my leg power to get me up to speed.
Other thoughts.
When I finally caught up to the couple I mentioned before, I was in a bit of a quandry. I knew I was going to overtake them, but I wondered how I could do it and still keep physical distance. If the road was clear, that wouldn’t be a problem. However, we were in an area of heavier traffic and I couldn’t count on that. It is kind of like when I go shopping and don’t want to approach anyone. Luckily for me they made a left turn as I caught up. I was going straight and they had taken up residence in the left turn lane.
Only a few of the cyclists I encountered acknowledged my wave. While this isn’t a big deal, it sort of is. I consider it politeness, and part of cycling etiquette. One of the best things about cycling is the camaraderie I feel out there. When people disregard it, or (giving them the benefit of the doubt) are unaware of it, I feel a bit sad.
I also really miss group rides. Thanks to liability and insurance issues, the club can’t meet. Probably groups of riders are getting together anyway, but since I am not in tight with so many people in the group, I don’t want to be a party-crasher. I just miss the motivation of a group ride. I also miss drafting behind Big John–but who wouldn’t.
You can’t beat a ride for putting the world to rights! In urban areas, you only see single riders but once you get up in the hills, it’s obvious people are riding in small groups of twos and threes as part of a larger group. The prefet and maire are members of our club so we’re very much abiding by the distancing rules, to do otherwise would be a huge embarrassment.
I noticed a long time ago that those bikers w-
I noticed a long time ago that bikers wearing spandex and donning helmets are not the friendliest bunch. Many are offended that I don’t do what they do, or dress like they dress. Not a big deal for me but it seems to be to them.
It’s odd. Here, the ones in the spandex and helmets (which includes me) are the friendly ones….usually. Actually, the clubs in the local area are friendliest. The ones from the city are a little colder.