Topsy-turvy only figuratively speaking
The bad:
I was coming down a relatively narrow-laned arterial with a 35 mile/hour
speed limit. Since I'm only on it for 8 blocks and it's downhill and
therefore my speed is in excess of 25, I don't feel that bad about using it.
But some Gonad-Brain spent time honking, yelling, and gesticulating at me,
with the main focus being that I should be on the sidewalk (at 30 mph, yeah
right) rather than just passing me like everyone else. It is *so
pathetically easy* to fall into anger and fear when people do that. Feh.
Later, after running an errand in the CD, I decided to come into downtown on
James. Man, that's one steep street. You cross 8 topo lines in two blocks.
The ground was wet. I was braking pretty strongly as it was, and then I both
hit a bump and the cars in front of me suddenly hit their brakes. I started
to skid out, and I thought I'd hit either the pavement or one of the cars
ahead. Somehow, I managed to right the bike, slow down appropriately, and
continue down the hill, but it was very scary.
The good:
After dealing with Mr. Gonad-Brain, while at the bottom of the hill in the
left-turn pocket, a older woman in a car idling next to me at the light gave
me a friendly smile, twice. I figured she was sent by God to be remind me
that most people are nice, and not like Mr. G-B.
I rode for a bit with someone I've ridden with before -- he's got a 20 mile
commute from Renton. It's always convivial to ride with others, even for
just a few miles.
The good and the bad: I yelled a hi to Dane. We were both late, so no time
to chat, (bad) but it's always pleasant to see a friendly face (good).
--
Warm Regards,
Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
Sponsor me for the Big Climb! See: www.active.com/donate/cpetersky06
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