Although if things are gonna be Crazy, now's the time I guess. I hope any and all weirdos still reading this blog are doing all right and have not been dealt anything too painful in this strange time.
Strange indeed, but in some ways not so bad. Putting a kink in our constant rush to consume is not an entirely bad thing. I've also read some good stuff about reduced pollution and rebounding species. While I strongly suspect a rest is not as good as a change in these areas, good news is still good news, you know.
I have perceived one other positive change, but I need to check with you to see if I'm imagining it. I think people, learning to change their ways and maintain distance in public, on the sidewalk, in stores etc., are doing it with their cars while passing me on my bike. Is it all in my head, or is social distancing translating into more considerate drivers? Perhaps less traffic just means more room to give me room, but I like to think it is an actual change in driving behaviours brought about, by all things, a virus. If true, how wonderful would it be if it became a good habit that stuck? A man can dream, right?
In other good news, geese still like hissing at me:
I don't have good video to show it, but I have also learned that a "honk" from my disc brakes (they are rather honky) will make a whole gaggle of geese look up at the same moment like a bunch of meerkats.
With a bunch of fuzzy goslings around in the last couple months it has been fun and adorable.
I've been working this whole time and commuting on bike path and street as usual. When I come across another person on the path, I give them a wide berth by hugging the extreme edge of the asphalt or go out on the grass when necessary or if it might help them feel more at ease with my presence, especially if they're old. As these two approached, I kept waiting for them to go single file:
As you can see, they did not and I did not like it, particularly because like it or not, I'm pretty old looking with my extra weight and mostly grey beard. I even sigh like an old man at the end, sounding just like my dear departed dad.This is just one example of close passing by cyclists that has happened several times at time of writing. So, short version, I think cars are giving me enough space while some cyclists are not. It is most definitely an upside-down kind of time.
Be Safe and Stay Well,
R A N T W I C K 
7 comments:
Good to see you back on here.
I quit riding the trail segment on my commute because the surge of outdoor exercise brought on by the pandemic radically increased the traffic on a path already very badly designed. At the best of times there is not enough room to pass safely, let alone when your breath is weaponized. So I went back to my old meandering route out of town. It's longer, with some awkward hills, but in some ways less stressful than dealing with the hairy eyeball I get from pedestrians on the trail. The hills are awkward because they're between gears for me. I shift up and down, alternating between spinning a little slowly or pushing a little harder than I'd like. It takes its toll by the end of the week.
Bike shops were declared essential, so we never fully closed. Now we're doing contact commerce, but we enforce strict protective measures. Some people get pissed and leave. Good riddance. Official infection numbers remain low around here, but we're not giving way to the false sense of security that seems to have infected so many people around us. We're just waiting for the shit to hit the fan.
Stay well and have fun.
Hey 'fiend, thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I'm glad I don't have members of the public to deal with in my job. I know waiting for normal to return is tedious, but can't understand this false sense of security in so many, as you say. I do see being able to continue working as a great blessing, so long as it can be done safely.
Uptick in cycling on our MUPs translates into close calls, exactly like your video. I ride them during off peak hours. Yes, cars seem to give a wider berth when passing, but this time of year windows are down. Already we are seeing more cars on the road.
=)
Annie and John, thanks for commenting! I'm shocked and happy that anyone still reads this thing :)
I hope it will be a while before you rejoin your dear departed dad. I've been eagerly counting the days until I saw another Rantwick post, or at least occasionally checking my own "Recent Blog Updates" column.
Steve! Eagerly counting the days! I love you man. ;)
Post a Comment