Thursday Musette

This was taken on my front porch yesterday afternoon.

First, a word about bicycle commuting! I've seen the same commuter several times in the morning, and it's painfully obvious that he's terrified of riding in traffic. Yet, like many fearful cyclists, he does things that may appear to be safer than riding in the travel lane, but in reality just make life more difficult for himself and the rest of us on the road.

I first saw him riding south along Mingo Road. He was in the right hand lane. I would be turning right at the south gate to the maintenance base. I slowed and tucked in behind him at a safe distance. To my surprise, he turned right at the gate, then turned left across the entrance just about where a pedestrian crosswalk would be. At the other side of the exit road, he turned twice again, looked over his shoulder for southbound traffic, and went back into the travel lane!

I muttered - okay - I yelled inside the car with the windows up - "Thou lumpish half-faced horn-beast!" or something similarly Olde English and Anglo-Saxonish. (My thanks to Chris Seildel and the Shakespearean Insult Generator for technical assistance.)

I saw him again this week, trying to cross the entrance at the main gate right before 6AM when the whole world is trying to get through that gate. Traffic arrives from north, south, and east - almost all of it turning west. My hapless commuter cyclist jumped the curb and punched the pedestrian crossing button. He wanted to go south across the gate entrance and continue south on Mingo but heavy traffic prevented him crossing like a pedestrian. Had he taken a place in the travel lane and waited his turn like any other traffic, he would have been under way in a minute or two.

I really want to catch up with this guy and give him my business card. He needs a mentor.

...

Have I mentioned that it's stinkin' hot? Oh, I have. There's an endless week of 100+ temperatures ahead. My grass is a nice brown color that crackles like potato chips when I walk on it. I'm worried about the trees, though. There's a redbud around the side. An oak tree stands over the south side of the driveway while a pine guards the north. The pine is shedding needles like crazy.

I had an idea to get water to the roots. I punched a couple of small holes in the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket and placed it next to each tree, filling the bucket repeatedly through the evening. The oak had about 25 gallons tonight and the pine has had 10 so far. The water trickles out the bottom of the bucket, soaking into the ground with minimal evaporation. I hope it's effective.

...

I was doing a mod on a computer at work. This one is extensive. It called for the replacement of 6 SRAM chips - static random access memory - and they're kind of a PITA to do. One is nearly touching the lock bar that holds the card in place and it's neighbor is tight up against it, so there's mechanical disassembly to do. Then the card goes onto a hot air desoldering stage. It's cleaner and less stressful than cutting the ICs. After cleaning, the new ICs get soldered in place. They have J-leads that turn under the IC body, and combined with the tight quarters make soldering a pain too.

I thought I had it right when I finished and hooked it up to the test station. As it turned out, I'd managed to solder most of the chips in correctly, only missing a couple of joints.

It's entirely possible for a computer to develop Tourette's syndrome.

I learn something new every day.

This is awful!

Yesterday, I received the results of last week's blood test from my annual physical. Let's see, the triglycerides were elevated. My bad cholesterol was too much and my good cholesterol too little. Actually, they've been about the same for the last ten years, but my doctor wasn't so concerned that he'd put me on medication. He recommended that perennial favorite - diet and exercise! It must be one of the first things they teach in doctor school. Too fat? Diet and exercise. Too tired? Diet and exercise. Flat feet? You get the idea.

Seriously, one of my biggest concerns was the occasional dizzy spell from the blood pressure meds I've been taking. He said my BP is fine, and actually a bit low, so he reduced the dosage and switched to one that doesn't have a diuretic. Dang! There's goes my second career as a fireman!

But wait. He did tell me to exercise, didn't he? So this afternoon I dragged the dusty Centurion out of the garage, pumped up the tires, and took off for a short ride with cobwebs fluttering from the spokes. And believe me, it was a short ride.

There's a flattish loop just up the hill. It's maybe a mile and a quarter around. I managed it once, just once, and cruised on home. That means I traveled less than 2 miles and I was hurting. Oh, the knee is fine. My quads were burning and I was breathing hard. I'm really out of shape!

Also, there was some....interference....between my butt and the Brooks saddle, partly due to wearing boxer shorts and partly due to my advanced case of monkey butt. But for every problem there's a solution, and in this case it's Anti-Monkey-Butt Powder. I've gotta get me some of that stuff, if only to leave it in plain sight on my toolbox.

Before plunging into regular bike commuting again, I'm going to work up some fitness by doing laps near the house. That way, if I do have problems, I'll be within limping distance of home.

Wells Lamont 'SUG' Sport Utility Gloves

(All photos from CycleDog. Some rights reserved under a Creative Commons license.)

I wrote the following three paragraphs to customer service at Wells Lamont.

I bought a pair of SUG high visibility gloves for bicycle commuting. These have a reflective patch on the back and I've found that very useful as I ride to work before dawn. By rolling my wrist, I produce a 'flashing' turn signal. You should market these to bicycle shops.



Unfortunately, I wore a hole in the forefinger of one glove while replacing a drive belt in my car. I'm not complaining! Sure, the glove was damaged, but my finger was fine. I'll take that trade.



And I'll be going up to Atwoods for another pair later this week. You have a good product that offers good value for the price.

Here's their response two days later.

Thank you for your email. Your suggestion to market our gloves to bicycle shops is a good one!

Wells Lamont takes great pride in providing high quality gloves for our loyal consumers - we are delighted to hear your positive feedback. 

If at anytime you have a question concerning our gloves, please contact us
http://www.wellslamont.com/contactus.tpl . 

Thank you for your interest in Wells Lamont gloves - we look forward to meeting your needs for premium quality work and garden gloves. 

Does a Fat Cyclist jersey make me look fat?

A local television station shot this last spring. The telephoto lens makes it look like traffic is fairly heavy, but in reality it's not. The low angle shot, however, makes me look kinda fat. Not that it's a bad thing, you know.

The interview was longer, of course. It's unfortunate that I didn't get in anything about vehicular cycling, although the lane positioning is very good. What might appear as a quick head check is actually me spitting downwind - a critical skill for any cyclist.

Oh, and that is a Fat Cyclist jersey. Fritz over on Cyclelicious gave it to me!

Bicycle Commuter Benefit Signed Into Law

Now, remember, you read it here...um...second.

Fritz has the whole bill on Cyclelicious.

Bicycle commute clothing: A response for Buji

(Image from Technology in Australia, a photomicrograph of a wool fiber.)

(When I started writing this back at the beginning of August, daytime temperatures here were at or above 100F every day. In the last week we've had some rain and the resulting cloudy days have reduced temperatures to 'only' 90F or so. Believe me, that feels like relief!)

Bujiatang left a comment on "Wednesday Musette":

I was wondering if I could ask a bit of advice myself about commuting.

I wear cotton boxers and the weather in Minnesota has been a bit hot and muggy too.

do you suggest a different garment? A better fabric?

any advice is appreciated.

Do we really need cycling clothes for commuting? If your commute is short - no, you don't. But if you're planning to ride every day or your commute is more than a couple of miles, cycling clothes can make your saddle time more comfortable. These days there are more choices than the traditional jersey and shorts, but I wouldn't be caught dead in them. Strange, isn't it? I think nothing of wearing a jersey and shorts, but draw the line at those dorky capris. Go figure.

Here are a couple of links to other cycling clothing choices:

http://urbanvelo.org/spectrum-techwear/

http://commutebybike.com/2008/07/30/nema-jewel-thunder-bike-shorts-review/

Though he didn't say so explicitly, Buji hit squarely on 2 essential aspects of any high-performance clothing: garment design and fabric design. I've elaborated on them in the sections below.

Let me preface this by saying that long ago, I rode every day wearing cutoffs and jockey shorts. Maybe I had an advanced case of iron butt or those pain receptors weren't fully developed, but if I tried that now, I'd be off the bike for days. All those seams would act as tiny saw blades on my skin. In order to continue riding every day I need to be careful about preventing saddle sores. (See the saddle sore piece for more.)

My commute here in Oklahoma is 7 miles - roughly a half hour ride at my leisurely pace. Please remember that "Oklahoma" is an Indian word for "this place is only 2 miles from the sun!" Yesterday's homeward ride featured 102F. It was still 101F at 10PM and it was over 80F when I rode to work in the morning. Dancers may 'glow' but I sweat like a pig.

In all honesty, I'll admit that I've ridden around town on a Saturday morning wearing cargo shorts over jockeys. I wouldn't make a regular practice of it, however. Cargo shorts are wonderful when I'm running errands and visiting yard sales, but they're not a good choice for long distances or every day use. I've worn cycling shorts under cargo shorts a few times, and while it's convenient, I wouldn't want to wear them all day. It's a near-certain prescription for saddle sores. I've even tried riding to work using synthetic shorts under my work clothes (think 'tighty whities' with legs) but I don't like sitting in an air conditioned shop as the stuff slowly dries.

My usual practice is to wear boxer shorts, but on a bike saddle they form folds and creases that have the same effect as those seams in jockeys. Eventually they start cutting into my skin. Even worse, the 'dangly bits' sometimes get trapped between my leg and the saddle, leading to some strange gyrations as I try to get everything situated comfortably.

My son gave me some synthetic polo shirts for Father's Day this year. They wick just as a cycling jersey does, so I've given some thought to getting some baggy mountain bike shorts for occasional use.

(A word of advice is in order here. Don't wear gym shorts when cycling. They tend to get hooked over the nose of the saddle. When you stand up, they stay down. This can be somewhat upsetting, though there are certain people who find it perversely exciting. You know who you are.)

Over short distances, nearly any type of clothing will suffice for commuting, but as Buji has noted, there may be better alternatives than cotton.

Fabrics and sweat

Back in the old days, cycling clothes were made of light wool. Even now, some very nice and very spendy cycling clothes are made of wool. Wool fibers move moisture over their surfaces by capillary action if I recall right. Sweat evaporates from the outside and the fibers wick more away from the skin. All wicking fibers do this, not just wool. In the late 70s or early 80s, synthetics were developed that performed the same function.

Cotton doesn't wick. Anyone wearing a t-shirt on a hot day has seen wet patches on their shirt. A wicking synthetic doesn't exhibit these characteristics. Sweat dissipates throughout the material very quickly, leaving no wet spots. the cotton fibers swell up, and the saturated fabric doesn't permit air flow, so there's less evaporation from the skin underneath. I once had a jacket made of ventile cotton and it exhibited this effect very well. When wet, the fibers swelled and stiffened the fabric almost like heavy canvas.

Why is this important? In cold weather, exercising hard enough to produce sweat isn't bad in itself. There's something invigorating about working hard in the cold, in fact. But a problem arises if you have to stop for a flat tire, for instance. You're no longer working as hard so you're not producing as much heat. Meanwhile, sweat continues to evaporate, chilling the body even more. Hypothermia is called the killer of the unprepared for good reason.

Sweat is one way your body controls temperature. In summer, we're all accustomed to sweating copiously on long, hot rides. Cycling clothing wicks the sweat away, and as it evaporates, it cools the air right next to the skin. I could be wrong, but I think a cycling jersey offers a larger surface area for evaporation than the skin beneath it, adding to the cooling effect.

Garment design.

Co-worker: I'd ride a bike but I wouldn't wear them funny shorts.

Me: Given your looks, that's probably a wise decision.

I'm not writing about exotic prints, sublimated artwork, or custom embroidery. This is about the basic construction of cycling clothing.

Anyone interested in the history of bicycle racing can see that clothing construction hasn't changed substantially in half a century. Fabrics have changed radically in that time, but the basics of bike clothing are almost set in stone. Jerseys have 3 pockets across the back - except for track jerseys which have none - and there's a zipper down the front. Zipers have been growing longer every year it seems. Back in the 1960s and earlier, jerseys came with collars like polo shirts and sometimes included a front pocket up near the shoulder for cigarettes. They stayed dry up there.

Purpose-built cycling clothing is all about sweat management, long distance comfort, and drag reduction. Form fitting clothes like the traditional bike jersey and shorts reduce drag by reducing frontal area and reduced flapping. That saves some energy, though frankly it's probably miniscule. Without quantifying it, let's just say there's a noticeable difference between wearing my cycling jersey in warm weather and that big white parachute of an anorak when it's cold.

Cycling shorts are black so those of us who throw a chain or repair a tire have someplace to wipe our hands afterward. Black doesn't show the grease and dirt. See the saddle sore post for more about shorts, saddle sores and other stuff you may not really want to know.

I mentioned these synthetic polo shirts up above. They'd be suitable for a short ride if I had someplace to put my keys and wallet. Likewise, I have some wicking T-shirts at home that would be equally suitable. But that's one thing about bike commuting - maybe one of the most important things, actually - and that is the problem solving we do in order to ride back and forth to work. I can't claim that my solutions are universal. What works well for me may not work at all for you. We each find solutions that are sometimes unique to our situations.

Pssst! Hey, buddy, wanna buy a tire?

(All images from CycleDog on Flickr)

About 10 days ago, I went in to work early in the morning, leaving the house well before dawn and riding on almost deserted roads. It was pleasant, but I really don't like getting up at 3:30AM in order to avoid traffic. It will not be a regular practice.

Just north of the base, my back wheel started to make the thumping noise that usually indicates a low tire. I took the Cateye light off the handlebar while I was still moving, but the tire seemed to be properly inflated. I was only yards from the entry gate, so the light went back on the handlebar and I didn't think much more about it.

I meant to check the tire when I arrived at the bike rack. The time was only seconds before my clock-in, so I hustled inside, forgetting about the tire.

On the way home, in daylight this time, the characteristic thumping started again. Obviously, the tire wasn't going flat and I didn't see any bulges. It was weird. My mind speculated on hub and axle failures, and whether it would be worthwhile to rebuild the Bianchi's wheel yet again. I was about halfway home. I wondered if Lyndsay could come and get me if the hub disintegrated. I needn't have worried.

The noise continued. Thump, thump, thump, THUMP, THUMP, BANG! Thump, thump, thump. The tire was flat.

When I pulled it off, I found a cut about an inch long directly under the tread. These Serfas Seca blackwall tires in 700x28 have an interior casing with 3 rubber sections applied to the outside, one tread section, and the 2 side sections. The tube was bulging out through the casing, yet the thick, uncut tread section kept it from being readily apparent.

I'm not complaining about these tires. They've held up well in regular commuting, and unlike most of my tires, they've lasted a little longer than average. They've been on the Bianchi for 2 years. Others seldom last more than a year, particularly gum walls because the ultraviolet light breaks them down when the bike is parked outside every day.

Of course, I didn't have a tire boot out there on the road. It's one of those things I keep meaning to include in the seatbag but never get around to doing. You can make a boot from an old tire or a piece of duct tape. I settled on a five dollar bill from my wallet. The rag count in currency makes the paper very strong, provided it doesn't get wet.

Jon down at 360 Sports, our new local bike shop, didn't have any 28mm tires so I had to wait until they arrived. In the meantime, I rode the single speed Centurion to work. That was illuminating. Five days of daily commuting made my knee pain return. Sadly, the Centurion will be retired from regular commuter service until I change the gearing. I'm planning to build another rear wheel on a Sturmey Archer hub. The Bianchi will be an all-weather bike from now on, so I purchased some Planet Bike fenders, sexy ones with stainless steel hardware and stays. Way cool.

Last night, I fitted a new pair of Vittoria Zaffiros in 700x28. Again, they're blackwalls. Let's see how long they last.

Six Myths about Bicycle Commuting

Please bear with me for a moment.

I've been reading a lot about writing. It's a self-help effort. Much has been contradictory. For instance, one site said if you want to write better, concentrate on writing. But if you want to read, simply read. Another site says that reading is essential to becoming a better writer. I tend to agree with the latter. As an example, Isaac Asimov wrote several books every year on a variety of subjects. He wrote through the morning, had lunch, and then went to the library for research every afternoon.

I don't have Azimov's work ethic, not about writing, anyway. But I think that reading is a means of igniting the imagination and spinning off new ideas. It happened with the following piece, a straightforward discussion of misconceptions about bicycle commuting. I was in the middle of responding when it struck me that there's a necessity for a related but more detailed post about buying a used bicycle. I like it when that happens.

I did my best to avoid all the nuts-and-bolts about writing when I was in school. Even now, I can't tell you what a sumerian presumptional disfirmative is, or how to use it properly. (One of our local bicycling advocates is an English instructor. I give him migraines.)

These are excerpts from Adam Voiland's article. Follow the link for the complete one. My comments are interspersed in italics. And if you're wondering why I'm reaching all the way back to May for this, let's just say that my drafts folder is bulging and I want to clear it out.

Six Myths About Commuting by Bicycle

(Link)

May 15, 2008 05:11 PM ET | Adam Voiland

...Biking is a reliable, safe, fun, and cheap way to get around—and it happens to be good exercise, too. Still, myths about bicycle commuting persist. Here are six I’ve noticed over the years; feel free to add your own in the comments section.

1. It’s too dangerous. Yes, there’s real risk associated with bicycling. Bikers do crash and get hit by cars. But how dangerous is biking in comparison with other forms of transportation and with our perception of the risk? A lot less than you might think.

Consider the calculations of a company that performs safety and failure testing, previously called the Failure Group and now known as Exponent. The company looked at a variety of activities and determined that the number of fatalities per million hours of exposure was 0.26 for biking, 0.47 for driving, 1.53 for living (all causes of death), and 8.80 for motorcycling. In other words, they found that the risks of biking were about half that associated with driving and a sixth of that associated simply with being alive...

Yes, road cycling has some risks, but for the most part they're exaggerated. These risks are offset by the benefits that come from regular exercise: a healthier cardiovascular system, weight loss, and a more positive outlook. So while there are some dangers associated with riding on the street, we're probably at greater risk from that bowl of Cheetos on the arm of the couch. Sedentary lifestyles and poor nutrition choices kill more Americans.

2. It’s too far. The ride might take too long or take too much out of you if you live more than, say, 10 miles from work. But consider ways to expand your potential range. Many commuters, for example, use folding bikes so they can go partway on a commuter train (Swissbike uses technology originally designed for paratroopers to make the Hummer of folding bikes). Within city limits, many municipalities are now allowing bikes on buses or subway cars, too...

A good rule-of-thumb for a new bicycle commuter is to assume a pace of six minutes per mile at first. So a five mile trip should take about 30 minutes. Obviously, a short trip of a mile or two can be completed almost as quickly on a bicycle as it could in a car. My own commute is seven miles by the shortest route, and that takes about 30 minutes give or take a little due to the wind direction. This morning, a mocking bird serenaded along the way, something I'd miss entirely in a car.

3. I'll need an expensive bike. Not true. You should be able to get a new or used bike suitable for basic commuting for less than $500. Find a good, local bike store with a knowledgeable staff (not, in other words, one of the big-box stores), explain the terrain and length of commute you’re considering, and they'll help you choose the appropriate frame and number of gears you’ll need. In fact, Eric Doyne of Shimano’s public relations team tells me that “lifestyle” bikes—designed for everyday, casual riders as opposed to the high-performance racing or mountain bikes designed for enthusiasts—are huge growth areas for the bike industry right now...

Bike shops are seeing a lot of dusty old bikes rolling in for repairs as gas prices increase. This is a sensible idea because bicycles are fairly durable and there are many usable old bikes tucked away in garages and attics. But if you simply must have a new bike, visit a reputable local shop rather than a big discount store. A good shop will see that a bike fits you properly – absolutely key to long term comfort – and they'll provide service after the sale. This too is important because many new bikes go out of adjustment in the first month or two of use. This is normal.

There's always the possibility of buying a used bicycle, saving a significant amount of money while acquiring an excellent bike, but unless you're a skilled mechanic or very experienced at evaluating the potential flaws in older, used machines, I would recommend avoiding this unless you buy from a local shop. Bike shops usually won't take abused machines in trade. It's just too expensive to refurbish them. You'll pay more at a shop than you would at a flea market or garage sale, but it's likely you'll get a perfectly serviceable bike.

The used market can be rewarding or disastrous, but now that I'm thinking about it, I'll probably have something on buying used bikes in the next day or so.

4. It's impossible to carry the stuff I need. If this is what you think, you’re toting way more than the average person to work or you don’t have the right bag or features on your bike. A good basket or touring panniers will mean you can easily carry a computer, change of clothes, lunch, a few books, a slew of folders, and whatever other gadgets you regularly carry. Take a look at this bike and this pannier bag set if you’re looking for inspiration...

There are many ways to haul essentials. Rucksacks, messenger bags, panniers, and baskets will all do the job. Some people drive to work once a week with their work clothes. Then they can ride on the other days unencumbered by baggage. My rule-of-thumb is to use the smallest bag possible, because any 'extra' space will be filled with some unnecessary item that adds weight and bulk.

5. There’s nowhere to shower. Jeff Peel of the League of American Bicyclists says that many people do worry about this, but that there are numerous alternatives beyond simply showing up at the office smelly and sweaty. First, check to make sure that your building doesn’t have a shower somewhere. Mine does. If it doesn’t, check nearby gyms or fitness clubs. Many offer shower-only memberships for bike or running commuters. If you’re still striking out, Peel says, it’s amazing how far you can get with a sponge bath in a regular bathroom. Baby wipes work like a charm...

I read an account by a would-be bicycle commuter who bewailed the fact that there was no shower facility waiting at the end of his two mile commute. I'll just put this baldly – Americans worry entirely too much about sweat and the resultant body odor. A short commute at a relaxed pace will not end with you arriving at work reeking, not if you bathe regularly, anyway. There may be one aspect of 'Copenhagen style' cycling that I find appealing, and that's the emphasis on bicycling as a 'fast walking.' Riding a bike simply saves time over walking the same distance, and it can be done in stylish, fashionable clothes. But with that one caveat, I'll return now to my usual loathing of Copenhagen style.

6. Biking will make me impotent. This is a charge that has circulated since the late 1990s, and there’s a kernel of truth to it. There is evidence that serious bike riders can experience temporary and even long-lasting erectile dysfunction if they log lots of hours on a racing seat that doesn’t fit properly. But there are now plenty of seats like this one with ergonomically designed cutaway grooves that take the pressure off the key arteries and nerves. And if you really want to play it safe, there are noseless saddles, too. As long as your saddle fits correctly and you don’t ride as much as somebody training for the Tour de France, biking is more apt to reduce your odds of erectile dysfunction than raise them, since the exercise will help keep cardiovascular disease—a major cause of erectile dysfunction—at bay...

By the age of 70, about 50% of men are impotent. The infamous study that supposedly linked bicycle saddles and erectile dysfunction was a statistical study of these elderly ED patients. A doctor noted that in almost all cases, these men had ridden bicycles in their youth. While interesting, the study suffers from the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. Correlation is not causation, yet in another triumph of marketing over science, new saddles suddenly arrived on store shelves, saddles with holes. Can't have Mr. Happy going all saggy, you know. If you're the type who obsesses over these things, I have hundreds of emails offering generic Viagra in my spam folder. I can forward them to you.

Voiland included this:

"And, until more bike infrastructure is built (and it should be as it improves biker safety, too)..."

The advocacy groups who endorse ever increasing miles of bike lanes would have us believe those lanes enhance our safety. Yet studies like the one conducted in Copenhagen show that adding bike lanes to existing streets and eliminating parking merely moves collisions between cyclists and motor vehicles to the intersections. In other words, crashes decreased at mid-block but increased disproportionately at intersections. Bike lane proponents simply ignore this because it doesn't fit into their preconceived assumptions.

Infrastructure is not a substitute for an educated, experienced bicyclist, just as very safe interstate highways do not absolve a driver of responsibility for his own safety. That's another myth perpetuated by the facilities advocacy groups - that even inexperienced riders can safely use a bike lane.

Don't misunderstand me - I'm not against the idea of multi-use paths or trails, but I'm very much opposed to the fear mongering conducted by some of the advocacy groups. An engineer once told me, “Nothing will be foolproof until we run out of fools.” Sure, it was facetious, but there's a kernel of truth too. We know we cannot build facilities that are utterly foolproof. Instead, we should be focusing on building better cyclists, with the knowledge to use any roadway in safety regardless of the presence or absence of bike lanes. If we can do that, the whole bike lane issue becomes moot.

Ed's ego rides again...

(Image by See bas tiaan on Flickr)

A week ago, as I rolled along easily on my morning commute, I sensed something behind me just as I crested the first bridge at Bird Creek. A second later, someone said, "On your left!" and another bicycle commuter swept by at speed. I shouted, "Good morning!" and he was gone.

Now, the guy was probably 20 years younger than me, and he carried only a large hydration pack. He rode a hybrid, spinning in a relatively large gear. He turned west on 66th and headed toward Mohawk Park.

I kept grinding on south toward the airport.

This morning, as I was southbound on Main Street, I saw another cyclist going west on 76th. It was the same guy! My ego nudged the speed up a couple of notches. He was moving fast as 76th is usually busy with car traffic, but when he turned south onto Mingo, he let up a bit.

I was in the drops, head down, and pedaling at a higher pace than I'd normally try to sustain. I closed the gap from roughly a quarter of a mile down to about 100 yards by the time we reached the Bird Creek bridges. That's when he saw me.

His cadence increased and the gap slowly widened. I gave about 3 seconds thought to sprinting after him, but I knew too well that there would be nothing left when (or if) I caught him. I'd have been able to gasp a hello, and he would have simply ridden away.

I sat up and went back to spinning easily. Still, my legs were mostly big hunks of wood through the morning.

An ego can be a dangerous thing.

Ah, 'tis spring and.....ew – what's that smell?

(It's been a stressful week, and for some odd reason, I've been dwelling on saddle sores. Don't ask.)

I find minor amusement in the fashionista approach to cycling. There's a segment of the bicycling population that decries the use of Lycra and purpose-built cycling clothing, preferring more 'normal' clothes for everyday riding. That may work well in a colder climate or for the occasional cyclist, but someone who rides everyday in all sorts of weather needs to use the proper clothing. It's the difference between a spin around the block and a long-term commitment. I intend to be riding tomorrow, next week, next month, and through the winter if my knee holds out.

Fair warning – I'm writing about body odor, saddle sores, and foot fungus today. This is a brief introduction to these subjects. I've provided some links to more detailed information.

Hygiene is important in prevention and cycling clothing has a role to play. If you're a devotee of “Copenhagen-style” cycling dreck, where short distance bicycling is a substitute for walking, the following does not apply. But in most American cities, cycling distances are longer, leading to more problems with sweat management. Here in Oklahoma, where temperatures are already into the 90+ range ( 32+ C) most days, even a modest distance of 2 or 3 miles will leave you sweat soaked. The idea of sitting around at work in fashionable-but-sweaty clothing as it slowly dries just strikes me as icky. There's probably a more technical term, but icky will do.

Body Odor

By itself, sweat has little odor. It provides an excellent growth medium for bacteria, however, and it's the growth of those organisms that produces body odor. Cycling clothes help to reduce their growth of by wicking moisture away from the skin more rapidly than most natural fibers. Wool is the exception, which explains its popularity in the pre-Lycra days. So one commuting strategy is to ride to work and remove your cycling clothes on arrival. While it doesn't entirely stop bacterial growth, it does help to slow the little buggers down. In the absence of a shower, a couple of baby wipes will remove or kill the bacteria.

Body odor won't keep you off the bike, though for some it's a real enough concern to be an obstacle to bicycle commuting. Saddle sores, on the other hand, can put you off the bike and into a chair (gingerly) for days or even weeks. I mention body odor because sweat produces it, and because sweat and the resulting bacterial or fungal growth has a large role in producing saddle sores.

Abrasions

The simplest type of saddle sore is an abrasion. These injuries result from friction often caused by seams in clothing. Cut-off jeans are especially notorious for this. Even cycling shorts can cause an abrasion if they have a fold or crease. Treatment is fairly easy. Clean the affected area and dry it thoroughly. Then apply a topical anti-bacterial ointment. It's usually best to do this before bed as there's no way to cover it with a bandage. If you plan to ride in the morning, add more ointment. This does two things: it kills bacteria and it reduces friction. Be sure your shorts fit properly. You may have to try various types to find the ones most suitable for your anatomy.

Since an abrasion removes the tough upper skin layers, it exposes skin cells that more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Always treat an abrasion in order to prevent something worse.

Fungal infections

Often called jock itch, fungal infections are definitely worse. In the beginning, they feel like an abrasion but they don't respond to anti-bacterials and they grow steadily worse. And they do grow! They appear to be abrasions that never heal because the infection eats new skin just as fast as it grows. The area will be tender and very moist. These are the same fungi that cause athlete's foot, but the crotch gives them much more area to occupy. They like warm, dark, humid conditions. These fungi cause a distinctive odor. Let's be realistic and call it a stench. It's unmistakable. They do not respond to soap and water, actually preferring an alkaline environment. So it's important to remove every trace of soap. Oh, and don't think you can make the skin acidic with, say, vinegar and kill the little buggers. You'll howl and dance in the shower as your eyes pop out of your head. Guess how I know this.

Treat these infections with an anti-fungal like Lamasil. Tinactin, or Micatin. If you continue riding, re-apply the ointment several times each day. It may take weeks to fully heal. Since these fungi are often transmitted from feet to crotch by washing, wash your feet last. If you shower in a locker room, use flip flops to minimize your contact with the floor.

Also, it's a very good practice to apply an anti-fungal at the first sign of an infection, when the itch or burning starts. Keep using it for at least 10 days per the instructions.

Zits

Zits form when bacteria penetrate the skin, most often through a hair follicle or a pore. They take time to fester into the normal, painful saddle sore, typically growing over the course of a few days or even a week, before becoming the familiar skin eruption. They can be painful far out of proportion to their size.

Road Bike Rider offers extensive tips on treating saddle sores while continuing to ride. They recommend that your saddle fits well and is properly adjusted. If you rock back and forth, you're providing a saw-like action. The fit of your shorts is important too. Their recommendations are excellent and I won't duplicate them here, so follow the link if you need more information. I'm taken with the idea of using a foam donut originally intended for corns or calluses on the feet as a way to reduce pressure on a saddle sore. But then too, I'm not looking forward to trying it.

http://www.roadbikerider.com/DCtips.htm#Saddle%20Soreness

“Medicate. To help heal pimple-like saddle sores, check the skin-care section of a pharmacy for an acne lotion containing 10% benzoyl peroxide. Even better, ask your physician about a prescription for a topical antibiotic called erythromycin (brand name Emgel). We used Emgel during the 1993 Northern PAC Tour covering 3,400 miles in 24 days and completed the ride without a single saddle sore. Dab it on any “hot spots” right after washing.”

As with all the above, prevention is the best remedy. Wash your shorts regularly. Remove them promptly after a ride, and if you use them for commuting, try to allow them to dry before the ride home. Keep your skin dry when off the bike by using talc or some other form of drying powder. I used plain corn starch for years until my skin began reacting badly to it. You can adapt the same approach for riding. If it's a short distance, use talc to stay dry. For longer distances or in hot, humid weather, apply some ointment like Bag Balm before the ride. Some riders will apply a liberal coating of petroleum jelly to the inside of their shorts. I did this a long time ago for a couple of century rides. It really does work, but there's that icky factor to contend with when you pull them on in the morning.

Cysts

Cysts, abscesses, or boils can occur when a pore or hair follicle becomes plugged and infected. Typically, they feel like a small, hard mass just under the skin surface. White blood cells attack them. They swell up, form a 'white head' and drain eventually. Sometimes, due to their size or position, they have to be drained by a physician. Boils may drain into the blood and this can be a life-threatening condition. They are very contagious, so if one erupts, it's critical to clean the affected area and apply an anti-bacterial. Some cases may require treatment with prescription antibiotics.

Other resources:

http://www.roadbikerider.com/DCtips.htm#Saddle%20Soreness

http://hubpages.com/hub/Tinea_Pedis_Athletes_Foot_-_Fungal_Infection_of_the_Feet

http://www.healthy-skin-guide.com/boil-treatment.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saddle_sores

No animals were killed, maimed, beaten, sodomized, subjected to ridicule, or eaten in the production of this post, but it's still early.

Riding to work in 2020

(Image from Edgewriter)

On the Tulsa Now forum, Patric started a thread about driving to work in 2020. It can be found under Forum Chat. I'm hoping to retire long before then, but I speculated about the commuting experience anyway.


It's another cloudy spring day. I open the garage door and push my bicycle up the driveway. The slight chill feels good against my face as I coast down the hill from the house. The coolness will be even more welcome once I'm warmed up.

Traffic is light this early. The sun is hiding behind the eastern horizon, but there's not enough light yet for the electric cars to run at full speed. They hum along at about 30 which is still twice my speed, but since they're smaller and lighter than the old gas-guzzling behemoths it's much easier to share the road.

But speaking of behemoths...here comes that ancient Chevy Tahoe again. I can hear the engine rattle from nearly a quarter of a mile away. It's a bio-deisel conversion, but the guy driving it must make his own fuel out in the garage. The neighbors must really love him. The exhaust has all the appeal of an open grease pit at a third-rate Chinese restaurant. At least the commercial stuff smells like french fries or donuts. The Tahoe just smells rancid. Adding to the irony is that chipped and peeling W04 sticker on the back bumper, still recognizable after all these years. The true diehards will never give up, even if their hero is confined to his prison cell.

A couple of young, skinny fast movers dart by, pedaling smoothly and making it look effortless to cruise above 20mph. They nod at the 'old guy' in acknowledgment, but never say a word. Then a middle aged matron passes not pedaling at all. She's on an electric bicycle - much like an old fashioned moped, but with an electric 'assist' motor. I pedal hard for a moment in order to draft behind her, knowing she'll slow down on the rise ahead. She smiles, because we've played this cat-and-mouse game many times. Some mornings she gets to the main gate first, other mornings I do. I'll pass on the uphill and try to open a big gap that she won't be able to cross before I reach that gate. The tailwind helps.

Soon enough, I'm in the parking lot locking up my bike. Compared to the old days, there are far more motorcycles and even the bike rack is full most days. But the astonishing thing is the difference in car parking. Where we had about 50 vehicles in the front lot, there are now twice that many in the same space. Sleek electric minis sit next to bulkier deisel-electric hybrids, and there are even a few old Smart Cars in the mix. Much of the backlot was no longer used, so the company built more offices and a small park for employee's breaks and lunches.

After work, I'll probably take a ride down along the River. I like the quiet trails and I want to enjoy them while I can. If the Pro-River Tax people get their way and the tax gets implemented, all the development will make going there a real pain-in-the-ass.


So, that's my story. Care to make one of your own?

From the "Why didn't I think of that?" file...

Here's an astoundingly simple idea....kinetic powered pedals with LEDs. No batteries, ever, and they run for 5 minutes after you've stopped. Granted, they don't have a lot of power, but the human eye is very sensitive to motion at low light levels, so they should provide good visibility.

Still, with the dollar tanking, the asking price of 35 pounds may be a bit steep.


(LINK)

Pedalites are the latest cycling phenomenon and are, to put it bluntly, uber cool. These kinetic energy powered (no batteries, ever!) 360 degree light-up pedals simply replace your boring old pedals, and light your feet up like a Christmas tree. As well as standard reflectors, the pedals have three integral bright LEDs, one facing forwards, one backwards, and one sidewards - or rather sideways. As you pedal, kinetic energy powers up the LED’s which flash brightly away, and the great thing about these is that this energy is stored in the pedals, so even as you free wheel or stop at a crossing (of course you do…) the pedals continue to flash for up to five minutes!

I’d definitely feel safer having a pair of these on my bicycle. What’s £34.99 when it comes to preventing an accident?

What we carry...

(CycleDog images)

Fritz has a post on Cycle-licious about his messenger bag and what he carries in it. Now, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, he should consider this a mild attempt. He got me thinking about what I carry, and maybe more to the point, got me wondering just what lurked in the bottom of MY bag. I carry two messenger bags – not at the same time – one for big loads and another for more modest ones. The big bag can hold three gallons of milk or juice along with more groceries piled on top. A gallon of milk weighs about eight pounds, so it's a good thing the grocery store is fairly close to the house, though it's uphill all the way. Jordan accompanied me one day and laughed as he easily rode away from me going home. This bag is like a garage with a shoulder strap attached.

The other bag actually started out as a replacement for a diaper bag when the kids were small. I think the first diaper bag was a gift and it fell apart in 6 or 8 months. That's not too surprising because it went everywhere. But it say loads about the Jansport bag that replaced it. This one went everywhere too, and nearly 20 years later it's still perfectly usable, despite being carried on a bike for years. (Hint: If you know a cyclist with a new baby or one on the way, give a good quality messenger bag as a baby gift! They'll appreciate it long after the baby is out of diapers.) The small bag is good in the summer because I don't have to carry as much. Normally, it would have my laptop, lunch, and some work clothes. There isn't room for much else.

There's one thing I've never understood about shoulder bags, though, and that's the invisible cinder block. Both messenger bags have one, and my camera bag may have two of them. I've dumped everything out, but I can never find that cinder block. That's one of the drawbacks of a larger bag. Since I have more space, I carry more stuff.

You'll notice there's very little bike stuff in these bags. Most of that stays on the bike in a seat bag or pannier. And as of now, I'm still not riding because of this knee. I'll be kind to it until the weather breaks in a few more weeks. Right now it's still hovering around freezing most mornings and I know the knee doesn't like the cold. Once it hits 40 in the morning, I'll try to get back into regular commuting. We've had freezing rain (again) this morning, and my back and shoulder are aching as a result.

Huge Jansport bag

Scarf, long enough to double as a head covering.

Laptop

Laptop case, protects against dust, rain, and vibration.

DVD backups

Bicycling magazine

Newspapers

2 red goodie bags, one holds lunch, the other small electronics

Rescue knife

Hand lotion

Saline/alkalol solution

Handkerchief

Bandana

Skull cap

Thermal undershirt – almost as warm as a sweater but without the bulk.

Spare glasses

PDA

Notebook

Various cords and connectors

SD card reader

mp3 player and earbuds

Invisible cinder block (not shown)

Just don't call me Stumpy...

(Image from HorrorMovies.com)

The wind swung around to the north and daytime temperatures dropped nearly 20 degrees. Welcome to fall in Oklahoma.

Our lawn is growing again due to the weekend rain. Before I could mow, I needed to rake up the pine needles otherwise they'd just clog the mower. In another month, the maple tree will shed its leaves too, so I'll be out in the yard raking every week. The oak leaves won't drop until spring, giving our winter bird population a nicely protected roost through the winter. I almost like raking up pine needles and leaves on a cool fall day. It offers some quiet time for contemplation and the cooler temperatures make the work seem easier. Perhaps it's not surprising that I enjoy cycling in cooler weather too. Besides, the dogs like a pile of fresh pine needles as bedding in their dog house once it gets cold. The tree gives us an ample supply. This works out well for all of us. They get bedding. I get exercise and some time to think.

Every time I do this, I run into another 'while you're at it' job, and last night was no exception. Once the pine needles were finished, I went to the back yard to collect a fallen branch from a neighbor's willow tree. One of our shrubs dropped a branch too. I needed the pole saw to cut them. And I remembered that the last time I mowed, I had to duck under some of the willow's branches, so I used the pole saw to remove them. I dragged the branches to the front yard, and then set to work cutting them small enough to fit in the lawn waste can. The city collects the lawn waste for composting and mulching, saving on landfill space.

Loppers cut through the small branches easily, but the bigger stuff required a chainsaw. I have a great deal of respect for chainsaws or any other tool capable of removing an arm or a leg in a moment of inattention. Mary makes fun of me, saying that I'm halfway afraid of it. She's right. I am. Chainsaws do not discriminate between tree limbs and our limbs. And while she makes fun of me, she's still careful to stay well away when I'm using it.

All that bending, lifting, and dragging made me hurt. All too quickly I was dog tired, even though it wasn't all that much work. I'd been at it for only an hour but it was time to quit. The mowing could wait.

I went inside and had a glass of water, two ibuprofen, and a shower. Then we went to the grocery for dinner supplies and we collected Jordan from football practice. From long experience, I had the foresight to stop at the liquor store on the way home. A shot or two of vodka is nature's own muscle relaxant. The bottle went directly into the freezer when we got home.

I read for a while as my legs slowly stiffened. By bedtime I was getting up and down with some difficulty. My shoulder and neck were painful, so I had that shot of vodka and rubbed on a generous layer of Icy Hot. Mary says it's a good indicator that I'm hurting when she opens the bedroom door and walks into an all-but-solid cloud of menthol fumes. By morning, I had wooden legs. The alarm went off and I hobbled across the room like an elderly version of Frankenstein's monster. My knees and back would not straighten out, so I shuffled along stiff-legged while being bent over like a little old man.

The question was – could I ride to work? Did I even want to try?

I postponed answering that one until after breakfast. The cats clamored for their's first, as usual. I checked the overnight email, read the news, and got a weather report. For the first hour in the morning, I'm on autopilot, so it wasn't too surprising when I found myself changing into cycling clothes. Yep, looked like I was gonna ride!

The commute was uneventful with calm winds and a temperature in the high 50s. Sure, I was stiff at first, but a few miles of gentle spinning helped sort out the kinks. By mid-day, some aches and pains had crept back into my muscles, but overall I felt good. A bicycle as therapy? Who would have thought?

Tonight I'll mow the lawn. That'll be easy compared to last night. However, I may have to invent a few sore muscles in order to have some of that vodka again.

Monday, Monday....

We have an excessive heat warning in Tulsa today. The outside air temperature is 96F and the heat index when combined with the humidity is 105F. Later this week, it will be hotter, with air temperatures over 100F.

I didn't ride today, but it wasn't due to the heat. No, I woke up at 3AM, wide awake and almost unable to get back to sleep. I dozed fitfully until the alarm went off at 5. I hate mornings when I get up feeling even more tired that when I went to bed.

But I know from experience that riding in the heat is hard on the legs. It's hard on the whole body. My heart works harder just moving blood around trying to cool the muscles. Add high temperatures on top of that and it's easy to exceed the anaerobic threshold without even feeling like I'm working hard.

When it's this hot, I usually drink 2 water bottles on the way home, and pour a third one over my arms and chest. A quick dousing lowers my heart rate by 10 or 15 beats per minute.

Gotta go find that heart rate monitor...

The Dawn Patrol

Here's another effort at descriptive writing. Join me for a typical ride to work. Unlike my real life, this doesn't include any vicious chupacabras lying in wait or any attempted abductions by alien UFOs, yet I have to insist that the following account is true.

One of the dubious perks of middle age is waking before the alarm goes off. In those few minutes between the return of consciousness and the click of the clock radio, I take stock of all those minor aches and pains that may increase or decrease throughout the day. Some days the pain is immediate and intense. That's an ominous sign usually meaning I'll have a rough day.

I swing my legs over the side of the bed, moving carefully so I don't disturb Mary. No lightheadedness. That's good, but I don't know why I think about it. There was a time when I was recovering from surgery when sitting up caused dizziness. Maybe it's just a habit to take stock these days. My right foot hurts a little bit. I know it will hurt much more when I put weight on it, so I delay getting out of bed for a moment, steeling myself for the bolt of pain that will shoot from my heel to the knee as soon as I stand. The clock radio clicks on. I lurch to my feet, staggering across the room to quiet it. Then I shuffle off to the bathroom. With my elbows pumping up and down, I do a passable impression of walking like Walter Brennan.

My cycling clothes are waiting in the bathroom. I put them there last night, again, so I wouldn't bother Mary. I do some stretching exercises in an effort to relieve the pain in my foot. It helps. I'm able to walk normally once again, though the pain is still there, subdued, but noticeable.

As soon as I open the bedroom door, the feline chorus starts. They're hungry and they're overjoyed to see a semi-awake human capable of opening the refrigerator. The cat food is inside. I swear, if it wasn't for opposable thumbs, the cats wouldn't keep us around at all. They rub up against the cabinets, the refrigerator, and my legs, trying to communicate their happiness at seeing my sleepy form. I spoon reeking canned food into their bowls. Once they've eaten, I'll be completely forgotten until their hunger returns. Such is the gratitude of cats.

I pour myself a bowl of cereal, and then go out to the living room where I turn on the computer. I look at the news, check e-mail, and read some blog posts while munching. One of the cats tries to sit in my lap in order to be just a little bit closer to the milk in the bottom of my cereal bowl. I shoo her off. After finishing the cereal, I take the bowl out to the kitchen sink, running some water into it. I pour a small glass of orange juice and use it to wash down my pills: aspirin, niacin, and fish oil capsules. When I sit down at the computer again, the cat is instantly back in my lap. She's cold and wants someplace warm to sleep. This one is elderly and I think her health is fading. She likes to sleep on top of the computer monitor where it's warm, but she's been falling from it several times a day. I let her snooze on my lap because I suspect she won't be with us much longer.

All too soon it's time to go. I get up from my chair. The cat protests loudly, then stalks off in a huff. Mary packed a lunch and left it in the refrigerator, so I just transfer it to the pannier. I put my work clothes in it last night.

Then I put on my shoes while a kitten watches, fascinated by the laces going back and forth. I keep a wary eye on her because she's attacked the laces once or twice. Her aim is sloppy and she makes no distinction between laces and fingers. She has very sharp claws. I manage to get the shoes on without losing any blood.

I complete my mental checklist: keys, wallet, and cellphone in the jersey pockets. Stuff sacks with clothes, food, and rain gear are in the main pannier compartment; PDA, spare batteries, and dog alignment tool go in the outer pocket. There's an assortment of junk that's filtered down to the bottom of the pannier. Some day I'm going to get rid of it all if I can work up the courage to dig that deep.

I fill a water bottle and go out to the garage where I check that the bike lights work. I check the tires and brakes too, and make sure to actually attach the pannier to the bike. Once or twice I've gone out the door without it. The bike handles differently without the extra weight, so the absence is very apparent.

Then it's time to turn out the garage lights, open the door, and roll off toward work. I feel the wind on my face, promising a light headwind going south. I switch up through the gears while going down the hill, checking that the drive train works properly, and I listen for idling car engines, slamming doors, or growls and claws on pavement indicating a dog attacking from the darkness. I remember to avoid the road center at the bottom because there are some potholes. In a minute or so, I reach an arterial street. Traffic is light at 6AM. I take the right hand lane for half a mile, then gradually move left to set up for a left turn at a red light.

The city just re-surfaced the road south. It's jet black and seems to soak up my puny headlight. Granted, I can't see the surface very well, but it's a fresh layer of asphalt and it's completely free of cracks, potholes, or any other irregularities. For now, it's free of painted lines too. I'd probably avoid this in the dark if it were raining.

There's a big parking lot along that street, with plenty of early morning traffic in and out of the YMCA. It doesn't help that the highway parallel to the street has heavy traffic. My bike lights just don't stand out when there's all those other lights coming from behind. Motorists routinely pull out in front of me from that parking lot. I'm hyper-aware through that stretch.

I make a quick stop for a newspaper, and in a few more minutes I'm out of town, cycling across a broad, shallow valley through a pecan grove. The dawn chorus is starting, just a few birds at first, but within minutes it seems every bird in the northern part of the county joins in. My nose informs me that a skunk passed this way recently. And there's a road-killed deer adding it's own special stench. I hold my breath.

The road climbs gradually out of the valley for the next 2 miles. I breath a little harder, partly due to the climb and partly due to the slight headwind. There's a crest just south of the Bird Creek bridge. I check carefully for overtaking traffic because they can't see the oncoming lane. I don't want to get squeezed.

I stay alert while passing the house with a bunch of loose dogs. Most days they're asleep, but when they're awake I've been chased by 4 or 5 at a time. My knee isn't solid and I hesitate to sprint. Luckily, this morning I don't have to. No dogs lurk in the darkness, stomachs growling in anticipation of a cyclist's leg for breakfast. I ring my bell in victory as I pass. There are no answering barks. I can relax a little.

There's a diagonal railroad crossing ahead. I check for overtaking traffic again, then zig-zag across the tracks. I stay to the left side of the lane because there's a dip on the far side of the tracks and it still has a deep puddle from yesterday's rain. It would be just my luck to ride through it only to discover a brick hiding under the water, so I avoid all puddles.

Up ahead, the light at 46^th Street changes to red, again. I seldom manage to get a green. The signal is controlled with magnetic loops, but the heavy traffic is westbound, not southbound like me. Besides, the loops are hidden under the re-paving the city performed a few years ago. I can't trigger the light. Most days there's enough north-south traffic to trigger it, but not today. I wait for a break in the line of cars, then scoot across the intersection quickly. Someday a Tulsa cop will spot me doing that and I'll have some 'splaining to do.

As I approach the north gate, I unclip my ID badge from the brake cable. A Pinkerton security guard stands outside his booth, scrutinizing the badge in the glare of the floodlights. It simply wouldn't do to allow some bicycle riding terrorist onto the maintenance base. It wouldn't do for me to topple over while riding across the damned speed bumps they've installed in front of the gate, either. Fortunately, this Pinkerton is standing well past the speed bumps, so I don't have to negotiate them with my ID in one hand and the handlebar in the other.

Now for the dangerous part – riding across the parking lot. Some of my co-workers are already late, but they seem to think that if only they can drive fast enough, somehow they'll be able to reverse the flow of time, thereby arriving early for a change. Stop signs, painted directional arrows, and lane markings are merely advisory. I've had too many close calls in the parking lot. It's another place to stay alert. But today I arrive at the bike rack without incident.

I remove the pannier and water bottle; check the handlebar computer; and cover the saddle with a plastic bag as protection against errant birds. The end of the morning ride is always a bit of a let-down because it's so pleasant. There's a temptation to just keep riding, ignoring the turn into the gate, and simply reveling in the fun of bicycling as the sun comes up. But I have a family and I have obligations. The one bright spot is the coffee waiting in the shop. Time for a cuppa!

Weird courtesy...

I was stopped at a T intersection on my way home earlier this week, waiting for a car coming from my right. The driver had her left turn signal on. She was about to turn into the road I was on. I waited because she had the right of way, but she slowed and stopped, then motioned for me to pull out ahead of her. I did, but I was very nervous about it.

This happens occasionally. Motorists display exaggerated courtesy toward cyclists. I can only think that they're concerned about our safety, but when they disregard the rules of the road do to so, it's disconcerting for a cyclist. I really don't like to pull out in front of a car despite the driver's best intentions.

On the other hand, there are times when a strict adherence to the rules can be disconcerting too. Last night I was riding north along a two-lane road in a no-passing zone. Apparently, the woman behind me took that literally. She would not pass and traffic was backing up behind her. Someone started laying on the horn, but surprise, surprise, when we all reached the red light up ahead, they all behaved like adults. No one yelled. No one honked. It probably would have been different if the light had been green. Rude drivers have tons more courage when they can accelerate.

I've experienced the "cop effect" a few times recently, too. That happens when there's a patrol car in the immediate vicinity and every driver is aware of it. They're usually on their best behavior at such times. Unless, of course, the rude driver happens to BE a cop, like that fat county sheriff's deputy who pulled me over a while back. Honestly, if it hadn't been for the SUV, that guy wouldn't have moved at all.

I don't know what to do differently when a driver is extending weird courtesy. Like that one up above, I disliked pulling out in front of her car, but I can't think of any other action to indicate that she really should have gone ahead of me. Well, I guess I could stand there being stubbornly defiant, but then I'd look like a discourteous dick. Everyone knows that I take pride in having good manners and forego belching in nice restaurants or farting in elevators - mostly. I don't want to be rude.

Don't misunderstand me, though. I never hesitate to take the lane when conditions require it. That's not being arrogant or rude. That's being a safe, savvy bicycle commuter.

Snoooooow!!!

The local weather guys said we had a 50% chance of snow late Wednesday afternoon. "Only fifty percent?" I thought. "I'll ride to work and probably miss it."

The snow started just after dawn. As I write this after lunchtime, it's accumulated a couple of inches. Several co-workers offered me a lift home, but I declined. Predictably, my daughter called with the same offer. She worries too much.

Now, remember, a CycleDog is one sick puppy. I'm actually looking forward to riding in the snow. It's about 25F, so it should be nice and dry, with fair traction. I'm gonna have fun!

(Later)

The ride home really was fun! The roads were mostly snow-covered, but the temperature was at that ‘in between’ stage, where the snow wasn’t truly dry. yet wasn’t wet and slushy either. It was almost like paste. Sure enough, it glued itself inside my fenders, adding LOTS of rolling resistance. I had a tail wind, but the going was still hard. I felt like I was riding uphill all the way home. A heart rate monitor would have been useful because I was breathing hard!

Now, if I were a real flahute rather than an imaginary one, I'd ride to work through the snow tomorrow morning. But I'm not a big fan of riding in the dark in bad weather. We all draw the line somewhere when it comes to perceived risk, and riding in the dark when it's raining or there's snow on the road is mine.