Gone Ridin' be back later

I've had 4 days between shows this week. 4 days to contemplate all the ways in which I hate my life. Then I got a call. Cat Bird. 4 days of exquisite weather, how can I be such a 'bad' person? Leaving that poor Cat Bird in the garage. There's nothing else to do but take her out.

Since I haven't been out much this summer I'm taking it easy but the good news is that I'm stronger now, even after months of inactivity than I was before. Pushing the big gears a lot more often. I adjusted my seat post a wee higher. Still haven't put on the clip-less pedals but just wearing the shoes (without cleats-duh)has made a HUGE difference.

The downside: Drivers. Even when there is no traffic, when they have MORE than enough room to pass, they insist on getting up behind me then gunning the engine and swerve past. I'm not one of those 'I bike everywhere cars are evil' kind of rider. I drive. I drive a lot. I bike becuase I enjoy it. Because it is good for my mental and physical health. I bike because it is FUN FUN FUN.

(side note...a very small child in my neighborhood, maybe 4 years old, was out on his first no training wheels ride the other day. The road is a very slight downgrade. He started at the 'top' and coasted down to the 'bottom' yelling 'WHEE WOO HOO' all the way. My feelings exactly!)

I would never think of harassing a rider the way people harass me. And as many other bike riding bloggers say we always meet up again at the next stop sign.

I guess I'm supposed to be intimidated or impressed by their 'big' engines. As if I don't drive. Yet, if it was them, or one of their 'precious children' on the road I'm sure they would have plenty to say about that style of driving.

I know in PA a bike is a vehicle and is supposed to be on the road. It is illegal to ride on the side walk. I know bike purists 'claim' the road but for folks like me, I would appreciate widening the side walks or elevating the bike lanes. I do prefer to be on the road but not when it comes to risking my life due to a-holes and idiots.

The bike lanes are almost non existent in the 'burbs of Philly. What few there are are not maintained (trash and other debris, pot holes or parked cars) making them useless. Adding bike lanes may be a good ideology and it sounds good on paper but if traffic cops don't enforce the laws, governments don't maintain the roads and policy groups don't make an effort re: public awareness of driving laws, bikes and bike lanes I'm afraid I'd agree that adding bike lanes IS a waste of money.

More paved closed-to-traffic 'trails' or paths, widened sidewalks or elevated or barrier protected lanes makes more sense.