Pretty good day for cycling here in Cen-Tex. I say "pretty good" since there was a wind from the South today at 15mph sustained with gusts up to 28 mph. The sun and the temps were pleasant, temps that would have BalticTiger out cycling even.
I decided to head South today into the aformentioned "wind" and quickly started to question my sanity. It was a cross of feeling like I was riding on the beaches of Oregon or sitting in a Boeing wind tunnel. Intrepid that I was, I continued on with my ride bound and determined to get the most out of my time. I did take heart with the knowledge that I would be returning with the wind at my back, something that helped me continue along.
During my ride south to San Marcos I decided to head farther through the city to add some miles to my favorite course. After braving the city/college traffic in San Marcos I was treated to a narrow state highway with absolutely no shoulders. Brings to mind the game "Frogger" from my youth.
After surviving the mile or two of absent shoulders I was treated to a very nice stretch of smooth and wide asphalt shoulders, something that helped me keep going for another 4-5 miles.
Well I had decided that I would not be out too long, lest the CO send out the SAR teams, so I turned around at the 17.6 mile point and headed back North.
Praise be to God and cycling, Mr. Wind decided to hold true to his word and supplied me with a merry trip back, merry that is except when I went through San Marcos. Oh well....
Oh... you wonder what my first Brush With Doom was??? Well as I was going through the streets of San Marcos I came to a 4-way stop sign. "Mr. Import Sedan", who was coming from the opposite direction, decided to rush the stop sign and made me take evasive action while I turned to the left. Well I did not see a gravel patch as I was turning to avoid "Mr. Import Sedan" and almost kicked out my bike from under me. This would have happened except that self preservation and probably a Guardian Angel separated my left shoe from the pedal and I rode for a couple of feet with my foot on the ground like an outrigger. This helped me avoid the gravel but it directed me into the path of "Mrs. Silver Camry". Suffice to say she was not traveling at a very fast clip and I quickly moved back to my side of the road cursing "Mr. Import Sedan".
Well "Ce la Vie" I guess.....
I don't think the CO liked it when I told her my tale. Better shut my talkative trap next time.
Take Care.
XO
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3 comments:
Learning with every ride. What was it they tried to teach us about driving a car? Defensive driving? That's how you survive as a cyclist -- expect that drivers can't see you, that they're idiots, that they're all on their cell phones while putting on makeup, and that they don't know how to drive. I noticed that you already have the rear-view mirror. Wise man. Situational awareness, anticipation, and a whole load of cynicism will keep you healthy, bub. And be sure to learn something safety-related on every ride!
PLEASE be careful ! I seem to remember someone turfing his hand on rollerblades whilst in the land of sunflowers nigh on 14 years ago........
Thanks for the words of advice Howard and don't worry Sonarman that episode really occurred out of my failing to know my surroundings and not being as good an inline skater as I thought I was...
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