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Brain Farts :: 5.24.2006
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Recent thoughts...
*What is the appropriate reaction to ignorant and dangerous drivers? This is fresh on my mind from an incident last week where I went absolutely ballistic on this little old woman in a giant Lincoln that passed me within inches in a single lane construction zone on her race to the next red light. As she passed me, I slapped the car with an open hand to let her know I was there, and proceeded to catch her at the next light where she received a thorough tongue lashing with all of the eloquence of a hardened sailor. She was lucky number three that day – earlier in the commute two other drivers had pulled equally dangerous moves with me that I just brushed off. But three instances in fifteen miles was enough... It brought about a discussion in the office over the appropriate reaction to this. Just letting people get away with threatening you with their automobile just shows them that it is an acceptable behavior. Calling the police or other authority figure isn't effective either. And physically dealing with the driver and/or damaging their car may only provoke further rage on the next cyclist. It's a tough line to draw.
*Was out riding yesterday on my latest test ride, the highest end bike I've ever ridden, the Orbea Alma 29. So far so good, look for a review at some point later in the year after I've had the chance to put some serious miles in on it, and some race laps in. The real story is that once again my eyeglasses saved me from a sharp stick in the eye. Riding down the home trail back to the office, an unseen vine of sorts very humorously grabbed my face and took me off the bike, scratching the hell out of me and throwing my glasses to the ground. Luckily, scratches were it and nothing is wrong with my eyes. Wear some safety glasses out there, you only get one set of peepers.
*Been really putting in the commuting miles this month, and the gas tank shows it. Have been running off the same dinosaur souls that I put in the tank a month ago. And it feels great. This week I've twice had to run out the front door in full cycling gear to move my car to the other side of the street to avoid a street cleaning ticket as I leave for the commute.
*And finally, some shameless self promotion. I've got my first photography show opening on June 1st in Pittsburgh, at the wonderful Enrico's Tazza D'Oro. I'm excited to hang work on the walls of such a community oriented and cycling friendly establishment. With group road rides leaving 2-3 times a week from its front step and support for various other cycling and community activities, Tazza D'Oro has shown that its giving back to the city it calls home. I just hope the months of preparation I've put into this work out for the best and folks enjoy what they see. Time will tell.
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