Oh the Irony

One day last week I drove down to pick up Mei at the University, and arrived at University Avenue exactly at noon, when hordes of students were changing classes or going to lunch. Going through the intersection (I had to turn left) was tedious and slow, owing to the long lines of humanity streaming to God knows where. I inched forward, tailing the car in front. As the light turned red he went through, but the rush of oncoming traffic left me stuck where I was. In the middle of the bike lane. A steady stream of bicycles approached from either side, veering around my car, like a mountain stream rushing past a boulder. More than one cyclist glared at me. As I would, too, were I in those cleats. I was very glad when the light changed and I inched out of there, chastened and apologetic.

Reminded me of how much difference perspective makes. Also on the way to Mei's work, a residential street we used to go through has been converted to a "bicycle boulevard" -- cars are allowed, but only from one direction, which happens to be the opposite of the way we are going. I have to admit it irritates me sometimes, this new swerve in my path. Almost makes me want to flout the law. Biker bastards.

Speaking of scofflaws, Sunday I went on the new stretch of the Badger State Trail, eight miles that link Madison's trails to parts south. I wasn't sure exactly where the trails joined, and was concerned I might miss the intersection. Fat chance -- it turned out to be the first bicycle path cloverleaf I've ever encountered. But when I got about a mile in, I found a "Path Closed" sign, because it was not yet officially completed. But so far as I could tell, all that remained was signage and maybe a few access points to road crossings. Beyond the sign a long black ribbon of virgin asphalt beckoned, I weakened, and on I went. A beautiful ride, past numerous closed path signs (at every highway crossing) and no catastrophe followed. Later on more riders showed up, so I didn't feel quite as sinful. I think maybe I was disappointed.

What I didn't like was the cold. It was about 45 degrees, just warm enough that I got sweaty under the windbreaker, but cold enough that I was cold without it. I toughed it out, though a few miles from home I stopped at the EVP coffee house, and had a cup of green tea and a bearclaw, and toasted to the Slow Bicycle Movement. Kind of funny -- my total ride was only about 25 miles, but as I neared the end I was glad to stop. Perhaps, like the Nebraska Cornhuskers, I played down to my competition, knowing that I didn't have to tough it out for a long haul.

Though I'm still considering taking the Badger trail south for 50 miles, then turning around to make my century. If the wind is right and everything else is aligned. Stay tuned.