Snappy the Clam

One more thing. Twice in as many months, people in cars have stopped me riding hard up the crest of the steep hill just before my home to ask me for directions. Both times I have stopped. Both times I have been amazed and annoyed. The only reason for this behavior I can figure is that I'm more accessible than someone closed up in an a/c'd car and thus it's easier to stop me, though the first time the dork cut me off in the road (him I was ready to KILL) before asking the directions. When I told L about this when I got home she said "next time don't stop." Why didn't I think of that?

Posted by John at 4:08 PM | Permalink

Looking over what very little, little I have here, I'm struck by how little I write now - it seems to go about 4 mos of slience followed by a small utterance or two. I sometimes have a hard time getting over the whole idea that the minutiae of my life is any more interesting than the minutiae of any one else's. In other words, this is the whole "Who the hell do you think you are?" brain nag niggling at me again. I sometimes wish I could have some of the naive, massive egotism, unencumbered by doubt that much of the stuff I read online seems to lack, which would explain why people feel free to post frippery concerning their cookie and soymilk tastes.

Posted by John at 4:05 PM | Permalink

Also my long awaited and anticipated Rivendell All-Rounder shipped yesterday. I oscillate between excitement and wondering if I shoulda held out for half-step rather than crossover gearing. Ah, I can allus swap chainrings later. Building a new freewheel with a half-step progression could be tougher, though, and is prob why I couldn't get half-step in the first place. I imagine the bike will still be rideable.

Posted by John at 3:59 PM | Permalink

Interesting thread on rec.bicycles.misc recently about the whole "cyclists acknowledging each other on the road" meme - leading to larger questions of community and outsiderhood. Worth a look. My experience pretty much breaks down to: anybody in Spandex ignores me completely, about 50% of commuters (assumed via mt bike and bag plus usually a helmet) say "hi", little kids always say "hi", and it irritates me when people ride on sidewalks, against traffic, and run red lights.

Posted by John at 3:51 PM | Permalink