please pass the coffee

How the heck did I survive from 2008 until 2011 w/o drinking coffee regularly?  I'm totally and completely dependant on it again, which while slightly scary is mitigated by the fact that it is plant sourced and so far as long as I don't go David Grohl and drink multiple pots every day I should be okay.  Sleeping is fine and all that so there's that.  Day off? What?  Weekend? Worked right through it.  Yeah, you hear people say they work two jobs for their kids, that's me.  At least neither are crazy high stress, and I enjoy them both.

Taking a rare lunch out of the office today.  Heading to McFadden's for the Velosprints.  The thing I was in the paper about.  That cover shot.  Yeah that's today at lunch.  Normally it is straight through here, on call, answering questions while my lunch gets cold or ignored.  Which is fine.  I'm used to it, doesn't bother me.  Tunes, internet, food, answering questions, it works.

If it wasn't for the bike commute I might mind it a bit more.  The ride in and the promise of the ride home get me through the day in the office w/o windows, in the basement where I never know what is going on outside.

Yesterday's commute was nice, on the weekend there are more people out there on bikes on the bike path. I almost prefer the current detour on the surface street with the bike path closed as there are no walkers, joggers, dogs on leashes in the street.  Just cars.  Going in my direction, some 2x as fast as I am, some a bit faster, but mostly far more predictable than the bike path traffic.

Twitter's been lighting up discussing/complaining/observing the changes out there that the new season is bringing.  "We" used to have the roads/paths/lockers to our selves.  Cold shitty weather is "our" weather.  We ride year round, and when it gets nice, all the rookies, amateurs and part timers come out and mess it up.

Yes. It is awesome that they are on their bike.  Getting outside, getting some exercise, riding to work, for fun, for whatever.  Awesome.  Great stuff.

But this time of year, us regulars, are reminded of how nice it is when the weather sucks and we have our bike path all to ourselves.  Or the Bike lane.  When we can ride, stop at stop lights, yield at stop signs, go with the flow w/o having someone mess it all up.

I was close to being t'boned a couple times this morning at 4 way stops by other people on bikes.  Really.  Come on.  At least make an effort to appear like you could stop if I had been 2' further through the intersection.  I guess they are lucky that my brakes work and I know how to use them.

Frustrating but at the same time, I wish more people would be able to find the joy I do commuting by bike.  Yes, it would mean it is more crowded out there.  But after a few months everyone will be used to it and how it works and won't be as much of an idiot.  That or I will slowly be desensitized to the stupidity and my tolerance will increase to the point of acceptance.

I really would like to see more people out there.   The bike path south of us was a mad house yesterday with the weather as warm and sunny as it was.  Like 4th of July crazy from what I heard.  So many different users, walkers, joggers, runners and then the various speeds of cyclists, from too fast to too slow and everything in between.

So many people with bikes on the back of the cars going south on the road while I was going north.  Why can't they just get on their bikes at their house?  Why drive to a ride.  I really don't like driving to a ride.  To a race is barely tolerable and I only rationalize it to myself because I'm driving that ancient rusty race wagon burning Biodiesel (20-100% bioD) getting 35-50 mpg (city -highway, again, it is old and imperfect, like me).

I'm trying not to think too much about the TJROW gang.  Getting fed all that Lim and Biju food.  I might have to try making those rice cakes sometime.  But hey - hopefully they can all live up to the promise and not just turn all this fundraising and riding into a big exclusive frat party bike ride from BOS to DC (trying to be optimistic and not letting my jealousy color anything towards the negative - so wish I was riding with them honestly).

It is getting on close to sunburn season.  I'll get a post for the taint and sun at some point.  I know.  I keep saying I'll write the taint care for chipstick but it hasn't happened yet.  suncare/sunscreen might happen right after, or before, or since everyone here has probably heard me talk about it before maybe never, but hell, it is important...  Spin time.  Be good.

Heddwch
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