ThinLine

I just turned 50 last month although I pass for late 30ish early 40's all the time when people quess.

Had a bad day at work on a senseless field trip to a customer, so I go home and decide to take a 20ish mile road ride. Temp about 81 degrees sunny and nice here in eastern Pa. Most of my rides are uneventful and smooth...............well...here comes one of the most hellish ride I had. Less than 1 mile into circuit a car pulls out infront of me, then gives me the finger......Ok, morans are everywhere. Next comes skateboarders who think the whole road is there's for daredevil stunts...jumping missel skateboards is a new one for me. Next comes semi affectionate dogs who want to lick/nibble at your calves at 19 mph...OK, I like dogs. Next comes teenage race car drivers carrening around corners unaware of anything in their paths......OK, I can menuver rather well.
17 miles passes and a squirrel feels like playing tag with his buddies in middle of street....excellent test of ultegra braking system. Nerves shot, I cruise home to find out I forgot to hit button on my computer.

Drank a beer, ate and went to bed...reading my new road bike action magazine...waiting for the ceiling fan to fall on my head.

Retro Grouch 

Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you.

Don't take it personally. All of those other people are just living their own lives trying to avoid being bear food too.

borgagain

The bright spot is that you can pass for 30ish, early 40s. I'm 50 and am usually judged to be around 65.

cranky old dude

Now think about all the little stunts that you and your bike
got in the way of and/or interupted and have a good chuckle.

Louis

Another bright spot is that you drank a beer.

Because of a bad day at work, you became hypersensitive and over analyzed everything that happened on your ride.

Drink more beer next time.

ilmooz

I felt bad for you up until you braked for the squirrels. Those little kamikazes are always looking for trouble and rarely merit the use of brakes.

ad6mj

Maybe a more relaxed ride after a bad day at work. Don't worry about the computer or your time, just tool around and unwind. Was it a good beer?

SKYLAB

Muy sympatico brother. But the up side is - you got in 20 miles on the bike! And those miles will make you that much more fit and stronger for the next time when you got out.

Retro Grouch 

I think so too. I actually think that it's best to aim at them because they'll be somewhere else by the time that you get there.

Yen

I hate to say that I was laughing hard while reading your story... but I was. It reminds me of that old driver's training video we watched in high school.... the one in which the view is from inside the car with the driver's perspective, and a ball rolls into the street with a kid chasing it, a person swings open a car door right before you, a dog runs out.... all on the same street and all to point out the importance of staying alert. Unfortunately, sometimes it seems as if you (and I) are the only alert ones out there! Glad you made it home safely and since you posted this morning, I'm assuming the ceiling fan didn't fall on your head last night. Your next ride can only be uphill (figuratively speaking) from here.

bobbycorno

...or to quote "Frank & Ernest",

"I used to try to take one day at a time, but lately several of them have been ganging up on me at once."

SP

BengeBoy 

Whoa! Last night I was commuting home from work and almost got hit by a Chevy Suburban roaring up a hill next to me (at least it felt that way - I'll bet I had less than 12 inches of room). Then, I turn the corner to start a 4-block, fast descent through downtown Seattle and I find myself sharing the bike lane with a skateboarder going 20 to 25 mph, hopping from the bike lane, up over the curb, down the sidewalk, back to the bike lane, around parked cars, etc. etc.

A new one for me, too! The guy was whacko; I just laid on the brakes, slowed way down, and let him go ahead. He blew 3 stoplights in the four blocks I was behind him.

BSLeVan

I don't know what the problem is. You did get to ride, didn't you? To borrow from a popular saying: "A bad day riding my bike is better than a good day at work." Just remember that this too shall pass.

Beverly

Turn the ceiling fan off....it does less damage if it isn't whirling

Some days are just tougher than others....tomorrow will be different.

ThinLine

Amusing and thoughtful replies. The beer was an amstel light, and yes, I agree the ride was worth it no matter what.
Thanks.

maddmaxx 

To have a better day............tomorrow ride the route in the other direction.

Catweazle

The day gets worse if you contemplate the fact that your days of being able to appease the ego in this fashion are soon to rapidly dissipate.

mustang1

But at least you got to ride your bike!

Chin up buddy!!

ThinLine

And that makes all the difference.....Head held high!