1st post in the How was the commute thread. Going in was casual but I was on the roads before 7am. Coming back was a bit of a chore. The city of Spokane is hosting Hoopfest; " the world's largest 3 on 3 basketball tourny" this weekend =/. Basically they shut down most of the streets downtown (where I work),....set up a bunch (a lot) of courts and let out of shape white people play ball (I'm stereotyping,...I'm sure not all of them were out of shape,....or white).

Basically all traffic was routed onto two oneway arterials through town. I went through the alleyways till I could find an open oneway that was free of basketball courts and traffic to head back to my neighborhood just west of downtown. Once I got through all of the Bball courts the remainder of the west end of town was clear.

Now there is also a round about (we have a few of those in this town) about two blocks from my building and as I approached it I took the lane going straight through the round about. I figured I was entitled (I hate that word) since traffic is supposed to slow down for the round about and the cobble that make up the crosswalk is lousy for traction. That didn't stop a cabby in a minivan from crowding out and passing me in the round about.

This is my first week of commuting and I am certainly getting a crash course in etiquette and the lack thereof by some drivers. This isn't gripe so much as a realization that I'm going to have to grow a thick skin, and ride defensively (about how I drive). Let me know if I'm in the wrong on the round about.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I met up with some salmon (they looked like pensioners) on the sidewalk. Luckily I was in the roadway were I was supposed to be and didn't risk hitting them. This was on the stretch heading into my neighborhood before I encountered the cabby. I wanted to say something to them but I'm still in the mind my own business mindset.