conditions have been a little tighter than usual on my route home, making for slow riding towards the 59th st bridge.
i often try to pace skinny riders as a form of motivation to push harder. i do have a competitive nature so for me it's the best way to keep me from being complacent in my commuting efforts. i guess i'm sort of racing but at the same time well aware that as a 260lb clydesdale, carrying maybe 25-30 pounds on my back, most guys can dust me off without too much trouble.
if a guy my height of average build wants to race.... sure after you strap on 50lb sandbag and a 30lb backpack, lol. XD
coming off the bridge i had a skinny guy (no pack/pannier [no lights either]) on a comfort bike perched 15 feet in the air grinning like an idiot, who just sailed past me up a small hill. no way i couldve caught him.
up ahead i caught up to a young dude, probably half my weight, on a fixie with toe cages [no lights]. he didnt seem to like the fact that due to traffic, i was basically pacing him. he came up hard on a red light, with many peds crossing, including small children. he had to skid multiple times to stop, and thankfully did so but precariously close to people. he made some inoffensive comment regarding the fact that i was keeping up with him and told him i like to try to keep up with the skinny guys. light changes, he says, "let's go!", and we took off up a hill. i was about two car lengths behind him when i got caught at a light, and dude was gone. i wish i would of had more of a chance to try keep up with him.... oh well. maybe next time.
near the end of my ride there is a pitted, busy, highly residential block, with many children scurrying about.
today on this same block a mother, who was standing in the middle of the street basically let her children run right out across the street in front of me. i had time to stop, but just barely. i was flabbergasted. i just dont understand how people can be so careless.
all THAT being said, i hope it rains tomorrow, so i can test out the boots and jacket i recently purchased.
