Bizarre day today (like most days on the bike I guess). Really, these are the best.

I passed someone this morning and suddenly did this gesture I'd never done before. I waved. I don't know why, but I just did. Sort of like to say:"Don't mind that I passed you, it wasn't to piss you off, just because I'm late for a meeting" or "If this is your first time getting passed by someone going at a decent speed, you did a good job, no swearving, no nothing, really keep up the good work." (That person didn't look like a very experienced cyclist. I could be wrong, though...)

Then something very strange happened. I came to an intersection, down a steep hill at 45 km/hr and didn't really look at the light. When I realized I had to stop, I put the brakes full on and stopped just inches away from pedestrians about to cross the street. I apologized and, surprisingly, they smiled and thanked me for realizing my mistake. Usually I just get yelled at... even when I come in very slowly, that's it's 100% clear I've seen them and that I stop a whole foot in front. I don't know how far they want me to stop, but really...

Then I saw my first lefty fork and it just made me wonder, deeply and genuinely, "Why would you design a fork like that?"

And if someone can answer that question, I'd appreciate. I'm a mechanical engineer and the only reason I could come up with right now is "Because it looks cool." I say this with some reserve. I haven't really worked out the problem, but I don't see how you'd save weight (must be built stronger to resist the new torque and the doubled load) or improve stability by that much...