I took a longish ride home yesterday. Less than a mile after the turnaround at the end of Lakeshore Drive, I passed a road warrior headed the other direction. I figured he would be turning around soon and hoped he would catch up with me as I headed into the wind. Sure enough, about a mile later I saw him gaining on me in my mirror. He cruised up next to me and started chatting. I was actually doing, for me into the wind, a respectable pace and could still converse with out too much huffing and puffing. He noted that I had only one pannier, or bag as he called it, (my Arkel UBP, Technogirl) and suggested that I needed another for balance. I took my hands off the bars to show him that balance wasn't the problem people seem to think it is. Your body compensates. In retrospect, I would like to have asked him how often he has ridden with panniers since he volunteered that he used to commute but never had a rack. Actually, I wouldn't have asked such a smartass question because I was enjoying the chat.

He said he used to have a mirror like mine until a close encounter with a vehicle cutting him off and popped the mirror out of the bar end, but he was able to maintain control. He actually chased down the driver, who stopped when he realized the chase was on. The driver accused the cyclist, who was riding a straight line in the right lane, of cutting HIM off. The cyclist said how about if they called the police to sort it out. The driver, who had obviously had a couple of drinks, quickly pulled out a $20 to reimburse the guy for the mirror.

After a few minutes we said goodbye and he eased ahead. Maybe one day I will be able to go 20 into a headwind. Sigh.