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Old 05-18-17 | 08:59 AM
  #1188  
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noglider
aka Tom Reingold
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,127
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Yesterday I rode in pretty hard, and my body was tired. Upon leaving work, I told myself to take it easy on the way home. That wasn't entirely possible, as I had a heavy crosswind which felt just like a headwind. Not only that, I left quite late, around 7pm, and by then, most of the people on my route (on foot and on bike) were there for enjoyment, not commuting. It was the first hot day of spring, and thousands of people were out there.

Sometimes I get frustrated at how people don't respect the bike path and our speed. They don't look before crossing the path and whatever. But I realize they are there to have a good time, and hypervigilance cannot and should not be on their minds. Over the years, I've developed more alertness and skill than the average person, so I shouldn't resent people who don't have those things. I should use them for good. With generosity, I looked after their wellbeings even as they didn't look after mine or their own. I had to ride slowly around them. A preschooler ran out in front of cyclists, escaping his father's grip. We slowed to keep him safe as his father ran after him. These things are bound to happen, so we have to be ready for them. And those who are old enough to know better don't know better, so I'll treat them as if they're children, and I'll try to do so graciously. I'm tired of my resentment of imperfect conditions.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

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