I was inspired to ride the heavy, but comfortable '97 drop-bar RockHopper yesterday.

I took my Willamette Street route downtown. The first half of this route used to be the first third of one of my routes to the old job. For over 25 years I have always cut through a parking to get from Bonfoy Avenue to Platte Avenue. About 10 years ago a cajun food truck set up residence in the lot with a seating area and a power cord across the lot, covered by a small, but pronounced "speed bump". Even when the truck was away, the bump remained. Not as annoying as a loud gas-powered electric generator, just a minor annoyance in the greater scheme of things, but for ten years I wished it gone. Well, sometime last spring it disappeared, and while I don't miss the bump, I started worrying about the owner...is he well?, is the business okay?...did he find a new spot? I just now looked up the food truck, and the website still lists the same location and has a note saying his vacation is over and the permits for a remodel have been granted...so I don't know what any of this means. I suppose I could call and ask.

On the way out from work I ran into a yet another young co-worker in the parking lot who was excited by my bike and the lights...but then, the youngsters are excited about everything...life, work, friends...everything is fresh and new to them...one of the things I like about this job.

My knees hurt a couple of times during the day, but luckily not during the load in/ load out at a morning video shoot. I worked a little late again and over-caffeinated a little bit. I felt strong and fast going home, even though its uphill and the RockHopper weighs almost as much as my two lightest bikes combined...I wondered if the caffeine contributed to feeling strong.

Yesterday I also realized I will be back on drop-bars for snow riding this winter after a year's absence, as I didn't convert the Rockhopper to drops till after snow season.

TLDR: Too many random thoughts.