Since It was business related, guess yesterday's ride was considered a commute. My day off. I took bike and self on bus to my Phy.Therapists appointment..Afterwards was to ride the 25 miles from Vista to Solana Beach for Christmas shopping..Coming back my panniers were full...Still few more gifts to get for Christmas. About half done.
Beautiful ride. Sunny, Pacific coast was about 65 degrees F., not a trace of fog. Fair amount of cylcists out. All needed was arm warmers.
But the story begins when I got back to Carlsbad about 2 PM. Felt a long enough ride. Better take bus back to home.
First bus at transit center was late. Bus bike carrier had no space for extra bike. Took slower second bus to where I was to change buses. Got there. That bus had no extra space for bikes. Waited.one hour. Next bus same.Too many bikes upon arrival at my transit center to get last bus home.
Now almost 5 PM.
Well, I had enough of that. Rode home with a small, dim light. Opti Cube Cateye. In rough spots I walked since I was worried about makeup of bike lane. About 14 miles.
I did have a rear flashers on back bike, along with reflective ankle braclets.... Tried calling home to come and get retrieved. No answer.. A cyclist friend, I called was not home. Did get sworn at on way home along with a plastic cup thrown at me. It was very cold. Only had a light weight jacket in panniers along with arm warmers.
I have always been supportive of public transit..Each time I saw a public bus, I had a need to swear at it... One bus that passed me on way to Fallbrook had space for passengers but no bike space. Once a public bus let me board a bus with bike on(since he had empty seats) as long as I took my front wheel off, and place it between seats. No such luck.
So wonder if Santa has such an aggravating time, with his bags full on the sleigh. Today I have a sore throat. Such is life. Will get over it. Merry Christmas..My gift giving for my wife is about half done.. She wanted some stuff from a Provencal speciality store 25 miles away..
If had to drive a car to that location- just, that I rarely drive in that direction... It is my intention to do as much Christmas gift buying on a bike, same as last year.
Maybe we should all be more prepared and carry extra accessories in case of events such as this. Heavier jacket and better lights, I might have enjoyed it and gave a thumbs down to the bus driver, instead of a steady load of cursing. This bus could have accomdated a bike in the hadicap area, instead of making me wait out in the cold a whole hour.
ps- Moral of the story,Had I just rode back from Carlsbad mall, about 22 miles, I would have made it , probably just about dark and saved over two hours and had far less time in the dark.. Can't predict the future. Gets dark about 5 pm.