Saw another bike commuter on my route this morning for the second day in a row, a first for me. Yesterday I was gaining on him until he ran a red light and then turned off my route. This morning, he buzzed past me at a red light just as it turned green. I'm not one to get my ego bruised, so I rode behind him for a while, but he was clearly new at cycling. He would pedal about 3 strokes and then coast -- on a flat stretch of road -- so I passed him and said good morning. Then I kicked it up a notch because that's what I do on that stretch of road.

I was tempted to ride beside him and chat a minute, but the road we were on is too busy for that. He was a young kid, probably high school or college age and riding to work. No helmet, gloves, lights or cycling clothes. If I see him again I might offer to give him a tail-light and some old cycling clothes. I'm afraid he'll get hit by a car dressed like he is.