I subbed today in my old shift at my old library branch. I was working along, doing some sort of Important Library Stuff, when a guy carrying a small child on his shoulders came up to the desk and said, "Hey, you're TSL, right?"

Caught out-of-context, it took me a second to realize that, yes, I am. "Uh, yeah," I replied. (I need a better writer for my dialog.)

He introduced himself as BFN member and commuter, RobertFrapples. "That's not my real name," he shared.

"That's good, because TSL isn't mine either."

Unfortunately, Saturdays are the busiest days at the library, so I couldn't break away for much more than a hi-how-are-ya. Didn't even get to introduce him to Yellow Bike, who was parked back in the staff room.

Interestingly, we're both four-seasons, all-conditions commuters and we live less than five minutes walk (a minute or two ride time) apart. We'll have to get together soon to really talk bikes and routes. And snow.

Wow. Real life and message board life collide. Without cracking the time/space continuum. That's a positive thing!

I sold a recumbent to a local fellow who sometimes visits the BF 'bent forum and also the bentrideronline forum. Besides him, I take it on good faith that everyone else (well, maybe not everyone) on BF and BROL are actual folks.

I think I'd recognize you, too, but no way in hell would I have remembered your screen name.

There are a lot of BF subscribers here in Boston, and as a solo rider, when I encounter another cyclist and have a chance to ride along, I will soon mention BF, hoping to meet some local posters, perhaps with whom I have exchanged PM’s.

Just this past Monday was a group ride on the Boston Marathon route before the race:

BTW, Mr. Snow Man, yesterday I declared winter finished in Boston with my first training ride of the season, and removal of the studded tires.

i'm still hoping to run into Jim from Boston one of these days, as our commuting routes run in opposite directions (I'm Westwood to E. Cambridge, he's Kenmore Sq. to Norwood). I will have to start getting up at 5 though...

Hey mtm,

Thanks for the note. See my PM about my various routes.

Sincerely,

Jim

lol It's sort of how I met UMD, but I was more awkward.

I could think of crazier things that might happen, like:

Hurtling down the bike path one day, a sleek Colnago comes out of nowhere and clips my pannier sending it and me into nearby bushes.
The Colnago owner spins around and pulls me out of the bushes.

Colnago: Hey aren't you gerv? Aren't you the curmudgeon who posts on BF? Man you look so much older than your avatar!
Gerv[still writhing in pain]: Where did you learn to ride, you *****!
Colnago: I especially liked your thread on blah-blah-blah. That was pretty good.
Gerv: Do you have a cell phone? Could you call an ambulance, please?
Colnago: You old guys should be more careful on the trail, man, especially on Ride Day.

Hopefully it'll never happen.

That is a cool story, I love message boards & I am a active member of 3 community's, BF, a tractor forum, & a Bodybuilding forum. I was given a plow for my tractor by a local member last fall out of the goodness of his heart. It is only a matter of time before I run into Jim from Boston as I run on some of the same weekend routes, I am sure he will recognize my bike before I recognize him, It is different looking. The Internet has opened the world to people we would never cross paths with out it. It is always a pleasure to meet the real people behind the text

If you don't mind me saying, that's probably quite an unusual combination of forums to contribute to! Yay for diverse interests!

I agree totally with the second half of what you said.

Hi Timber_8,

Thanks for the nice comment. If things go according to schedule, I should be riding in the West Bridgewater-Easton-Mansfield area on some Saturday mornings begining in mid May. My bike is a green and cream colored Bridgestone, but in passing is probably an otherwise non-descript road bike. I also wear an orange helmet. I don't recall a description of your bike though.

Jim

Took the blue pill, eh?

Back to sleep, now, Coppertop.

What is this... real world?

Yea, good story! I made a new friend that way but he saw my bike and asked if I was mechanicalron! He found me at my work,,, fun!

You need to spend more time on the forums with us, he he he!

Well we can't have you not recognizing the ride there Jim, Let me introduce you to the cyclops. I do only use the Caradise computer bag commuting but other than that there she is. I would love to tag along a few miles with ya. I just did East Bridgewater to Mansfield and back this Sunday. I live about a mile from the Bike Barn in Whitman.

I was a bodybuilder for 15 years, still am I guess, It is a lifestyle but like anything it has good years and bad years. Bicycle commuting is actually motivated by my bodybuilding. Bodybuilding has taken a back seat on the priority list the last 2 years do to the economy and corporate responsibility's. I grew up farming, my dad was a commercial farmer by trade. I have a small homestead farm on a modest piece of land with a stable and paddock and some pasture. I sold my horses last fall ( sore spot) but I have a nice little Kabota tractor to maintain my farm. I am the New England division manager of my company and my responsibility to my employees & company have taken there tole on some of my passions. That all said I have a wonderful life & I have a lot to be grateful for. In my busy life I have found great satisfaction with interaction in these internet communities.

Hey Timber_8,

Thanks for your reply to me, and for your gracious comments in the second post quoted. I'll send a PM when I do my next ride down your way.

Jim

Thank you Jim, please do I would enjoy that very much

This morning on the VFW parkway I encountered a well-appointed strong rider and rode with him for about a mile. We chatted and as we came near our split in the road, I asked him, as I usually do, had he heard of Bike Forums? He did and posted rarely. I introduced myself as “Jim from Boston,’ and he pointed and said, “I read your posts all the time. See you later on the Forums.”

He introduced himself, but what I heard was an unfamiliar phrase that I searched for phonetically but couldn't find.

This isn't a commuting story, but I thought I'd share it.

While riding from Pittsburgh to DC in August 2008 I met a heavy-set rider at Ohiopyle. Since we were both headed to Confluence to camp for the night we left together. After a few minutes of talking he asked me if I was "The Historian." Turns out he followed my posts on the Clydesdale and Touring Forums.