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November 17, 2006
bike luv 
On the heels of the foreign lady in Beijing story, I have to share some unexpected bike love.
I rode home tonight, as I do four nights a week. While the ride to work is relaxing and invigorating, the ride home can be a bit of a test. For a while, I was trying to get to the point where I would not yell, mouth, or think, motherf*^&%^r when a car would buzz me or another bicyclist would sweep by with no warning. I'm still trying to get into that lovingkindness place. The hills aren't so bad any more. No one's offered to push me up one in maybe a month or more.
So today, I'm riding up the hill by the Rose Quarter. It's not too bad of a hill, though it does come right after climbing the hill from the river. I'm relaxed, hell, I'm even enjoying the rise. A trimet bus goes by, and, gasp, gives me lots of room. Doesn't pull one of those, you're in my way, so I'm gonna go by you really fast. We pull up at the light together. The light turns green, and again, the bus driver is graceful, respectful. He pulls over to let some one off, then looks very carefully to see where I am, to see if any other cyclists have ridden up. He crosses back into the lane he needs to be in, and we both stop at the light.
I'm just floating in this warm bath of endorphins. Someone didn't try to scare the crap out of me! He opens his door, and thanks me for having lights on my bike and wearing a reflective jacket. I thank him for being a considerate driver, and say that I don't envy him his job. My g-d, it's a friggin' love fest.
He pulled through the light, and that was the end of that. But it was such a nice experience that I needed to share it.
...
There's not a lot to tell for the last couple of weeks. I feel like I've been on a dead run lately between work and school. Bicycling back and forth has been a consistent high point, even when it rains. I've been riding the 24-speed, figured out how to keep the panniers on the bike (it's so simple it's embarrassing that I hadn't figured earlier), and actually added lights and a bell. All I need is a basket and I'm all set.
Posted at November 17, 2006
Comments
And the lamb laid down with the lion. Good stuff!
Posted by: Lara at November 18, 2006 4:23 PM
I'm afraid that under similar circumstances, I would be foreign lady. I'm quite bossy. Makes the husband very nervous.
Posted by: Misty at November 20, 2006 5:55 PM
It's always so wonderful when we get those sudden, unexpected bits of pleasantry and courtesy, isn't it? It's just so sad that it's such a pleasant "surprise."
Posted by: Misty at December 4, 2006 5:52 AM